1/2 Marathon report "long"
Hi guys,
Sunday I ran my first 1/2 marathon. Got up 5:30 am took a s**t,shower and a shave. Ate a usual breakfast of a low carb yogurt with Kashi Go Lean high protein cereal, added milled flax seed and walnuts, oh and I also put a small container of applesauce in it.
It was in the mid 40's so I wore and long sleeve compression shirt under a regular cotton t-shirt and running shorts. Seemed like I was going in circles, I had laid most stuff out the night before but still ended up leaving later than I wanted. Good thing it was only a 12 to 15 minute drive. I made it in 10, so I had about 20 minutes to warm up and find a spot. It started 2 blocks from where I work so that's where I parked.
Walked for about 6 or 7 minutes and then started to slowly jog for a few minutes and then just before time to line up picked it up did a couple of sprints. For some reason they had all the Marathoners start about a block behind the 1/2 marathoners. Real close to a 1000 people I was told. Any way, we started in the middle of a four lane street with 3 lanes blocked off for a couple of blocks then going down to 2 and then down to one. Everyone just fell in where ever they wanted, so it took several blocks to sort things out and it wasn't very long the fastest marathoners were working there way around us.
I started out just creeping and then finally got into about a 8:30 minute pace. I had to keep track of my pace because I kept wanting to run faster. I would catch myself running at a 8:00 minute pace and tell my self to slow down. I was afraid that the long sleeve compression shirt would get to hot and it did, should have worn a short sleeve one. I also was wearing some gloves because my hands get cold so easy, at about the 5 mile mark I shed the gloves, could have done with out them altogether. I have read to dress as though you are running at a temperature 10 to 15 degrees warm than what the temp really is. Other than being a little hot and my ribs still hurting from falling down during last weeks long run everything else was good.
We had one incident where this guy in a pick up truck got tired of waiting for a chance to get through the runners and just pulled out in front of us. We all came to a screeching halt. Needless to say heated words and gestures were exchanged but no one was hurt and he went on. I carried a 8 oz bottle of sport drink with me so I wouldn't have to deal with the crowds at the tables and tried to stick with what I was doing in practice and had a couple of gels with me as well. Everything went fine till about mile 11 and I could feel a little twinge in my calf wanting to cramp, but it wasn't to the point where I need to stop and stretch or start walking, besides I was right on track to complete it at 2 hours or better. The last mile I had to slow down a little and concentrate on keeping my toes up to keep my calf muscle stretched out.
The last mile goes through Marshall University's campus. You may have seen the movie "We Are Marshall", we went through campus and into the football stadium around the field to the far end and right down the middle of the field to the finish. As you start down the field they had a former Marshall football player who played in the NFL handing you a football to carry across the finish line if you want, for the life of me I can't remember who he is. I just waved him off I just wanted to get across the finish line with out getting a cramp and falling on my face.
It is pretty unique coming into the stadium and having the crowd cheer you on. There were lots of people on the field and some in the bleachers. Official time 2:00:56, my watch 2:00:24, either way 9:14 pace. The difference was at the start they started the timer with the starters gun, our timing chip did not start the timer for each person, it did stop it at the finish line. I am pleased with my time, I really wanted to be under the 2 hour mark but I didn't miss it by much.
This was the first time my wife came to one of my races. She seemed to be impressed. I don't know what she thought I had been doing for the last 10 months or so. It was nice to have her there and yes I told her so.
Didn't mean to be so long winded but when I read the other accounts of races I really enjoy the ones that go into detail, only wish I was as good a writer as some of you are.
Went out for my 2 mile walk at lunch today and I wanted to run so bad it was not funny. What is wrong with me? I am only a little sore and I did run for a block or two. Today is supposed to be a rest day. May have to do a short easy run this evening.
Next Saturday back to training for 26.2.
pan head
Sunday I ran my first 1/2 marathon. Got up 5:30 am took a s**t,shower and a shave. Ate a usual breakfast of a low carb yogurt with Kashi Go Lean high protein cereal, added milled flax seed and walnuts, oh and I also put a small container of applesauce in it.
It was in the mid 40's so I wore and long sleeve compression shirt under a regular cotton t-shirt and running shorts. Seemed like I was going in circles, I had laid most stuff out the night before but still ended up leaving later than I wanted. Good thing it was only a 12 to 15 minute drive. I made it in 10, so I had about 20 minutes to warm up and find a spot. It started 2 blocks from where I work so that's where I parked.
Walked for about 6 or 7 minutes and then started to slowly jog for a few minutes and then just before time to line up picked it up did a couple of sprints. For some reason they had all the Marathoners start about a block behind the 1/2 marathoners. Real close to a 1000 people I was told. Any way, we started in the middle of a four lane street with 3 lanes blocked off for a couple of blocks then going down to 2 and then down to one. Everyone just fell in where ever they wanted, so it took several blocks to sort things out and it wasn't very long the fastest marathoners were working there way around us.
I started out just creeping and then finally got into about a 8:30 minute pace. I had to keep track of my pace because I kept wanting to run faster. I would catch myself running at a 8:00 minute pace and tell my self to slow down. I was afraid that the long sleeve compression shirt would get to hot and it did, should have worn a short sleeve one. I also was wearing some gloves because my hands get cold so easy, at about the 5 mile mark I shed the gloves, could have done with out them altogether. I have read to dress as though you are running at a temperature 10 to 15 degrees warm than what the temp really is. Other than being a little hot and my ribs still hurting from falling down during last weeks long run everything else was good.
We had one incident where this guy in a pick up truck got tired of waiting for a chance to get through the runners and just pulled out in front of us. We all came to a screeching halt. Needless to say heated words and gestures were exchanged but no one was hurt and he went on. I carried a 8 oz bottle of sport drink with me so I wouldn't have to deal with the crowds at the tables and tried to stick with what I was doing in practice and had a couple of gels with me as well. Everything went fine till about mile 11 and I could feel a little twinge in my calf wanting to cramp, but it wasn't to the point where I need to stop and stretch or start walking, besides I was right on track to complete it at 2 hours or better. The last mile I had to slow down a little and concentrate on keeping my toes up to keep my calf muscle stretched out.
The last mile goes through Marshall University's campus. You may have seen the movie "We Are Marshall", we went through campus and into the football stadium around the field to the far end and right down the middle of the field to the finish. As you start down the field they had a former Marshall football player who played in the NFL handing you a football to carry across the finish line if you want, for the life of me I can't remember who he is. I just waved him off I just wanted to get across the finish line with out getting a cramp and falling on my face.
It is pretty unique coming into the stadium and having the crowd cheer you on. There were lots of people on the field and some in the bleachers. Official time 2:00:56, my watch 2:00:24, either way 9:14 pace. The difference was at the start they started the timer with the starters gun, our timing chip did not start the timer for each person, it did stop it at the finish line. I am pleased with my time, I really wanted to be under the 2 hour mark but I didn't miss it by much.
This was the first time my wife came to one of my races. She seemed to be impressed. I don't know what she thought I had been doing for the last 10 months or so. It was nice to have her there and yes I told her so.
Didn't mean to be so long winded but when I read the other accounts of races I really enjoy the ones that go into detail, only wish I was as good a writer as some of you are.
Went out for my 2 mile walk at lunch today and I wanted to run so bad it was not funny. What is wrong with me? I am only a little sore and I did run for a block or two. Today is supposed to be a rest day. May have to do a short easy run this evening.
Next Saturday back to training for 26.2.
pan head
Thanks,
I started out walking, didn't even want to run. One day little over a year ago my grandson and I was playing with warter guns in the yard and I ran away from him so I wouldn't get wet. I did it with out even thinking. My granson said Poppy you can run! Damn if I couldn't! That is what put it in my mind. Later on as I was walking I got where I could walk at a brisk pace and it was geting easy. I first started jogging across the street at intersections. Then I would jog part way down the block when no one was around. Before you know it I was doing a whole block. That is the way I started. I eventually joined a fitness center at the end of last year and I would go and walk on the treadmill.
One of the best things I did was go to a running store and get fitted for the right type of shoe. I never knew that there was different types of shoes until some one here wrote about it. Did some reasearch on line and basicly knew what type of shoe I needed but wanted some one who knew what they were doing to confirm it. The place I went to is just a local store. They had me try on three differen brands of shoes and eventually get on a treadmill and walk or if I wanted run in them. The guy told me if it hadn't been raining outside they would have me to go out for a short run.
The first race I did was March 22, of this year. I ran a 5K and thought I was going to die! I ran the whole way with out stopping. After that I was hooked.
It's still hard to believe that I can run as far as I can. At first I limited myself because I could not wrap my head around running for 16 miles, that is what I ran a week ago.
My advice is to start slow, but don't limit yourself. Keep setting new goals as your fitness improves.
pan head
I started out walking, didn't even want to run. One day little over a year ago my grandson and I was playing with warter guns in the yard and I ran away from him so I wouldn't get wet. I did it with out even thinking. My granson said Poppy you can run! Damn if I couldn't! That is what put it in my mind. Later on as I was walking I got where I could walk at a brisk pace and it was geting easy. I first started jogging across the street at intersections. Then I would jog part way down the block when no one was around. Before you know it I was doing a whole block. That is the way I started. I eventually joined a fitness center at the end of last year and I would go and walk on the treadmill.
One of the best things I did was go to a running store and get fitted for the right type of shoe. I never knew that there was different types of shoes until some one here wrote about it. Did some reasearch on line and basicly knew what type of shoe I needed but wanted some one who knew what they were doing to confirm it. The place I went to is just a local store. They had me try on three differen brands of shoes and eventually get on a treadmill and walk or if I wanted run in them. The guy told me if it hadn't been raining outside they would have me to go out for a short run.
The first race I did was March 22, of this year. I ran a 5K and thought I was going to die! I ran the whole way with out stopping. After that I was hooked.
It's still hard to believe that I can run as far as I can. At first I limited myself because I could not wrap my head around running for 16 miles, that is what I ran a week ago.
My advice is to start slow, but don't limit yourself. Keep setting new goals as your fitness improves.
pan head
Thanks, Scott.
I think it is loosing to much salt while running. Both times I have had cramps I have literally been covered in salt. I mean crusty with salt crystals. It was the strangest thing Yesterday. My forehead and around my eyes were white. My wife commented about it and when I looked in a mirror I was amazed.
I also read on runnersworld.com that we need sport drinks with calories and carbs. The carbs get the minerals into the system faster. I have been useing the no calorie stuff, so I am going to try something else. May even try taking a salt tablet. We have them in our first aide boxes at work. They call them Electrolyte Tabs, but they are mainly salt. Potassium chloride, magnesium carbonate and calcium phosphate.
pan head
I think it is loosing to much salt while running. Both times I have had cramps I have literally been covered in salt. I mean crusty with salt crystals. It was the strangest thing Yesterday. My forehead and around my eyes were white. My wife commented about it and when I looked in a mirror I was amazed.
I also read on runnersworld.com that we need sport drinks with calories and carbs. The carbs get the minerals into the system faster. I have been useing the no calorie stuff, so I am going to try something else. May even try taking a salt tablet. We have them in our first aide boxes at work. They call them Electrolyte Tabs, but they are mainly salt. Potassium chloride, magnesium carbonate and calcium phosphate.
pan head
Congrats panHead....awesome report. I really enjoyed your details as it sounds a lot like how I prepare for a big cycling event and the nervous energy and all.
I always seem to miss my goals by a hair but my times and distances always improve from event to event. I'm always happy to finish with an improving performance despite rarely hitting a goal time. I just figure it's better to make my goals a tad too hard than too easy.
It will be so cool for you when you complete your first marathon. What an accomplishment to look forward to. Keep up the great work, man!! It's inspirational.
Boner
I always seem to miss my goals by a hair but my times and distances always improve from event to event. I'm always happy to finish with an improving performance despite rarely hitting a goal time. I just figure it's better to make my goals a tad too hard than too easy.
It will be so cool for you when you complete your first marathon. What an accomplishment to look forward to. Keep up the great work, man!! It's inspirational.
Boner
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