Lost Dutchman Marathon - RunMarathon


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Apache Junction, Arizona
United States
Lost Dutchman Marathon
48F / 9C
Overcast
Total Time = 3h 57m 19s
Overall Rank = 160/531
Age Group = M40-44
Age Group Rank = 32/69
Pre-race routine:

Rough night sleeping (not sure why), woke up early due to the long drive and bus ride to the start. Had cereal for breakfast (was lazy). Gathered my gear, got dressed and headed out for the race parking area. Caught one of the first buses to the start and relaxed by the warming fires, listening to music.
Event warmup:

Started stretching periodically about an hour before the race start. Stretched all the major areas to stay loose. Did not have any type of warm-up run, just walked to the start corrals with the crowd.
Run
  • 3h 57m 19s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 09m 04s  min/mile
Comments:

Kept to my plan for the first 14-15 miles. HR was within range (high end of range, but within range), and my pace was right where I planned it. Second uphill (miles 18-20) showed slowing in pace more than expected, and my legs felt weaker than I had planned. Walked a bit more than I wanted to, but kept walking to a fair distance (100 yds at a time max), so I was able to recover and get going again in fair time.

The start was fine, I specifically held back my pace going downhill, which probably was part of the reason my knee hurt afterward. The downhill pounding felt harder as I slowed my pace. The horseshoe uphill was good, as I wanted to keep to 9 minute miles, and I was right at 9 minute miles for the 4 mile uphill section. The sneaky uphill section at mile 18, and the rolling hills from mile 21-24 took its toll on me. I am aware of it, but I was spent by then and struggled a bit to keep my legs going.

The fact that this was my third marathon in five weeks (and 4th race overall in 5 weeks) obviously hindered my potential. My legs were tired later on, whereas I should have the endurance and strength to keep pace for the duration. I improved my race time by about 11 minutes over last year, and logged another sub-4 hour finish time, so all in all I am satisfied with the results based on everything that led up to crossing the finish line.
What would you do differently?:

I will not schedule 3 marathons in 5 weeks ever again. I probably need to do more hill running as well, to get my legs ready for the pounding. I think I said the same thing last year, so apparently I do not learn much from my experiences. HA HA
Post race
Warm down:

Walked over to the bus line, caught the bus to parking, and headed home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Tired legs - too many long races building up the weeks before this one. The weather stayed cooler as well, and I was planning to be warmer about half way into the run. I consciously felt the colder temps, and I typically run better and smoother when I am warmer.

Event comments:

I really like the Dutchman. The course is beautiful and challenging, the volunteers are helpful, and the race is smaller so it is easier to park and to navigate the course.




Last updated: 2012-01-05 12:00 AM
Running
03:57:19 | 26.2 miles | 09m 04s  min/mile
Age Group: 32/69
Overall: 160/531
Performance: Average
Mile 1 - 7:43 156BPM Mile 2 - 7:30 163BPM Mile 3 - 7:54 164BPM Mile 4 - 7:53 165BPM Mile 5 - 7:51 163BPM Mile 6 - 7:59 163BPM Mile 7 - 7:36 168BPM Mile 8 - 8:00 165BPM Mile 9 - 8:39 164BPM Mile 10 - 9:04 164BPM Mile 11 - 9:00 164BPM Mile 12 - 9:05 164BPM Mile 13 - 8:54 160BPM Mile 14 - 8:25 161BPM Mile 15 - 8:44 162BPM Mile 16 - 8:52 164BPM Mile 17 - 9:48 163BPM Mile 18 - 9:38 167BPM Mile 19 - 10:06 168BPM Mile 20 - 9:46 164BPM Mile 21 - 9:41 162BPM Mile 22 - 10:08 162BPM Mile 23 - 10:56 162BPM Mile 24 - 11:59 154BPM Mile 25 - 9:56 165BPM Mile 26 - 10:03 166BPM Mile 26.2 - 2:02 172BPM
Course: Starting up in the Superstition mountains (Don's Camp) at Peralta Trails, the course winds downhill on a forest service road for about 6 miles before hitting the pavement. Downhill continues to mile 9, where the course turns up King's Ranch and does an uphill horseshoe for 4 miles. At mile 13 the course hits I60 and goes slightly downhill for 5 more miles, then turns into residential areas in Apache Junction and snakes around on its way back to Prospector Park for the finish.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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