| What was the distance for this race? |
Full Marathon |
| Ultra Distance: |
|
| How Important was the race to you? |
| A Race - Big race of the year |
| Which training phase were you in? |
Specialization |
| Pre-race meal: |
2 Cliff bars |
| How well did you sleep the night before the race? |
Fair |
| More Details: |
well rested |
| How would you rate your focus and attitude? |
100% - Very Prepared |
| How did you feel Physically? |
1 - Very Physically Relaxed |
| How did you feel Mentally? |
3 - Excited |
| How did you prepare on race day? (Check all that apply) |
Other (Please Explain) |
| Other: |
tried to keep warm (temperature was 28 F) |
| Describe your warmup: |
Lightly jog around block then a few sprints up and down block. I signed up for this race because it is in my hometown. Counting on my folks to be there in case something happens (good or bad). I have been running road races for 3 years and felt ready to try a longer distance having completed 3 half-marathons in 90 minutes or less each time. I attempted to follow an amalgamation of training programs from Doug Kurtis (who is the world record holder of most sub 2:20 finishes and most wins). Using a training log to track my progress which took into account Intermediate/Advanced/Ace plans (ironically not the beginner one, ha!). Two more twists: instead of 6 times a week I ran 3 times (omitting many easy miles) and added a 33 mile Turkey Swamp Park trail race halfway through preparation. That added attempt to quickly build a lot of base milage actually backfired as it irritated my ITB which required a week to recover. All said my modified 20 week plan added up to 570 miles. My goal was a BQ of 3:20 or better which is ambitious for a 'first timer.' My confidence in this goal fluctuated between the HM finishes which extrapolate to a 3:06 full and the tough lesson learned at Turkey Swamp of simply not putting in enough EZ pace miles in a reasonable manner. |
| Race Details - Start of Race: |
Seemed to start way too slow considering there is a bridge to ascend and a tunnel to climb within the first 9 miles. At the start I meet other members of the 3:20 pace team which included one other 'first timer'. The pace leader says we will take it out slow and then 'dial in a 7:35' to make up the difference. At the outset on mile 1 my Garmin says 8:35 (this is too simply too slow for me). I think at an even pace 1 minute will be hard to gain especially with the bridge,a tunnel and some uphill near the finish to navigate. I decide then to run at a comfortable level on my own which translated to a 7:25 for the next mile and a 7:51 looping up the Ambassador bridge. Down the bridge into Canada was much easier so an even 7:00 for mile 4. I shed the extra jersey over my singlet and continue with 7:09 at mile 5. Here I checked the pace band on my wrist to find I was on at 38:00. A few relay people pass me at mile 6 where I am at 7:18. Although the GPS is lost under the tunnel I record a 7:29 international under water mile! Back in the U.S. there are plenty of D.H.S. people to greet the runners exiting the tunnel. |
| Race Details - Middle of Race: |
Settled into a nice comfortable rhythm almost right on goal marathon pace 7:28 - 7:40. Unaware of slight decrease in pace in miles 16-20. Part of the 8th mile goes under COBO which is a nice cool from the warmer tunnel but the winding loop out slows me to 8:05 and really settled me down. I have gotten away from other runners that were 'blocking me' and found a nice comfortable rhythym alone 7:28 (mile 9), 7:31 (10), 7:33 (11), 7:36 (12). Not bothered by relay people passing. I see Doug Kurtis at the Woodward circle where the half splits. Continuing my stride at 7:28 (13), 7:28 (14), 7:37 (15). Interestingly I was enjoying the sights and sounds of bands and a wife and child cheer on their dad, etc. that I hardly noticed my pace drop off over the the next 4-5 mile stretch - 7:40 (16), 7:42 (17), 7:43 (18), 7:48 (19). Even with the moderated pace there is a good 30 seconds 'in the bank.' |
| Race Details - Finish: |
Expected to hit wall at mile 23 but that simply did not happen. The unexpected surprise allowed me to surge at mile 24 (7:23). Nevertheless quads were starting to feel a bit leaden at mile 25 but still on pace. oing over the MacArthur bridge at mile 20 (7:44) I realize it is just a 10K to the finish. I remember Patrick Walsh telling me to save it for the last 10K. The pace team leader ducked into a port-a-potty. I made no stops - not even for water - I carried a 16oz bottle of Cytomax and a hammer gel. Here I took about 4/5 squirts of gel. Other members of the pace group caught up as if I needed any further reminders that it was time to push harder - and I did - 7:30 (mile 21). Belle Isle was supposed to be an area with fewer people but I was starting to get pestered by wife of one runner on a bike who was chatting with him. She was riding next to me not him! Did another sub par 7:42 on mile 22. Leaving Belle Isle with slight headwind on MacArthur bridge the fuel kicked in and almost got back on pace for mile 23 (7:39). So where is the wall? I pass another 'first timer' triathlete - Ken from Clarkson, MI on mile 24 at a 7:23 clip on the riverfront portion that had enough turns it seemed like an X-C course! Although the Ren-Cen has been in view for a while I know the finish is a way to go with some uphill on Rivard street from earlier Saturday run so not surprisingly I slip back to 7:39 on mile 25. Finally I start to notice a slight leaden feel to my quads. Can't seem to pick up my knees and drive my legs harder. A finishing sprint is not in the cards but I know how much races can be lost at the end so I work my arms and eke out a 7:51 on mile 26 (nevermind that the final 0.2 miles was a pedestrian 9:45). In total it turns out to be exactly enough a 3:19:51 net finish (3:20:38 by the clock). Either time is a BQ for my age group. Immediately my walk is hampered - a brilliant idea to have the massage tent right after the finish. |
| How did you do in this race? |
3 - Raced within my limits |
| What went well? |
Met Boston Qualifier goal. Did not have to stop for water/fuel/bathroom. |
| What do you need to work on? |
Perhaps more consistency in pace. |
| If available, will you do this race again next year? |
Probably |
| How would you rate the course and overall venue? |
Awesome |
| How would you rate the Event Director and Staff? |
Awesome |