Country Music Marathon - RunMarathon

This was my first marathon and was very disappointed with my performance. I had a goal of 3:30:00-3:45:00 finish. I trained from Oct 2007 until the race. I had run 450 miles in 2007 alone getting ready on some of the hilliest roads in this area and raced in 2 half marathons with times of 1:39:00 and 1:32:45 . I didn't feel like there was a single hill on this course. To me it all felt flat. I ran the race I trained for going out in 8:25 the first mile and picked it up so slightly to run 15-8 min miles. I stopped at water stops at around mile 6 and around mile 12 for water and gels. I passed the 1/2 mary point in 1:47:00 just where I wanted to be...mile 15 at 2:03:00 right on pace. Then the cramps started...first in the right quad then the right hamsting then the left calf...then the left quad...by the time I was done I could run 3 mins before the legs locked up..I would walk 5 mins and then could run again. I ate salt packs, drank accelerade and water, ate more gels, nothing helped. In all the running I had done up to this race I have never cramped like this and really don't know why I did this time. 11-12 min miles is very depressing and you learn a lot about yourself. I couldn't wait to get done.

I had a problem sleeping the night before which usually doesn't bother my performance but it's the only thing I can think of that did. I may have gotten 3 hours of sleep. I was plenty hydrated, had gotten prenty of salt, potasium, calcium, and magnesium the entire week before this run. I had 5 long runs over 15 miles in training with my longest of 23 miles. I think next marathon I will start out slower and speed up the 2nd half.

Went to the medical tent. Ate 4 salt packs, some pretzels and drank some water. Laid in the sun for about 20 mins. I went home and soaked in the tub..Sunday I got on the bike for 40 mins and spun easy...another 30 mins on Monday...pushed it a little on the bike Tuesday with a 10 mile ride in 30 mins. The legs are almost back to normal on Wednesday.


The cramping after mile 15 and beyond.


I would like to run this again knowing what I know now. It was awesome to stand at the start in corral number 7 and look back and not sse the end of the runners.