SunTrust Richmond Marathon - RunMarathon

We started out and as everyone else knew it was HUMID, we orginially thought we would be getting rained on but the rain had come and gone and now it was just humid. The first 8-10 miles went OK, but then I just started to fade. I had drank plenty of water in the week leading up to the run and during the run this day, but around mile 10ish I started having BAD muscle cramps in my calfs. I had to walk and was able to keep a strong fast walk, but every time I tried to run I would only be able to run a few steps (3-4) and my calf muscle would just cramp up.
I knew this would not be a great race and at this point really wanted to try not to walk till 13 miles, but my body had other ideas, so I had to deal with it. I made it to the 1/2 point at 2:24 (gun time). At this point I had a lot of company of other runners who where also having a difficult day. I now was shooting for under 5 hours which was going to mean I was going to be able to get rid of the cramps and run. This did not happen as you can see from my time. When I got passed by the 5 hour pace group I just said oh well keep on moving and try to have fun. I just started have fun with the spectators and the course had some good little crowds. I guess it was around mile 18 or so I was ble to start getting 1/4 mile slow slow run in before the cramps, that was pretty much the way it went. As I came to the finish it was downhill (thankfully) so I was running and having fun waving my arms for the crowd to yell and such, which my wife thought was a little goofy, but oh well after 5 and half hours I was a little goofy.



Not cramp!! Train properly, I have done 5 marathons now and done 2 without what I needed to do, but this one really kicked my butt. I am not sure why the cramps where SO BAD. I need to correct this. As a matter of fact the legs continued to cramp into the late afternoon while watching football. My buddy who came into town also had bad leg cramps and as we sat and watch football it was kinda funny every once in a while one of us would have a calf cramp up. You did not know if we where yelling at the play or because of the cramp.

This is the first race where leg cramps just shut me down, I have had cramping before just not to this extent. I need to find out why and fix it.

Got 2 bottles of water and went home. A little streching.


Well this is a no brainer


Nice race, good crowds, aid stations and well organized.