Hartford Marathon

Marathon day. Woke up bright and early around 4:30 AM, got dressed, ate a Cliff Bar and Banana, had a little time to relax, go to the bathroom, then we (Me, Judy, Justin and his girlfriend Lina, our designated driver) headed down to Hartford, which was about a 40 minute drive. We found a place to park and headed over to the starting area. The UPS trucks had not arrived yet, so we couldn't yet drop off our bags. It was cool out, but not too bad - upper 40s and no wind. The UPS trucks finally showed up and we got our bags dropped off, got in line for the port-a-johns and then headed over to the starting area. Justin did some stretching and then we got into the mass at the start. We found the 4:15 and 4:30 pace groups and stood around there and did light stretching and tried keeping warm before the start. 

Race started at 8:09, so a little late but pretty reasonable. It was crowded at the start, and the first mile was 10:28 as Justin and I tried to find our pace. Things started thinning out and we hit our groove, having miles of 9:25, 9:57, 9:27, 9:34, 10:18, 10:03, 9:19 and 9:38.

During the 10th mile Justin's calf muscle started tightening up, and he had to stop and stretch a bit and I jumped in a port-a-john real quick, so that mile was 11:48. We got going again, but Justin was struggling. It was going to be a long day. Justin thought that if we walked a mile, he might be able to work out his calf tightness, so we planned on walking after the half way point. Mile 11, 12 and 13 came in at 11:10, 11:24 and about 14 minutes with stops as Justin stretched. We walked a mile, but then when it was time to run again, Justin didn't have it in him. 

Justin wasn't feeling very good, and we flagged down one of the bike medics. The bike medic said that he looked dehydrated, and they checked his blood pressure, which was low. They told him to get more fluids, but didn't tell him to stop. So off we went, still shuffling along. Justin got more fluid in him and he started feeling a little better, but his calf was still tight, but we just kept plugging away. Justin just kept saying "Must... get... medal", heh. Walking miles were generally between 14 minute miles and 18 minute miles. When Justin needed to stretch, I would usually walk ahead a bit then walk back.

We got to mile 25, and Justin figured he could finish 'strong' ... or at least stronger. 25th mile was 13:35, we then stopped at the mile 26 flag for a quick photo, and then ran the last .2 miles at a 10:27 pace. Total time was 5:59:47, pace of 13:44. I covered 26.94 miles according to the garmin, some of the extra being the usual garmin error, and some of it being the walking ahead and back when Justin stretched. 

Waited at the finish for Judy to come in. I thought she might pass us as we slowed, but she slowed too, coming in about 15 minutes later. Things were starting to be taken down at the finish by the time Judy came in, and there wasn't really any post food still out, so we just headed back to the car then back to Justin an Lina's house. 

I was somewhat disappointed that I wasn't able to run the whole race, but it was good to see Justin finish, and it's still a marathon (:

Final Pre-Marathon Run

3.1 miles up at the lake in the evening, walking about a half mile before and after. Was getting dark near the end of the run, but not too bad. Easy run, 3.1 miles in 30:22, average pace of 9:47, splits of 9:48, 9:55, 9:40 and 9:23 pace for the final .1 mile. Average heart rate of 153. Keeping loose for the marathon.

More Tapering

3.1 miles up at the lake, with about .5 miles walking before and after. About a mile in I needed to go to the bathroom, which took a few minutes, and I stopped the timer. I did a few strides during the run, including kicking it in for the final .1 mile. Splits of 10:12, 10:05, 9:13 and 0:35 for the final .1 mile which is a 5:49 pace, nearly at full speed. Average heart rate was 152.

Tapering Down

3.1 miles up at the lake, walked about a half mile before and after, running out on the spur. Took it fairly easy. 30:27 total time, avg pace of 9:49, splits of 9:47, 10:05, 9:38 and a 9:28 pace for the final .1 miles. Average heart rate was 155, taking it easy getting rested up for the marathon.

Saturday 8 Mile Run

Ran up at the lake with the FFRC, big crowd this morning and ran with Bob. I told him I was going to be running a bit slower, which he agreed to, then he kept me going a bit faster than I wanted to, but not too bad and it felt comfortable. About 50F and foggy out, but felt pretty good. Did the figure eight plus the tail end running to the swimming pool and back. 8 miles in 1:14:46, average pace of 9:20, splits of 9:08, 9:15, 8:56, 9:46, 9:43, 9:31, 9:27 and 8:57. Average heart rate was 161, with the 6th and 8th miles having an average of 166, but still not too bad. Felt like a pace I could maintain for quite some time.

Zippy 3 Miler

Feeling fresh this morning, and with the cool air (about 45F) I figured I'd try a speedy 3.1 mile run. After walking about .5 miles I ran the soccer field loop counter clockwise, then a little bit more back to the car. 3.1 miles in 25:17, average pace of 8:09, Average heart rate was 170, but the garmin was a bit flakey until I was sweating jumping around to 194 and such during my first 1/2 mile of running. Splits of 8:18, 8:03, 8:05 and 0:49 for the last .1 mile for a pace of 8:17. Record 5K. Time to take it easy until Marathon in 9 days.

Easy 5 Miler

5 miles up at the lake, running from the restaurant to a bit past the sailboat cove and back. Walked about 1/2 mile before and after the run. Cool out and took it easy, but the heart rate monitor was acting up a bit at the very start, jumping all the way up to 211 for a bit. Took a water/walk break every mile but the final mile, splits of 10:09, 10:04, 10:12, 10:07 and 9:48. Average heart rate was 154, though more like 151, mile averages were 162, 151, 150, 151 and 154. Was right about 50F out, so wore pants and long sleeves so I wouldn't be cold.