How I spent my summer vacation

[The Moose1]

Sorry I've been gone so long, had some running to take care of....BTW I can't use my old login anymore.....

My name is Mike, and I'm a runner.

This summer I've been training for the Niagara Falls Marathon.

Seriously.

I started the hard stuff in June, and have followed my program as closely as possible.  I rested when my body said, and went faster when it said I could do more.  I was up early Sunday mornings to do my long runs, and even skipped hockey to make sure I didn't overdo it. (Skipped hockey!  First time ever!)
I raced very little, keeping my focus solely on my one goal...Boston.

In short, I worked very, very hard. (as all marathoners do, I know I wasn't alone in this)

So race day came, and the rain didn't.  Things were looking up.  Couldn't ask for better temps, and the howling wind was at my back most of the way.  The first 10k went by, and I was 60 seconds ahead of my virtual running buddy, exactly as planned.  Comfortable and confident, I kept my pace through the half at 1:35, a 3:10 finish at this pace, plenty of room for error and a 3:15:59 BQ.  I soldiered on, confident that Boston was "in the bag" and even slowed my pace a little, still keeping ahead of my virtual buddy.

With 5 miles to go I began thinking about how I was going to pay for my Boston entry, when I noticed a sputter from the engine.  No problem, 8 km is a short training run, and I've never been unable to put my head back into a marathon this close to the finish.  Just switch over to the reserve tank and go.  This thing is as good as done.

3 miles to go and I notice the sputter again, only worse.  I wonder if I've gone out too hard, check my virtual buddy and see that Boston is still within reach at my original goal pace of 7:14/mile.  Cakewalk.

2 miles out and I reach for my last water cup.  The engine stalls.  I feel like a race car driver who's a lap from the finish and in the lead, only to find that I don't have the gas to get to the line.  I frantically call for more power from the engine room....Nothing but static.

Again and again I beg for power, I try to start running, I try everything I can think of, and am rewarded with....nothing.  I'm in serious trouble with 2 miles to go.  I check my virtual buddy who says I need two, 6:57 miles.  Difficult, but not impossible, I've finished a long run with a 6:20 mile, two miles at 6:57 is reasonable right?   Sadly, 18:00/mile isn't even within my grasp.

Strangely, as it all began slipping away from me, my thoughts started wandering to the celebratory beer I'd brought, cooling in the trunk of the car.  Would I drink mine anyway, even if I failed.  Yes, of course I would.  I'd finished hadn't I?  Would I?

I laughed while cooling off from today's run and writing this in my head that I was walking faster now than I could in those last 2 miles.  Those last 2 miles took nearly 40 minutes.  I've never worn my self out so completely, and wondered what this would do to my mindset.  I wondered if I'd run another marathon after coming so close to Boston, after training so hard and failing.

I haven't answered those questions yet, but after my first run since (3 miles in 21 minutes) I guess I already know how this will play out.  See you in Ottawa...I'll be the guy headed towards Boston.

Peace,

Mike

[chattyfeet]

Mike, that was a very well written post.  I really enjoyed it.  You have reminded me why I will never be the type of marathoner who aims for Boston.  I simply couldn't handle the disappointment you went through.  I have heard of SO many people that have missed their BQ time by mere minutes and I just cannot imagine that happening after all that hard work.  I am one of the "back of the pack" marathoners...I am out there simply to finish, upright and smiling.  And when I do, I feel SO great.  I couldn't imagine doing a marathon and feeling so let down, and so disappointed.  But I admire those of you that do...we're all different, that's for sure.   I'm sorry it didn't work out for you...I really felt for you while reading your report.  Good luck to you in Ottawa....

[Jon]

Mike,

That's a tough report.  Just wanted to say (I'm sure you already know), your not alone.  Like many, I have had my own 'blow up' experience in racing.  I won't go into details, but lets just say the last mile took me over an hour - yes I was on the ground for a loooong time trying to get me body to start working again.  It was a half-ironman and I ended up with the slowest run split in the whole field! Now I look back and can laugh at it, but it was an experience I will never forget and it did serve to make me stronger and smarter in race management.

Good luck in Ottawa.  You are not alone in going for the BQ.  If all goes well, myself and my training buddies are also gonna take aim at Boston in the spring ( a goal I have never set to do) - I just haven't decided between Mississauga or Ottawa (any thoughts there?).

Keep running,
Jon

[Janet]

Hi Mike,
  What a well written race report. I felt your heartache, to be that close to your goal and have your body do the unforgiveable to you sucks! It's always a humbling experience when our bodies let us down ( usually thru our own doing of course), but up you get on the marathon horse again. Very inspiring.
 As for Ottawa or Mississauga, haven't run the full in Ottawa, have 2x in Mississauga, had a great time both times.  It was a fairly open course, with lots of manuverability around people, lots to look at (you wouldn't have as much time to gawk around like I do), and I would definately go back and run it again. Hope this helps

Janet

[SNOWRUNNER]

Been there.. My quad blew up in Mississauga last may.. had to do a run/hop for the last gruelling 14k...
  Tough break Mike.. will see you in Ottawa as well. Dave.

[The Moose1]

Thanks all, but surprisingly, I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I'd be.  Maybe it hasn't sunk in yet.

As for Ottawa vs Mississauga, I have a place to stay in Ottawa, and if not, there's always the Colleges and University dorms.  I've always had a really good time (both on the clock and in my heart) in Ottawa.  It was my first fun marathon (long story, nice ending), I'm definitely going back.

Believe it or not, writing that was very liberating for me.  I've been avoiding the retrospect since the finish line, and think just writing that helped me get over it.

I actually said, "maybe I'll do an Ultra, " to my wife today.  To which she replied, "I thought you said you'd never do that?"  Maybe I am dumber than I look...

Guess I'm ready to raise the bar a little.

Already starting to think about what I can do differently in training for my BQ.  Guess I've moved on.

Thanks for all the inspiration.

For those who don't know the rest of the story....

My daughter was born with Cerebral Palsy.  It's fairly mild, but she went through several surgeries and castings to help that, and other things.  I got through my first marathon (with not nearly enough training) by telling myself that I wouldn't be setting a very good example if I quit.  After all, how many times had I told her she could do anything she wanted if she tried hard enough?

She's twelve now, and you'd never know she had any issues at all if you didn't pay REALLY close attention.  She tries really hard, and had completed her first 5k by age 10.  (Not bad for someone how qualifies for disability because of her legs.)  She is not allowed to use her disability as an excuse for anything (we don't even acknowledge it as a disability in front of her.)  How good would that lesson be if I gave up my dream of Boston now?

Guess I'll just have to try harder (or maybe get a little older, LOL).

Thanks again,

Peace,

Mike

[Sandy]

Welcome back Mike, I'm so glad you shared Niagara with us, it was very well written.  I could actually feel the winds blowing.  BQ misses...my closest was less than 1 minute, and it was at Niagara!   When I did qualify it was with a 5 second margin, at Scotiabank but that was before the throngs discovered that race.  I understand London is a good one to run.  I prefer Mississauga over Ottawa but you know the course and that will help you with pacing as well as anticipating pace. 

You will get there and like you said, the challenge keeps you coming back.  To shoot for the stars you have to set a high goal, that's what makes it so worthwhile and oh so satisfying.  Besides, when you reach this goal, you'll set another one.

What ultra are you going to do?????

[chattyfeet]

I've run Mississauga twice and Ottawa several times, with Ottawa being my fave, hands down.  I prefer an out and back course simply because you don't have to deal with the transportation to the start and/or finish lines.  (not an important piece of info when trying to qualify, I understand...but just for anyone else wondering how these races compare)  I find the scenery in Mississauga downright boring compared to Ottawa, but then again this could be something that is completly irrelevant when trying to qualify for Boston.  I'll never know!  But Ottawa is beautiful, well organized and just exciting all around, with all of the entertainment on the course, and the crowds.  (there are very long sections of Mississauga with NO spectators at all...didn't like that...).   Interesting though that I had the experience of meeting two very famous politicians at both...shook Jean Chretiens' hand at the 10k mark in Ottawa, and got to see Hazel McCallion at the starting line in Mississauga.  But again, as far as being a BQ race, I don't know which would be best.  Does the fact that Mississauga takes place earlier in May help?  I mean, are the chances better that you won't run into a heatwave early in May as opposed to late May??Good luck wherever you go!  (I'm doing London, Ont., in '09...first time)

[Jane]

I've only done the half at Mississauga but have done the full and the half in Ottawa.  Despite the crowds in Ottawa, I would pick NCM over Mississauga in a heartbeat.  London was one of the best halves I have done -- can't comment on the full though.

Back to your marathon - you report was great.  I too felt like I was right there with you.  I could sure feel your disappointment!  Not that I have even come close to BQ-ing but I can relate to the disappointment thing.

So did you sit down and analyze why your body quit on you so that you hopefully won't have it happen to you again? 

[The Moose1]

Thanks Sandy, but go easy on the ultra thing, it's still a maybe.  (This is a big step from never, so lets not get carried away.)

I loved the London half, and also have lodging there, but I don't know how a second lap would play in my mind.  Therefore I'm going to stay with what works, and I've had all of my "best" marathons in Ottawa.

As far as the analyzing goes...not really.  I've got some ideas.  Most likely is that I went out too hard and just ran myself into the ground. My early splits were very good.  Also I'm going to reevaluate my training plan.  10 miles of track work on a Thursday made me really fast over 400 or 800 meters, but I'm not running 5:40/mile in a marathon, and I'm not sure this was time well spent.  I'll probably blend some of my traditional winter training with a lot less track work.  That is, I'm gonna spend Sunday's running the hills, and Tuesday and Thursday on a little longer, a little slower runs than I was doing on the track, but no rest.  So 3-8 miles at 6:50-7 min. per mile instead of countless 400 or 800m at stupid fast pace (typically 5:30-6:20/mile) with a 2 min. rest.  My old bones aren't recovering very well from the ridiculous stuff.  If I can convince the old body that 10-15 seconds slower than 3hr 10min marathon pace is normal over 8 - 10 miles, then I should be good for a 3:15 marathon all day long.

Just gotta dig a little deeper here in the off-season so that when the pain hits, it won't seem as bad.

Comments on the plan?

Mike

P.S. A friend of mine was running on a Monday, so I asked him why?  I then reminded him that the Jews got to choose first, and took Saturday's off.  The Christians picked next and took Sunday.  That left us runners with Monday as our day of rest.  Oh, and the occasional Friday.

[Jon]

Hey Mike,

It sounds to me like your making some good adjustments.  I can't believe you did 10 miles of track work!  Ouch.  Intensity work is important, but the base is where its at for endurance stuff (IMHO).  Slowing down a bit (especially in the winter) will probably do you really good.  There is a saying "Speed work is the icing on the cake", and in my opinion the winter is a great time to bake the cake - lay the base or in your case add to it, and I am sure you will be that much more solid in those last miles come May.

Jon 

[Jane]

I don't have comments on the plan -- I am not that great at all that technical training stuff. 

But I am good at EATING!!      So my question is, did you take in any type of nutrition/fuel during the marathon?  Is it possible the gas tank was empty?

[Sandy]

Good question Jane.  Most often when training goes well and racing doesn't you can put it down to nutrition.  Water/carbs/salt or a combination. 

[The Moose1]

Really good question.  Unfortunately the answer is yes.  I was well fuelled for the race.  Not only have I found the miracle of the peanut butter sandwich (ate 1, two hours before race start), but I had a power gel every 10k, from the first 10 on.  I've never eaten more before or during a marathon, and I had a HUGE feed of pasta the night before.  Most water stations were Gatorade (except when taking gels).

I actually down-loaded my Garming last night, and it looks like I went out too fast.

The plan was 7:10 miles until the 1/2, then back off.  I had several miles below 7 min/mile, and almost all miles (in the first half) below 7:10.  Seeing as my goal pace should have been about 7:26 for the whole way, I'd say I went out too fast.  Having said that, I had trained for 7:14 pace all summer....

Oh well, live and learn right?

Thanks again for all the input.

Peace,

Mike