Race week, finally here. The "hay is in the barn." The long runs done, the sacrifices made....now it is just time to stay healthy and get some rest. I find the key to race week and taper's in general, is to try and keep the stress low and get an extra 30min sleep here and there. DON'T get up early to cram a last minute workout in during this week....it will do NOTHING for your fitness. The extra hour of sleep will help much more.
Next Saturday, I'll be running in the Wisconsin Marathon. This will be the 5th marathon I've run, 9th if you count Ironman marathons. At this point, I know what to expect. I know how to eat...fuel during the race...and I know exactly how I'm going to feel at mile 10, 15, and 22....funny how weather makes the "wall" come a little sooner than mile 20!
I consider myself a very strong Ironman runner...and Triathlon's in general. It takes a little different skill set to be able to run fast off the bike. Getting thrown in with "runners" though is tough! They are like gazelles...they don't seem to drink or eat very much when running. Possibly the greatest asset of a "runner" is that outside factors like weather, don't effect them as much. So they bust through races like nobodies business. As you'll see, that is NOT the case for me.
Miami Marathon: 4hr 40 something minutes....85 degrees. I did this Marathon in January of 2008. This was a BAD idea. Doing long runs in 20 degrees and racing in 85 degrees, not smart. I felt invincible coming off a great Ironman debut in the fall of 2007. Went down to Miami with a chip on my shoulder, I was going to qualify for Boston, it was "just" a marathon...and absolutely crashed and burned. I made it through 19 miles and then every muscle in my legs seized up. It was a very painful 7 miles of walking and throwing up before I crossed the finish line that day....but I was determined to finish. Marathon 1, Dave 0
Chicago Marathon: 3hr 40min....80 degrees. I ran this in the fall of 2008 for redemption from Miami. I was a little more acclimated to the weather this time, but 80 degrees is not ideal for Marathons. It is great for watching...not so much for running. I noticed 10mi in that I wasn't sweating anymore....that is a BAD sign of things to come. My quest for Boston was over before it started....I joined the death march to the finish line with cramps in my legs....it was like a "mini Miami." Marathon 2, Dave 0
Chicago Marathon: 3hr 15min....40 degrees. FINALLY, I get an ideal day to run in 2009. I was hammering this course and on pace for Boston through 22 miles. I knew the 3:10 Boston time was going to take a perfect race...especially coming off Ironman Lake Placid about 2 months prior. At mile 22, I started getting sharp pains in my quads. At mile 24...those pains were like knives stabbing me in the legs. I basically gave back 6 minutes over the last 3 miles and missed Boston by 4 and half minutes. My best marathon to date, but it still got the best of me. Marathon 3, Dave 0
St Louis Marathon: 3hr 30min....90 degrees. Starting to see a pattern here? Running marathons in the heat SUCKS. I did this last year in 2011. I was by far in the best shape I've ever been in for a marathon. I just got unlucky with the weather. St Louis turned out to be sick hilly as well! I knew it had hills, but had no idea the torture chamber that it became. I woke up race morning, it was already 80 and humid. I made the decision to try and run with the 3:10 pace group. I made it through the half way point with them, and then started to fall off the pace. By mile 18, the death march I've experienced in the past was back again...but this time with hills. SOB. So I slogged my way to the finish line again and proceeded to drink myself into oblivion the rest of the day/night. I DO NOT recommend this. I was so sick the next day I couldn't even drive home. Super dehydrated + alcohol = A F'ing MESS. Marathon 4, Dave 0
So that brings me to Saturday. I feel like I'm in better shape than last year and I've got a flatter course and hopefully cooler weather to look forward to. It is time to put up or shut up. My BQ time needs to be under 3:05....so my race plan is simple...run under 3:05. Steady, steady, steady....and hopefully, we can put a "1" next to "Dave" in the next post. Time to ship up to Boston?
Dave
Dedication, Passion, Results
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Catching up...and finding balance
I guess I'm not very good at getting on here regularly. I'm going to try and improve that over the next several months. Like everyone, I have a tough time fitting it all in. Trying to find family/work/social/triathlon balance is crazy tough.
I find that my best weeks are the ones that I put a "loose" plan together on Sunday. I can see my workouts for the next week, I can sit down with Ana (My wife) and talk about dinners, obligations, and life in general. This way, I wake up Monday morning with some sort of guiding direction.
Flexibility is always key, but I find that a little organization will help you train, eat, work, and interact with others better. I find that most athletes will run through a brick wall to get what they want....problem is, you need to know where the wall is!
Try it out...be a little more organized. I'm going to, and just might find more time to write!
So, a little recap on what's been going on with my training and racing.
Cary Half Marathon: This was a tough one. It was SUPER hot for this time of year crossing 80 degrees during the race. Normally, I'm a very good heat runner...but having ZERO acclamation, I didn't do as well as hoped. I was nearly 4 minutes slower than last year...which is a lot for a half marathon.
The key to "bad" races is to give yourself a little time to be mad, but put a limit on it. I try to be "over it" by the time I eat my next meal. That gives me a little time to complain and be upset...but then I have to get over it. This sport is also very humbling in the sense that my "bad" day could be someone else's "best" day. No one likes a whiner, especially when someone you care for wants to rejoice!
Reach out and Run 5K: Ok, so this one was today! I had HIGH hopes coming in for a great race...and, it wasn't up to my potential. In fact, I "lost" this race on Thursday night at the Blackhawks game. With this lifestyle, spikes in "anything" can really effect you. So when you get a little too "social" a few days before a race, expect a crash and burn.
I'm not really upset with how I did. I pushed VERY hard and felt like my lungs had internal bleeding for 30min after the race. I really did push myself. The effort was there, but the gas tank was empty. I knew this would probably happen...and live and learn. Balance...like I said before...is the key. So, I move on!
Wisconsin Marathon: I have my marathon 2 weeks from today and the training has been great. Long runs are solid...the tempo workouts have been great....the Blackhawks don't appear to be making a long playoff run so I should be good :)
All indicators show that I should be right on target to qualify for Boston in two weeks. This will be attempt # 5 at doing so. I seem to always get the tough weather for Marathons...so I'm really hoping for something reasonable. I don't mind the heat, but when shooting for "time" instead of "place," you really want the best conditions possible.
I hope all is well in your life. Keep it simple, keep it organized, and you'll keep it fast!
Dave
Dedication, Passion, Results
I find that my best weeks are the ones that I put a "loose" plan together on Sunday. I can see my workouts for the next week, I can sit down with Ana (My wife) and talk about dinners, obligations, and life in general. This way, I wake up Monday morning with some sort of guiding direction.
Flexibility is always key, but I find that a little organization will help you train, eat, work, and interact with others better. I find that most athletes will run through a brick wall to get what they want....problem is, you need to know where the wall is!
Try it out...be a little more organized. I'm going to, and just might find more time to write!
So, a little recap on what's been going on with my training and racing.
Cary Half Marathon: This was a tough one. It was SUPER hot for this time of year crossing 80 degrees during the race. Normally, I'm a very good heat runner...but having ZERO acclamation, I didn't do as well as hoped. I was nearly 4 minutes slower than last year...which is a lot for a half marathon.
The key to "bad" races is to give yourself a little time to be mad, but put a limit on it. I try to be "over it" by the time I eat my next meal. That gives me a little time to complain and be upset...but then I have to get over it. This sport is also very humbling in the sense that my "bad" day could be someone else's "best" day. No one likes a whiner, especially when someone you care for wants to rejoice!
Reach out and Run 5K: Ok, so this one was today! I had HIGH hopes coming in for a great race...and, it wasn't up to my potential. In fact, I "lost" this race on Thursday night at the Blackhawks game. With this lifestyle, spikes in "anything" can really effect you. So when you get a little too "social" a few days before a race, expect a crash and burn.
I'm not really upset with how I did. I pushed VERY hard and felt like my lungs had internal bleeding for 30min after the race. I really did push myself. The effort was there, but the gas tank was empty. I knew this would probably happen...and live and learn. Balance...like I said before...is the key. So, I move on!
Wisconsin Marathon: I have my marathon 2 weeks from today and the training has been great. Long runs are solid...the tempo workouts have been great....the Blackhawks don't appear to be making a long playoff run so I should be good :)
All indicators show that I should be right on target to qualify for Boston in two weeks. This will be attempt # 5 at doing so. I seem to always get the tough weather for Marathons...so I'm really hoping for something reasonable. I don't mind the heat, but when shooting for "time" instead of "place," you really want the best conditions possible.
I hope all is well in your life. Keep it simple, keep it organized, and you'll keep it fast!
Dave
Dedication, Passion, Results
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