CH Runners

Running => Running => Topic started by: BobM59 on October 20, 2014, 12:22:06 PM

Title: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: 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!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: JBM 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!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: tazawa 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.
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Fionn mac Cumhail on October 20, 2014, 12:55:15 PM: Fucking A, sonny jim! That's a hell of a go!! Congrats!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Schrödinger’s Bat on October 20, 2014, 12:56:01 PM: Impressive time for your first marathon (or any marathon for that matter). Congrats. :)
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: rocketgirl on October 20, 2014, 01:07:19 PM: :bow2:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: nadra's babydaddy on October 20, 2014, 01:12:56 PM: Nice job! Beat my first (and only) one by 7 seconds! >:(
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Arrojo on October 20, 2014, 01:16:13 PM: Excellent time for a first marathon. Somebody has some talent!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Trotter on October 20, 2014, 01:17:32 PM: That's fantastic.

:bow2:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Handsome Jack on October 20, 2014, 01:21:50 PM: Damn, Bob! :bow:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: witchypoo on October 20, 2014, 01:22:08 PM: super duper.
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Richard21142 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.

:obh: :obh: :obh:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: BobM59 on October 20, 2014, 01:32:38 PM: Thanks!

:)
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: diablita on October 20, 2014, 01:34:05 PM: wow, that's seriously impressive
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Virginia Plain 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. :D
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: cgraz 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.
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: antagonist on October 20, 2014, 01:50:20 PM: Awesome!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: sweetie darling on October 20, 2014, 01:58:16 PM: WOW!! VERY great job!! :bow2:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Mom of Scooby on October 20, 2014, 02:15:12 PM: Congrats! And you feel great today too that's awesome!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: wherestheportojohn on October 20, 2014, 02:20:11 PM: Ya, mon! :rockon:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: VP of Tea on October 20, 2014, 02:49:37 PM: Well done! :bouquet:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Annoying Ultrarunner Wannabe on October 20, 2014, 02:53:56 PM: Congrats!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: vtlaura 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.
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: merigayle on October 20, 2014, 04:29:35 PM: :bow2:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: ctjim on October 20, 2014, 04:37:27 PM: Nice !
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Natasha on October 20, 2014, 04:51:59 PM: Way. To. Go!!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: siamesedream 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.
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: caito on October 20, 2014, 06:01:58 PM: Congrats!!! :)
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Belgian Lace on October 20, 2014, 07:02:23 PM: :ok:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Fast Eddie on October 20, 2014, 11:25:46 PM: Congrats. Great first marathon and an amazing time. :w00t:
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: Eco Ellen 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.

:)
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: arc918 on October 22, 2014, 07:00:17 PM: Solid effort SpyBob!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: fancypants on October 23, 2014, 08:20:05 AM: Way to rock it!!!
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: caito on October 23, 2014, 08:33:21 AM: How's your recovery going?
Title: Re: My First Marathon Race Report
Post by: i am party on October 23, 2014, 10:31:13 AM: Congrats Bob!