Marathon - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Yesterday was the marathon (Green Mountain Marathon) that I trained for all summer.

Here's the good news:  I finished.  I qualified for the Boston Marathon.  I finished 4th in my age group.  I survived (barely).

The bad new:  I was slower than I planned.  Slower than I expected.  So I was little disappointed.  It was not a day for speed.  The wind was in our face for a long time on the second half. (I felt so good at the turn)   It was cold and the road was wet.  After comparing some other runners times to their previous performances it was clear that it was not a day for personal records.  Still, after all the preparation, I would have liked a better result.

The ugly is that I got got pretty ill.  I nearly passed out when I slowed for Gatorade at one of the last aid stations.   After I finished, I went downhill fast (LOL).  I nearly passed out but got escorted, slowly, to a place I could sit and recover. A very  nice young lady, whose name I cannot remember, attended to me.  I really could have used some O2.   Then, I threw up, twice.  Once about an half hour after the race and again about an hour and half later.

I'm well recovered now. (I shot 79 with my Monday morning golf group).  Still sore, but feeling better overall.   No running for a week.  I need to recover.  I'll ride my bike, either indoors or out, depending on the weather.  It'll be good therapy.

Boston?  2 days ago I would have said yes, definitely.  Now, I'm thinking not.  Yesterday was very difficult even with all the training.  Boston is in April and I don't know how I could train properly during ski season.

Of course, yesterday,  after the race I was thinking I'd never run another marathon.  Now I'm having 2nd thoughts and maybe, just maybe, I'll find a race that'll be too enticing to resist.   I may be crazy.  We'll see.

Meanwhile,  I'm looking forward to the upcoming ski season and maybe even a 10k or a half-marathon sometime in November.

Was it all worth it?   Absolutely!   I'd do it all over again.   Running 26.2 miles is a worthy accomplishment.

In Case You Missed It from Harvard Medical: Lifestyle Changes

5 Conditions You Can Improve With Lifestyle Changes

This is pretty interesting, funny in a way.  Four of the five involve physical activity.  Worth reading:

http://view.mail.health.harvard.edu/?j=fe5e167575650d747412&m=febb15747d630d7a&ls=fdc715707666077f7d1271736c&l=fe5b1576736d017b7517&s=fe551c737263017c771d&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe1f16787262077e7d1d72&r=0

Exercise & Diet.  Simple really.

One Last Run

8 miles on Tuesday.  4 miles today.  I have sore hips and it worries me.  They're not as bad today but it still worries me.

My run today was better though.  And I have nearly 3 full days of additional rest.    I started slowly today just like I plan to do in the race.   A slow start means I'll feel better at the end.    I'm pretty sure I can finish even with the sore hips but starting a bit slower than what I plan for an average pace will help my finish.

There are so many variables that will impact my race.  The wind and its direction.  A head wind is like running uphill and will be very tiring.  Wind from the side takes your breath away.  Of course, a tail wind helps.  The forecast is for very light winds.   I'm hoping.

Temperature is critical.  Too hot wears you out.  Too cold is just uncomfortable.  The forecast is for chilly about 40.  Not terrible.  I'll wear short sleeves.  If not windy it'll be OK.

How I feel on that day will really matter.   Everyone has good days and bad days.   Time will tell.  

Pasta the night before.  Cliche.    Yes,  but predictable.  

If I have a good day, I'll qualify for Boston.  A bad day and I won't finish.   Time will tell.

All I have to do is run.

 

Anticipation

The last week before the big race.  I'm nervous.  It's normal.  I've driven the course.  There are a few long, but not too steep hills.   It could be windy.  I hope not.  I ran 8 miles on Sunday.  I had a light workout this morning. I played golf.  I need to eat well and get rested.  That goes against my normal instinct.   I'll be glad to get back to hard workouts and careful eating.   Six days to go.   Anticipation is building.  Think positive.

Keep on eating that stuff

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-robbins/how-bad-is-mcdonalds-food_b_754814.html

From Harvard Med on Atherosclerosis

Three minutes of reading that could change your life.

http://view.mail.health.harvard.edu/?j=fe5f16747c62077d7d14&m=febb15747d630d7a&ls=fdb61570776d0d75721c717c67&l=fe5915767267007a771c&s=fe551c737263017c771d&jb=ffcf14&

NY Times Op-Ed on Taxing Soda

"obesity-related illnesses cost New York State residents nearly $8 billion a year in medical costs,"


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/opinion/07farley.html?_r=1