I Run

OK, I didn't post much during the taper weeks because I didn't do much during taper. I was just too paranoid about the ache in the back of my right leg. I didn't want it to get worse, so cut way back on the taper mileage, which in retrospect may not have been a very good idea. So anyway I ran the marathon yesterday, and it was pretty painful.

I started the race pretty comfortably, running between 7:30 and 8:00 for the first half. I was still aware of the ache in the back of my leg, but it wasn't too bad. The weather was absolutely fabulous, so I just enjoyed ambling along the scenic byways of Falmouth reminding myself that the final miles would most likely be pretty tough. At about 5 miles I felt the insides of my arches getting annoyed. Ah yes, here come the blisters. That would take my mind off my leg. Those new Adrenalines I bought aren't quite broken in yet. But it was too late to change them. I went by the 13.1 mile marker in 1:40. A pretty good clip, probably too fast for me. I'd been alternating Cytomax and water at the water stops, but I don't think I was taking in as much as I should have been. Then I hit the rolling hills between Falmouth and Woods Hole, and my left hamstring seized up. Ouch. Definitely not enough water. I had to stop to massage and stretch it. From there on, my legs flirted with cramps, a twitch in the hamstring here, a quad tightening there. When I felt my groin start to tighten I slowed it way down for a bit and took a few deep breaths. No way I was going to drop out with a groin pull. (Remarkably, my leg ache was gone, and it's still gone as I write this). After a while my groin loosened up, just in time for me to contend with...The Wall. Yes, I think I hit it, because the trip back to Falmouth from Woods Hole was the most difficult time I'd ever had in a race. I had to walk about 3 or 4 times for about 30 seconds each time. I felt a bit dizzy, but kept the finish line in mind. I would make it, even if my legs felt like two by fours. I looked out over the ocean and kept myself inspired by the glint of sunlight on the water, by the beauty of the location, by the backs of the innumerable runners that passed me. Ugh. The insides of my arches were burning, but I didn't care. I just wanted this to end. I was literally counting my steps, one through ten each time in the final mile. I rounded the corner onto Main Street and saw Elly and the girls there cheering me on. "Pick it up," Elly yelled. I tried, I really did, but my legs just shuffled along at their own speed. I stepped onto the mat and the clock read 3:40. Cool. Not a BQ, not even a PR, but still...I made it.

I missed a few mile markers, but here are the times that my trusty Ironman recorded (I really don't remember pushing the button for the last couple of miles, but I guess I did). So can you tell where I hit the wall?

Miles 1 & 2: 15:03
Mile 3: 7:40
Mile 4: 7:30
Mile 5: 7:49
Mile 6: 8:04
Mile 7: 7:56
Miles 8 & 9: 15:50
Mile 10: 7:36
Miles 11 & 12: 15:45
Mile 13: 7:28
Mile 14: 7:28
Mile 15: 8:04
Mile 16: 7:58
Mile 17: 7:31
Mile 18: 8:00
Mile 19: 8:06
Mile 20: 8:14
Mile 21: 8:56
Mile 22: 10:17
Mile 23: 10:01
Mile 24: 9:52
Mile 25: 10:43
Mile 26.2: 14:00

Now to learn from this experience...

I have a feeling I took on a bit more than my body could take during the past couple of weeks. I just have not recovered in the way I should have, so I'm taking some time off to be fresh for the marathon. Tuesday I did an easy 6 in Chester, then Wednesday I thought I'd try intervals on the treadmill. Big mistake. My legs just are not used to treadmill running anymore, so they felt it. Time to cut wayyyy back and maybe try picking it up next week.

There are just so many little things that come up during runs, especially long runs. I'm not sure if they're distractions or detractions, but they're still annoying. For example, glasses fogging up or getting drizzled on. Blisters. A runny nose. A squeaky shoe. I try to tell myself, "This too shall pass", but as soon as it does something else takes its place. I suppose on today's 21 mile run these annoyances were more distractions, which kept me from dwelling on how far I had to go. Though all of the annoyances (except the blister) went away during the last few miles, so that was a bit tough. I eased down Simon Keets Rd. to take a look at the stream (we had tons of rain last night). It was one big continuous ribbon of white water cascading down the hill. At the bottom the stream had been eating away at the bank and had threatened to take the road away, but it looks like the town crew had dumped quite a few granite boulders there to keep the bank in place. Cool. Our own little natural disaster...a pretty good distraction at that point. This was my last really long run, so now let the taper begin!

I think I ran that half marathon a bit too fast. My legs just have not recovered. I skipped Monday's run, then ran 7 easy miles on Tuesday and Wednesday. But those runs didn't feel too easy, even though my pace was between 8:00 and 8:30. Didn't run yesterday since I had to make time for a parent conference, which was just as well. Today I ran a 10 mile tempo in Chester, but it was still difficult and my calves are really tight. Actually, the 20 minute tempo part was barely faster than the rest of the run. I spent some time massaging my calves at the end and did some light stretching. Tomorrow I'll rest before my 21 miler on Sunday (it's going to be pouring rain anyway). Certainly not the final "hard" week I'd envisioned, but it's still hard. I'm feeling my age right about now, that's for sure...

This race in Waterbury, VT is well organized, scenic, and fun. The race started at 11:00 am, so I left home around 7:00 am since I didn't know how long it would take me to get up there. I got there around 9:40. That gave me plenty of time to get my number and figure out which shirt to wear. I settled on a grey t-shirt instead of a singlet since it was still a bit cool. I probably should have gone with the singlet, though, because it got warmer. My goal for this race was to best my New Bedford time, which meant running 7:19 pace or better. For the first few miles I kept it below 7:15, which was too fast. Then the rolling hills started, which forced me to slow down. The hills weren't really steep or long, but my legs still felt them. The out-and-back route along the Winooski river was very pleasant, and when the pavement turned to dirt my joints were elated. The last couple of miles were pretty difficult for me, and at one point running through a cornfield I seriously felt like puking. So I was forced to slow quite a bit to get over that discomfort. I finished in 1:36, about a half minute slower than New Bedford but faster than Swanzey. The bagels, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and apple cider were very welcome and tasty at the end.

After skipping Monday's run due to weather (and recovery), I ran some 800s on Tuesday at 3:10 to 3:15 pace. Those just about killed me for the week. I ran an easy 7 the next day in Chester, skipped Thursday (because it was Elly's and my anniversary), then an easy 6 yesterday in Chester again. My right Achilles tendon is a bit sore, too, so I'm trying to keep it from flaring up. Today I picked up a new pair of Adrenalines. They're so much springier than my current ones. I'll be using them in the half marathon tomorrow.