Shamrock'D Out

I gotta say after Saturday night I was thinking omen. My two favorite teams Kansas and Old Dominion both lost in the tournament pretty much at the same time. If you know basketball, the chances of that are slim. I mean the #1 team in the country losing to a tiny school in Iowa and ODU even being in the tournament.

Sunday Runningday! Most people thought I was crazy running a marathon with only 3 weeks of training. But I know what I am capable of. And I gotta say I am really proud of myself for completing it. The temps were between 65 and 70 during the race. Very warm considering I've been training in 50s and below. 20 degrees is a major difference and will completly destroy your body if you don't take in enough fluids and calories during the race.

Onto the all important data.. I finished in 3:08 and qualified for Boston once again. WooHoo. But first I must say I biked 45 miles Saturday, 30 of those at race pace 25+ mph. It was too perfect outside and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make myself faster. I was a bit sore going in to today. And I'm sure I wasn't recovered from the 19 mile run last weekend. This years marathon was pretty different from last years. Preparation was almost non existant. Although there has been a lack of running this year, my muscles are stronger and faster, endurance is higher too. I was not well rested this year, but I'm much more race experienced. Weather conditions this year were tough, last year was ideal.

I started the run very excited and feeling good. I held myself to a 6:50ish pace through the first 10 miles or so. I was running with a couple good people with a sub 3 hour goal. By mile 12 I was on my own and feeling the soreness in my quads, but still holding a 7 minute pace. I crossed mile post 13 in an hour and a half. On pace for a sub 3 hours. At mile 15 I made a bathroom stop. So that was at least 2 minutes lost right there, but I felt much more comfortable! Miles 15-19 were a killer. There was a slight uphill that really made me fight to hold a 7 minute pace. By mile 22 my quads were on fire. At this time I knew a sub 3 hour marathon was not gonna happen and I just wanted to hold on for a sub 3:10 and get a BQ. I figured I could run the last 4 miles with an 8 minute pace and still finish below 3:10. So I was probably around a 7:45 pace and man I was really suffering. I felt that 3:10 pace group breathing down my neck like a 500lb gorilla. That last 1/2 mile was hell. I was pleased with a 3:08 considering everything. And another reminder for myself that racing a Marathon is no joke.

One thing I have to say is that the fans and support were amazing today. The crowds were big. I think the weather had a lot to do with that. Everyone was really nice and helpful though. The crowd support today was probably the best I've experienced in a race. Nice job VA Beach! Things like that make me wanna race next year.

As I did in my training runs I brought a water bottle with me. Smartest thing I might have done today. I filled up twice at the water stops. So that was 3-16 oz gatorade bottles. Also took down a Gu Roctane at 45 min, PowerGel at 1:30, 2:00, and 2:30. Considering my lack of training milage, tight muscles and heat today, I was really happy not to cramp up. Afterwards I drank 5 water bottles, 1 bottle of Fluid Recovery and 1 bottle of EAS Protein. Sounds like a lot but it's necessary. I never cramped up today.

I think the best thing of all today is that I had no injury problems. I was very surprised myself. I thought for sure I would run into some hip pain. No prblems afterwards either. Well maybe a bit of groin pain. Its all starting from my Sciatic nerve, which I just have to keep stretching and messaging. Rolling on a baseball every night has made a world of difference this week. I have my last physical therapy session tomorrow. Shout out to Bon Secours! The things I've learned there are so invaluable.

No more marathoning for me until October when I have the Marine Corps Marathon.
I have one week to recover and get ready for my first Tri of the year.. Smithfield Sprint. Keep a look out for race pics coming soon.