Before a marathon it helps me to recap my training, to sort of remind myself what I’ve accomplished and that I am ready and physically capable of meeting my goals in the marathon. I’ll do my training recap post soon.
This whole marathon thing has been (and continues to be) a huge learning process for me. Little Rock will be #6. Each marathon that I’ve done has presented different challenges and been such a unique experience. I’m excited to see what #6 will bring!
This time I’m also going to do a “marathon recap” post, since most of my old race reports, etc. are on my old blogspot runnin-from-the-law blog. I’ve learned so much from each marathon that I think it will be a good reminder for me to recap them. And for those blog readers who are new, you can read about my marathon history.
So here goes:
Marathon #1:Twin Cities Marathon October 2008 (4:27:17)
- Training plan: Low Heart Rate, with one tempo a week
- Weather: 49 degrees and very heavy rain for first 8 miles, then temps/cloud cover ok, but I was frozen and injured.
- Goal: BQ (3:45). Felt that I was trained for it, but didn’t have the mental confidence to push through pain.
- Issues: Right foot to thigh issue about mile 7. Walked on and off through finish.
- What I Learned: That I CAN finish a marathon.
- F-bombs: On and off from mile 7 til Summit; Constant from Summit til finish.
Marathon #2: Grandma’s Marathon June 2009 (4:17:15)
- Training plan: Daniels A 18 week/65 mile max
- Weather: HOT (mid-60’s start – 80’s finish) and full sun
- Goal: BQ (3:45). On pace through about mile 14, but sun/heat killed me; I knew it would, but I wanted to try to hang on as long as I could.
- Issues: Developedright IT band issue about mile 15.5. Ended up walking a ton between mile 17 and end.
- What I Learned: That I’m not a quitter.
- F-Bombs: Pretty much constant, increasing as the temps rose!
Marathon #3: Twin Cities Marathon October 2009 (3:56:49)
- Training plan: Started Pfitz 12/70. After two weeks jumped into Daniels A 65 mile max
- Weather: Pretty much ideal. 42 and partly cloudy at start. Clouds throughout.
- Goal: BQ (3:45). On pace through about mile 17. Then calves cramped up.
- Issues: BOTH calves cramped up at mile 19. I think I didn’t fuel properly and was dehydrated. Calves and IT bands on both legs hurt for remainder.
- What I Learned: That I need to fuel properly and stay hydrated throughout the entire marathon.
- F-Bombs: From mile 17 til end, constant. So demoralized!
Marathon # 4: Illinois Marathon April 2010 (3:59:28)
- Training Plan: Pfitz 18/55 (modified to add an extra run; started it 17 weeks out)
- Weather: Uggg. HOT again! Low 60’s at start, mid-70’s and full sun at end.
- Goal: BQ (3:45). On pace through about mile 18, then started feeling the weather and slowing down, so backed off to a comfortable pace (I was planning on doing Grandma’s Marathon in 8 weeks, so wanted to save myself).
- Issues: No real issues, finally! Just wasn’t happening because of the heat.
- What I Learned: Sometimes its smarter to back off the pace and save the legs for a better day.
- F-Bombs: Just a few sprinkled in randomly in the last few miles, from general marathon pain.
Marathon #5: Twin Cities Marathon October 2010 (3:49:41) (BQ for 2012!)
- Training Plan: Pfitz 12/55 (modified to add an extra run)
- Weather: Pretty much ideal. 40 at start, high 50 something at finish.
- Goal: BQ (3:45 for 2011 or 3:50, since i would be 40 in 2012). On pace through about 20, then slowly started falling apart. Miles 21 -23 were way too slow. Realized at 23.5 that I could still qualify for 2012 so found a magic gear and kicked it in for last few miles. So fun!
- Issues: None, just tired and so slowed about mile 21 (plus there is evil hill mile 21 – 23)
- What I Learned: That there really is a magical gear that kicks in when it’s needed.
- F-Bombs: None!
This is such a great idea. I enjoyed reading your recaps. And the F-bomb counter…hysterical!
Nice recap! And great to see the progress you’ve made! GO get ’em in Arkansas!
Love the F-bomb counter as well! Go go go Cindi!