Ran my first marathon despite cancellation of NYC
redredy9
Posts: 706 Member
There was so much drama surrounding the Sandy/NYC Marathon/Cancellation that I am going to skip over that part.
On to the race report:
I was a fortunately able to get into the Harrisburg PA Marathon which took place this Sunday only 1 week after my originally scheduled marathon. So my training was only a week off. I ran 10 on NYC marathon day and then extended my taper. It felt strange to have 2 weeks of so little running after all the training. I was sure I wasn't going to be ready despite having a team of experienced veteran coaches guiding my training program.
Harrisburg was a much smaller race. Instead of 47,000 runners there were only about 2,000. About 1,000 of them were displaced NYers. Harrisburg and its residents were really great about welcoming us. There were lots of signs supporting us along the course.
The course was advertised as flat and fast and for the most part it was. It started on City Island and crossed the river several times.
I made the classic rookie mistake of starting out too fast. I had started training back in July with an 11:00 minute mile goal but as I trained I got faster after running a 2:04 half, I was really hoping to do a 4:30 marathon (10:15 minute mile). I started the race with the 4:30 pace group and felt pretty good for the first 8-10 miles. Around mile 13 I had to let them go ahead but kept up an average 10:20 minute mile through the first 17 miles or so until the HILLS! Hidden in a wooded park was a series of short but steep HILLS! The up and down, up and down killed me. I tried to keep my pace instead of slowing down to get up the hills and paid the price for the remainder of the race.
Miles 20-26.2 were tough. I wanted to quit. I gradually slowed down from a 10:30 minute mile to a 13:00 and saw my average pace creeping up towards 11:00 minute miles but I kept moving. I was tried. I was thirsty. I felt like all the shock absorbers in my knees had worn through but I figured that even if I quit - one way or another I would have to get myself to the finish line and running was the fastest way to get there. It was the only thing that kept me going. I wanted to finish so I could stop running!
Eventually I slogged my way through the last few miles and crossed the finish line at 4:49:24 - or 11:03 minutes per mile. Immediately after the race I was tired and hurting and could barely think. I stumbled around gathering food at the finishers area but couldn't eat it. I just wanted to lie down but had to climb some stairs and walk to get to the car. Thankfully after my post-race shower I felt much better. By the time I got back to NYC that evening I was sore but not dramatically. By Monday I felt good - I had the day off and went shopping. I was only a little sore. Tired over all but not in pain.
Today I feel great. I haven't gone running again yet - but only because I overslept this morning. I am hoping to so for a short run tonight when I get home.
Yeah - I wish I had finished faster but I am still pretty happy with my time and the accomplishment inherent in just finishing the race. I learned some important lessons about pacing and running a smart race (basically everything my coaches had told me!). I am already looking forward to my next Marathon and can't wait to do it again!
I am a MARATHONER!!!
On to the race report:
I was a fortunately able to get into the Harrisburg PA Marathon which took place this Sunday only 1 week after my originally scheduled marathon. So my training was only a week off. I ran 10 on NYC marathon day and then extended my taper. It felt strange to have 2 weeks of so little running after all the training. I was sure I wasn't going to be ready despite having a team of experienced veteran coaches guiding my training program.
Harrisburg was a much smaller race. Instead of 47,000 runners there were only about 2,000. About 1,000 of them were displaced NYers. Harrisburg and its residents were really great about welcoming us. There were lots of signs supporting us along the course.
The course was advertised as flat and fast and for the most part it was. It started on City Island and crossed the river several times.
I made the classic rookie mistake of starting out too fast. I had started training back in July with an 11:00 minute mile goal but as I trained I got faster after running a 2:04 half, I was really hoping to do a 4:30 marathon (10:15 minute mile). I started the race with the 4:30 pace group and felt pretty good for the first 8-10 miles. Around mile 13 I had to let them go ahead but kept up an average 10:20 minute mile through the first 17 miles or so until the HILLS! Hidden in a wooded park was a series of short but steep HILLS! The up and down, up and down killed me. I tried to keep my pace instead of slowing down to get up the hills and paid the price for the remainder of the race.
Miles 20-26.2 were tough. I wanted to quit. I gradually slowed down from a 10:30 minute mile to a 13:00 and saw my average pace creeping up towards 11:00 minute miles but I kept moving. I was tried. I was thirsty. I felt like all the shock absorbers in my knees had worn through but I figured that even if I quit - one way or another I would have to get myself to the finish line and running was the fastest way to get there. It was the only thing that kept me going. I wanted to finish so I could stop running!
Eventually I slogged my way through the last few miles and crossed the finish line at 4:49:24 - or 11:03 minutes per mile. Immediately after the race I was tired and hurting and could barely think. I stumbled around gathering food at the finishers area but couldn't eat it. I just wanted to lie down but had to climb some stairs and walk to get to the car. Thankfully after my post-race shower I felt much better. By the time I got back to NYC that evening I was sore but not dramatically. By Monday I felt good - I had the day off and went shopping. I was only a little sore. Tired over all but not in pain.
Today I feel great. I haven't gone running again yet - but only because I overslept this morning. I am hoping to so for a short run tonight when I get home.
Yeah - I wish I had finished faster but I am still pretty happy with my time and the accomplishment inherent in just finishing the race. I learned some important lessons about pacing and running a smart race (basically everything my coaches had told me!). I am already looking forward to my next Marathon and can't wait to do it again!
I am a MARATHONER!!!
0
Replies
-
COngratulations on your amazing achievement! Nothing beats that feeling.
0 -
Congrats! Way to get it done.
The marathon is an exercise in patience. You have to keep it slow otherwise it will come back to bite you big time later in the race. Then it become a geometric issue, 30 seconds per mile too fast at mile 5 might result in slowing down by 2:00 per mile at mile 18.0 -
YIPPEE!!! CONGRATS TO YOU!0
-
Congrats! Way to get it done.
The marathon is an exercise in patience. You have to keep it slow otherwise it will come back to bite you big time later in the race. Then it become a geometric issue, 30 seconds per mile too fast at mile 5 might result in slowing down by 2:00 per mile at mile 18.
My coaches said the same but I am stubborn and had to find out the hard way. LOL. I will definately remember this for my next long race.
Thanks everyone.
I did go for a short slow run last night and it felt great to be moving again. My muscles are still tired but not sore. I am generally pretty tired overall. I took a 1.5 hour nap before that run last night & I am not a napper. I am looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday!0
This discussion has been closed.