Manitoba Marathon

[turd ferguson]

Disappointing result overall.

I've been fighting a sore right hamstring since the Police Half in April. In that race I felt a tweak early, still went at it hard, and I've been paying ever since, in terms of massage/ART, in terms of being unable to go all-out at speedwork, and in terms of overall pain.

I decided to go for my goal anyway on Sunday, 3:20. Some predictor runs early in my training said I could do it, but my training has suffered lately because of the pain.

Sunday, I was roughly on track until about 10 miles or so, fell back to a comfortable pace until about 14, then completely fell apart. I'm not 100% sure where it all went wrong because I didn't keep splits, and because I turned my watch off and put it in my pocket at 14 or so.

In fact, I turned my watch off in 14 in preparation to DNF at the medical aid station on Wolseley. My right hamstring was hurting so badly it was affecting my gait, and that was resulting in a variety of pains elsewhere (lower back, left calf) as I struggled through. But about 100 yards from the medical aid, along the right side of the road, there were 3 Bernese Mountain Dogs watching the race with their masters. I stopped for a few minutes, regained my thoughts, petted some dogs, rubbed some dog bellies, and chatted with the owners about the joys of owning a Berner. I felt my spirit return a bit and decided to continue with the race as best I could.

I decided to run at least to the end of Lyndale Crescent, which was where I crapped out three years ago, and when I got there I decided to run to the finish while I was at it. On Lyndale, I chatted with Dwayne for a bit, and borrowed a phone from Ed (Roadrunner) to call Carrie and let her know not to be worried when I didn't show up anywhere near my goal time.

Final time 4:11, splits of roughly 1:35 and 2:35 (I know the split was well short of actual the actual halfway point, don't know by how much).

It was a thrill to get my medal from Mouse and to nearly get knocked over on the track by Jill and a very enthusiastic high-five.

Next up:

- get my hamstring healthy
- make some new plans

I can't foresee getting back into serious training until I get healthy. If that means no fall race season, so be it.

This is also my first time on the internet since Saturday night - I see there are a TON of threads and reports I've missed. I'll try to catch up (along with work) this week.

[ultraslacker]

yep, rest up that hammy.... hopefully you'll be in shape for a good fall race!!

[Run26.2]

Tough day out there but congrats on finishing....get healthy soon Mike!

[HCcD]

Another notch in the belt, Mike ... kudos for getting it done .... Now rest up, will ya ... Always nice to finish what you started, is my motto ... and, in the famous words of Spencer ... "Keep Going. Never Give Up" ...

Also, great seeing you again ... Til the next time ...

[Marg]

Hey Mike, yea I'll admit i was getting really worried as the clock ticked on and I didn't see you but I sure was elated when you entered that stadium. Way to gut it out!
Fantastic to see you this past weekend, now rest up the hamstring and worry about the rest later.

Hope the drive home was enjoyable.

[mcshame]

That's too bad Mike. We were in the same place, just the wrong time. Hopefully we will be able to hook up for this (or another) race in the future.

[Strider]

Sucks, but way to guts it out and finish. Nice.

[Jo-Jo]

As Nick would say..."tough day at the office" but kudos for toughing it out...just shows how much mental strength you have.
Yep...get well. You don't want this to become a chronic injury.
Course...you could always come to PEC as a cheerleader...I'm sure Hula Girl could find a Hawaiin shirt for you

[scrumhalfgirl]

Sorry to hear it wasn't your day! Take care of that leg, and congrats on another marathon finish.

[garth]

Some days a diamond, some a rock, but you handled it well......rest and do what makes you well sir. Good to finally meet you.

[Jay-Lorens]

Wow...
Great job! Way to stick it out. And good on you for thinking to call ahead to warn about being late! I should learn to do that more often!!!!
Jay

[La]

Sorry to hear that, Mike. Heal up!

[MINITEE]

Mike.. congratulations on pushing through when you thought otherwise..

Funny that it was the sight of the dogs that helped make your decision. We're all affected by the funniest of things some days.

Rest up & get that hamstring looked after, a few months of not running and getting it in order are a lot better than the alternative if you kept running & did some permanent damage.

[RA.]

Tough one. Heal fast!

[Habs4ever]

Final time 4:11, splits of roughly 1:35 and 2:35 (I know the split was well short of actual the actual halfway point, don't know by how much).
.

Hi Mike,

The split was at the 19K mark.
Tough one for you. Hope you heal up and beat it next time.
Nice to meet, even though it was only a few seconds.

[CinC]

I've been patiently waiting for your report Mike. And, I'm sorry for you man. You had your mental on (esp when I had lunch with you on Mon) and that sucks your body wasn't in the right spot. That 3:20 is in you....

I was sad to get back after my tri and see your text - and I'm glad that the river was farther away than you thought it was.

Let's do coffee later this wk....

[dwayne_runs_far]

Way to tough it out Mike! I wish I could have done more to help you out on Lyndale.

As always, good to see you again and hang out a bit over the weekend.

Dwayne

[Darth Tater]

Gutsy performance Mike...you take care of that hammy!

[Dstew]

To FINISH a marathon, no matter the time is always something to be quite proud of. And the way you did it and with a still very respectible time has to give you hope for the future.

And in my opinion, great plan to get 100% healthy and then tackle your challenges from someone who never seems to do that and always pays the price.

[runJrun]

I am sorry to hear that the race did not go as you had hoped... but awesome work on sticking it out and finishing another marathon!!

[Ed Fizz]

To FINISH a marathon, no matter the time is always something to be quite proud of. And the way you did it and with a still very respectible time has to give you hope for the future.

I agree. Now time to regroup and plan ahead!!

[waynerdog]

Way to tough it out, Mike! See you in Calgary in a couple weeks.

[getfit]

To FINISH a marathon, no matter the time is always something to be quite proud of. And the way you did it and with a still very respectible time has to give you hope for the future.

I agree.

I agree too. I have yet to finish one (or even start one for that matter). The fact that you finished despite your injury shows a real gutsy performance. No doubt when you're all healed up you'll be able to run the marathon you really want to.

[AlfiefromPickering]

You were brave enough to complete the marathon despite the mishaps and the pain. Congratulations!

[Ironboy]

Rough day. Sorry to hear it (not as sorry as you must be to have lived it )

Heal up.