My first full marathon...

Wishing you loads of luck for a successful run! Not meant to be a pun, but you've made great strides in becoming healthier. :thup

Best wishes,
Jim
 
The best laid plans of mice and marathoners.

I had a "perfect" plan. I was going to go out at an easy 10 min/mile pace for mile 1, then run 9mins/mile through mile 13 or 14 and then, if I felt good, try to take it up a notch to 8:30/mile and hopefully finish at 3:55 ish. Well, the plan was great - the performance didn't match it. I did mile 1 with the 4:10 pace group and hit it at about 9:30ish. I caught the 4:00 pace group around mile 3 and figured I'd just settle in with them until mile 13 or 14 and if things felt good, pick it up then. I was right on pace with the group through mile 13 and 14 and then felt like it might be best to just stick with the pace group until much later in the race. I just didn't feel like I could go away from them.

I stuck with the 4 hour pace group through mile 20 but by then things had warmed up quite a bit and I was feeling the heat. So bottom line, I broke down around mile 20 and lost contact with the 4 hour pace group. I walked a good bit between miles 20 and 23. Two minutes here and there and then by mile 24 seemed to get things back a bit more under control. I knew that 4 hours was long gone but I was willing to settle for 4:0something. So I ran with brief walk break through miles 24 and 25. Some time around mile 25.7, the 4:10 pacer caught up to me and there was no way I was going to be over 4:10. So I picked my pace up a good bit and sprinted the last 1/2 mile to the finish. My watch time was 4:09:00 So, not exactly the sub 4 hour first marathon I wanted, but not too far off the goal pace.

So, I'm a little sore this evening and I will be losing at least one toe nail (this is common for marathon runners). But I'm feeling OK and will be just fine in a couple of days.
 
You ran 26 miles? How many years did you go to school??

That is amazing, Roger. Congratulations. I truly admire your dedication to your goals.
 
Roger, Congratulations on finishing, in anytime. Not to be downplayed. You have come a long way, and have done it very well.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Hey Roger Man!!! Congrats. Job well done. Brother...now, if ya need a buck or two for fuel please let me know. :mrgreen: :beer :beer ...to drive a bit rather than all that running I mean.

Toe nails are over rated anyway and in the morning, you will have a better appreciation for just being able to walk...kinda.... Good luck on your recovery day(s).

Moderation does suck at times... and, you gave her a hellofa go!

Now, get back to safe, comfortable, healthy boating.

Byrdman
 
Congrats!! Nice work. I know that a 4:09 is not a sub-4:00 in your mind, but a 4:09 is basically the same as 4:00. I've done a few Marathon's and my best was 4:26 and I'm doing another (26.2 trail run) in a few weeks with no plans/thoughts of going under 4:00.

Now recovery time...
 
Congratulations, Roger! I am in awe of anyone who can finish a marathon... period. That is an amazing achievement. And to do it in 4 hours and 9 minutes is very impressive. Sounds to me like you ran a very calculated race. From the perspective of ALL of us here, you weren't 9 minutes behind, you EXCELLED. All that training and healthy eating is an inspiration. It makes me think that perhaps... no, I think I'll have some ice cream and go lay down until that thought passes. :wink:

Very impressive, my friend. :thup :thup

Best wishes,
Jim
 
What was that noise???
Was it Roger attempting to move today without a toe nail?
Roger... I am proud of you. I do hope you have a smooth recovery and you do inspire some of us too.
In fact, I was going to watch the sail boat race today...but it got canceled...so, I will have to wait until Wednesday I think now for any coverage.

Know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers during your recovery time. Those 800 Motrin were life savers after extended marches and "fun runs" up and down the hills on Ft. Knox, Ft. Gordan, and some other "exotic" places I have been able to "travel" on the LPCs... leather personnel carriers... before they let us wear tennis shoes to run. Ya gotta love their take care of the troops mentality.

Have a Gatoraide on me. Pick any color....or any other beverage of choice. :beer :thup :smiled

Byrdman
 
Byrdman":1s5luuj9 said:
OK Roger...we see you are moving about a bit... Welcome back to life. How ya feeling?

Pretty good - I needed some ibuprofen to move semi normally on Monday AM but was free of that by Tues. Did a quick 3 mile run yesterday and will do another few miles today. I think by Sat., I'll pretty much be back to normal (at least what I pass off as normal). Then starting next Tues, I'll be back on a serious diet and running some every day until I drop another 15 lbs or so. They say you gain 2s/mile for each pound lost so the quickest way for me to get faster on my next marathon will be to drop more weight.
 
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