Event: Prince Edward County Marathon - October 5th, 2008
Training
Following my marathon last year in Manitoba, I was injured with PF and bone bruising in the right knee. More precisely, it was training for my marathon that injured me, not the marathon itself. I rehabbed for the rest of the year with no running and was really concerned that I would never run distance again. Overweight and out of condition, I started running again in January and slowly built up my mileage into the 20-30 km per week. Then Michelle approached me with the idea of running the PEC relay marathon and I thought, why not try to do the relay and the marathon together? To make sure that I didn’t injure myself in training again, I planned to do my training with no speedwork and low weekly mileage, understanding that I would not run the best marathon I was capable but still have the chance to experience the trill of the marathon. Ran 4 days a week, 3 32+ LSDs and mileage peaked at 60km per week, a low mileage plan indeed. I did slip in tempo runs in the last month of training and was very surprised of the speed I was achieving. I was also running this race for charities (Prostate & Kidney) affecting my dad and family which added additional incentive to make sure I finished the race and not pursue a PBs at all costs.
Goals
With my current marathon time of 4:07, I targeted a sub 4:00 marathon as my original goal. I adjusted the goal to 3:50 after completing my training with the whisper goal of 3:45. Also set a goal to raise $2,000 for charity with this marathon attempt.
Pre-Race
4 hours to get to Picton (4,000 pop) from Montreal, drove the race course (wrong turns 3 times) and then a fun pasta dinner with a bunch of Maniacs. Planned relay race strategy with the Orange Crush relay team and got about 4 hours sleep that night. Did my usual breakfast with one exception; I had a large cup of coffee. This had an impact on my race. Taking the bus to Wellington, I noted how far we were from Picton and the distance of the marathon really hit home. 5C at the start, shorts, long sleeve tech, buff and throw away mitts, I was very orange.
The Race
The race started with little fuss or drama, we just went. Found a 3:45 pace bunny (he’s a maniac, can’t recall his name). I had decided that I was going for a 3:45 (5:20ish pace) and see what I could do. Things were going well until about 6-7km when I needed to take a bio. I had just gone prior to the race, so I was annoyed. I then increased my pace to catch up to the pace bunny pack (4:50-5:00). This was done with ease. Transitioned with Nick at the 11km relay point and he flew out ahead. Was feeling good and the pace was comfortable, around 5:17. I would have liked 5:20 but it was the pace the pacer was going and within the acceptable pace range of 5:15-5:25 (according to an article Doonst sent me). Then around the 18km point, I needed another bio break! I was really pissed off, why is this happening? Now I realize, the large cup of coffee. Stupid..stupid!! I headed to the porta-potty and the pacer jumped ahead of me! I had to wait, do my thing and chase down the pack again. I likely would have stayed annoyed except I reached the half way mark and there was my mom and dad who I high fived. Caught up to Michelle (wife and relay partner), made sure we were both doing well, and continued on. I wasn’t going to catch the 3:45 pack again and put the goal out of my mind. But I think the damage was already done due to having to chase them twice. I started feeling less fresh after 26km and really noticed it at 32km. La (part of my relay team), chased me down and paced me until 34km, encouraging me to push on, she was a great help. At 34km, I started feeling little signs that my legs could cramp up which brought up images of my Manitoba marathon where I had spasms in my calves for the last 10km (death march over a 7:00 pace at times). Fearing a similar occurrence, I eased up a bit from 5:20 to 5:45 and then to 6:00 pace. DougG was our last relay partner and he was sticking with me but I asked him to run on as I intended to carefully run to the finish. Then the hills. I took on the 1st at 37km and only walked a bit near the top. I was heading for the next when I saw something, a bright orange buff on a runners head…..HCID!! I couldn’t help myself, I wanted to catch him. I took down the next hills and I saw my parents again; it gave me a little more strength. I pulled along side of HCID as he was taking a walk break. Side by side, we entered “downtown” Picton for the last 2.2km. The crowd support was fantastic, my pace picked up (back to sub 5:30) and Andy and I were pushing each other down the street. Andy had more kick and pulled a bit ahead but I was pushing really hard, feeling lots of pain. Then the RM crowd with meters left cheered me on and I was so moved I released all my pain in a primal scream in response and I sprinted to the finish (sub 5:00 pace).
I finished 3:52:13, a PB of 15 minutes.
Summary:
I am very pleased with this result. With low mileage and minimal speedwork, I ran injury free, and ultimately a stronger marathon.
I also learnt how powerful the mind games are in the later stages of the marathon. I never did cramp up and actually put out a strong pace at the end. I wasn’t prepared to risk it all as my goal was to complete the marathon sub 4:00 and raise funds for charity by completing a marathon, not DNF. But, I’ve learnt a lot this experience and I’m going to try to push thru those fears next time and face the pain head on.
I learnt that I must never drink coffee prior to a race. Those bio breaks really screwed up my pace strategy and I’m sure cost me a couple of minutes on my time.
The whole RM experience was fantastic, pre, during and post race. There were Maniacs everywhere and it definitely helped my performance. Thanks to you all, especially my wife that yelled at me from the bus when I was suffering on the stretch to 35km, it did jolt me back into focus. Also a cry out to my relay team, each of them helped me to the finish in addition to achieving there own goals.
I know there is a better marathon in me. I plan on doing a 10km in November to see what time I can get and then set a new goal and my sights on NCM.
Below is a set of pictures documenting my last 1km of the race just prior and following the RM crowd’s encouragement. Clearly, there is power in orange.
Pushing really hard and feeling the pain!
Responding to Maniacs in the crowd
Feeling much better after the release
My #1 fan!
Thanks for the great pictures IronGirl and getting them from your stalker.
)... but you ran through it, er, you know what I mean.
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:think:
