Author Topic: My First Marathon Race Report (Read 9077 times)

BobM59 · « **on:** October 20, 2014, 12:22:06 PM »

(MODS: Does this go here? Elsewhere? Feel free to move but lemme know if/where it goes)

Yesterday was the big day for me, as I officially accepted the challenge and attempted to run the BayState Marathon.

It's heralded as being the easiest of marathons. Flat as hell, easy terrain, etc. I found that it is still shockingly 26.2 miles; who'da thunk.

I had prepped to the best of my abilities but was still nervous as hell. My longest training run was 20 miles; I had failed to finish long runs during training due to dehydration or hip pain on separate occasions. I was going in completely solo, no partners, buddies, etc.

The stars aligned and things went great! Weather was perfect (started at 42, ended low 50's), low wind, no rain. I ran with the 3:25 pace pack until the 13.1 mark where the pacers stopped pacing and the pack pulled away from me a bit. My body held up really well, and I was able to essentially zone out until about mile 22. From there, I switched away from comedic podcasts (designed to keep me from getting overhyped) to a combination of Rage Against The Machine / Rocky Soundtrack to carry me home. Worked like a charm!

Finished at 3:28:15 or so, for 354/1530 placement. Didn't BQ but had absolutely no plans to; my three goals were:
- Finish (check)
- Finish under 4:00:00 (check)
- Finish under 3:30:00 (check)

Injury free and sore today, I'm floating! I don't think I could beat that time if I tried ten more times, and I'm looking forward to rebalancing my fitness with much more speed work and strength training. I'm certainly thrilled to finally cross this off my masochistic bucket list!

JBM · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2014, 12:48:52 PM »

Great job! I love that race. I've run the marathon I think 4 times and always have had great races there - I qualified there myself a few years ago. You are speedy!

tazawa · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2014, 12:55:13 PM »

Congrats! One of my colleagues did it. I haven't heard from him yet. I'd like to try the half next year.

Fionn mac Cumhail · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2014, 12:55:15 PM »

Fucking A, sonny jim! That's a hell of a go!! Congrats!

Schrödinger’s Bat · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2014, 12:56:01 PM »

Impressive time for your first marathon (or any marathon for that matter). Congrats.

rocketgirl · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:07:19 PM »

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:12:56 PM »

Nice job! Beat my first (and only) one by 7 seconds!

Arrojo · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:16:13 PM »

Excellent time for a first marathon. Somebody has some talent!

Trotter · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:17:32 PM »

That's fantastic.

Handsome Jack · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:21:50 PM »

Damn, Bob!

witchypoo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:22:08 PM »

super duper.

Richard21142 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:25:27 PM »

Quote from: BobM59 on October 20, 2014, 12:22:06 PM

Finished at 3:28:15 or so, for 354/1530 placement.

BobM59 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:32:38 PM »

Thanks!

diablita · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:34:05 PM »

wow, that's seriously impressive

Virginia Plain · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:39:27 PM »

Shit! Under 3:30 for your first time? That's awesome!!

I was just shy of 6 hours for my first.

cgraz · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:48:13 PM »

Well done! I was hoping for a report, thinking of you yesterday when I realized it was THAT DAY! Woo hoo! This is truly a great report.

antagonist · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:50:20 PM »

Awesome!

sweetie darling · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:58:16 PM »

WOW!! VERY great job!!

Mom of Scooby · « **Reply #18 on:** October 20, 2014, 02:15:12 PM »

Congrats! And you feel great today too that's awesome!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wherestheportojohn · « **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2014, 02:20:11 PM »

Ya, mon!

VP of Tea · « **Reply #20 on:** October 20, 2014, 02:49:37 PM »

Well done!

Annoying Ultrarunner Wannabe · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2014, 02:53:56 PM »

Congrats!

vtlaura · « **Reply #22 on:** October 20, 2014, 04:14:21 PM »

Congrats! It looks like you finished 0.1 second behind my brother (gun time). He was wearing a bright yellow shirt and was sporting a pretty good beard, I think. He was shooting for sub 3:30 as well and is going to BQ in the spring.

merigayle · « **Reply #23 on:** October 20, 2014, 04:29:35 PM »

ctjim · « **Reply #24 on:** October 20, 2014, 04:37:27 PM »

Nice !

Natasha · « **Reply #25 on:** October 20, 2014, 04:51:59 PM »

Way. To. Go!!

siamesedream · « **Reply #26 on:** October 20, 2014, 04:57:10 PM »

Quote from: ctjim on October 20, 2014, 04:37:27 PM

Nice !

1

That's a hell of a marathon debut.

caito · « **Reply #27 on:** October 20, 2014, 06:01:58 PM »

Congrats!!!

Belgian Lace · « **Reply #28 on:** October 20, 2014, 07:02:23 PM »

Fast Eddie · « **Reply #29 on:** October 20, 2014, 11:25:46 PM »

Congrats. Great first marathon and an amazing time.

Eco Ellen · « **Reply #30 on:** October 22, 2014, 11:41:05 AM »

Congratulations! I was almost there, but missed the deadline to drop to the half, so stayed home. You did great. I'm so happy for you.

arc918 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 22, 2014, 07:00:17 PM »

Solid effort SpyBob!

fancypants · « **Reply #32 on:** October 23, 2014, 08:20:05 AM »

Way to rock it!!!

caito · « **Reply #33 on:** October 23, 2014, 08:33:21 AM »

How's your recovery going?

i am party · « **Reply #34 on:** October 23, 2014, 10:31:13 AM »

Congrats Bob!

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Author Topic: My First Marathon Race Report (Read 9077 times)

siamesedream

Belgian Lace

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