survived marathon

Haven't posted here in a while, thought I would give a race report. Let me preface this by saying that I knew I wouldn't run a knew PR. I have been having knee issues this whole year and have not been able to properly train for a marathon. My longest run was the week prior to the race, I ran 15 miles. Yes I know it was not near long enough. I knew I would probably suffer. I talked with a guy that I know that has been running for years and he suggested that I run, walk. So the plan was, run ten minutes and walk a minute and if I was going to do this to do it from the start. It would be to late to start when I started to have pain. So this is what I did.

Marshall Marathon, Huntington, WV. Temperature at the start 25 degrees, made to the mid 40's by race end.. Although I thought I got up in plenty of time I ended up running late and literally had to run to the starting line. I stuck with the plan and every thing went well. My half time was 2:18:57. I saw this and was encouraged because at least 12 minutes of this was walking. . Well the wheels fell of at about mile 19 or 20. CRAMPS! First it was up and down the inside of my left leg. Walked that out and before to long the calves started. At first it was just a twinge of pain that I could run through, then they would knot up to where I had to walk them out. Couple of times I had to stop to stretch. I knew with only 6 miles or so to go even if I had to walk I would finish. So long story short finishing time, 5:00:25. When I saw the timer and I thought, man I could have shaved off 30 seconds and been under 5 hours.

I hydrated during the race and had plenty of gels, I credit the cramps with not being able to properly train, just hadn't put in the miles. To my surprise my knees did a lot better than I anticipated. I had some pain, but it was the cramping that really hurt me. The only reason I went ahead and did this marathon was, I had signed up when they first opened up registration earlier in the year and I hated to not at least try.

I think races like these teach you that you are capable of more than what you think you are. But you may have to suffer to attain your goal. Now that it's over I am so glad I tried. Perseverance pays off.

pan head