Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon - RunMarathon


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Virginia Beach, Virginia
United States
Shamrock Sportsfest
60F / 16C
Sunny
 		Total Time = 3h 38m 45s
Overall Rank = 460/
Age Group = 45 - 50
Age Group Rank = 60/
Pre-race routine:

Got up early and did some light stretching in my room. Began to hydrate slowly with some heavy mixed Gatorade and then topped that off with a smallish banana and a white bagel with strawberry preserves. Did have a little coffee prior to leaving the hotel. Felt no nerves going in which made the trip to the starting line much less stressful
Event warmup:

Nothing special - just some very light stretching along the wall of a proximal hotel space. Did work on the calves a bit to ensure that the left calf, which had given me problems 5 weeks prior, and the achilles were soft and pliable when the race started.
Run
  • 3h 38m 45s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 08m 21s  min/mile
Comments:

Fatigued earlier in this race - around mile 17/18 - but having had 4 races of this distance previously, I listened to myself in knowing that the tough time would pass; in other words, I pushed through the fatigue. Actually picked up the pace to sub 7 mins around 22 but quickly realized I couldn't hold it. Fell back once again in the final 4 miles as the left calf started to cramp and I was very tired. I didn't want to push it knowing I had a half IM coming up in 6 weeks. Good run.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing really. Maybe push through a bit quicker in the first half as I still have yet to reverse split any race longer than the half marathon.
Post race
Warm down:

Excellent post race activities with beer and beef stew at the finish. Didn't do too much but some light stretching and remained walking for an hour after the race.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing really - just my own will to push harder.

Event comments:

This is my third year consecutively to run this race. I will continue to come back as I love the organization and this year's weather was stellar. Great job overall.




Last updated: 2009-04-13 12:00 AM
Running
03:38:45 | 26.2 miles | 08m 21s  min/mile
Age Group: 60/
Overall: 460/
Performance: Good
Hit the half point right on track at around 1:45.16 - this was were I wanted to be to have my best chance. Like Myrtle Beach 5 weeks prior, the pace group for 3:30 took off on a blistering pace that I conceded within 3 miles of the start.
Course: Completely flat with 2 bridge crossings that actually served as a nice change of pace.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5