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Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Fredericksburg, Virginia
United States
Marine Corp Marathon office
60F / 16C
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 50m 46s
Overall Rank = 668/3822
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 95/534
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 4:00 AM, made coffee and oatmeal w/ a banana, went to the bathroom and hit the road. I Started drving to Fredericksburg at about 4:50. I made it there at about 6:00 AM.
Event warmup:

I hung out in the Expo center and stretched until 6:30 then checked my bag in and went outside. I started warming up, slow jogs in the parking lot and my legs did not feel the best, I was not sure what was up; but I did not think too much of it at this point.
Run
  • 1h 50m 46s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 28s  min/mile
Comments:

My run started out okay, My "A" goal was 1:45, and I wanted to go out fast and build up a cushion so I could go slower toward the end (up hill). About 2 miles in, I was at 14:50, so I had 1:10 lead on my goal pace. By mile 4 I was at 30 minutes, so I had two minutes in the bag. By this time I started to really feel my legs though, they were starting to feel like cement, I was really pushing to keep up the pace, by mile 5 I had to back off, I was working too hard and I just could not keep it up anymore. When I made it to mile 7 in old town Fredericksburg I took my hammer gel, I think it helped some, but not a whole lot. By this time my legs were killing me, and I figured out why. I've read that it is not a smart idea to get a massage (deep tissue type at least) immediately before a race; well I bought "the stick" yesterday and used it for about 30 minutes on my legs, I went really deep. So I'm thinking this was part of my problem. I think my nutrition and hydration were right, I certainly did not over train, and the only other possibility (I can think of) is under training. Until I can figure it out, I'm sticking with blaming "the stick". Back to the race...

About this time there was a volunteer in the road with a orange flag yelling at everyone "ONLY SIX MILES LEFT, PICK UP THE PACE LADIES, THIS IS A RACE YOU NEED TO PUSH IT, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, START RUNNING” The first thing I thought of was the Movie Mr. Woodcock, he was about the same age as him; it was funny.

Mile 8 was 1:04, I was at exactly 8 min mile pace and I did not hit the hard parts yet, I knew I was in for it, I could not maintain 8 minute miles for 5 more miles, my legs were wrecked, my heart rate was high.

At mile 10 my time was 1:21:30, which means my last two miles I ran at 8:45, and shortly after that I got to hit the wonderful hills the whole way back. I was slow, damn slow.

I saw my buddy Will & his wife Cynthia at mile 12.5 which was about 1:45 into the race, I was dying at this point, I could not even pick up the pace to run fast across the line.

Afterwards I felt horrible, I still do. My head hurts; I feel like I have a fever, my muscles feel like crap, I actually feel worse than I did when I ran the last marathon.

What would you do differently?:

Not use the stick, sleep more before, and get a 15 miler in two to three weeks prior.
Post race
Warm down:

I walked to the expo center to get my stuff, stretched for about five minutes. Then I went to get a beer and ate at IHOP with my buddy.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I think it is the stick, but could be wrong, I have been wrong once before so it is bound to happen again.

Event comments:

The Marines always know how to setup an event.




Last updated: 2008-04-13 12:00 AM
Running
01:50:46 | 13.1 miles | 08m 28s  min/mile
Age Group: 95/534
Overall: 668/3822
Performance: Average
Course: The course was hilly, and the hill at the end almost killed me. It started at the new Expo Center in Frederiksburg, over I-95 and winds you through old Fredericksburg, along the river then onto a paved trail, back onto a road towards the Expo Center.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Below average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Ok
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] 4

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2008-05-19 8:53 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon


2008-05-19 9:03 AM
in reply to: #1410402

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Veteran
149
10025
King George, VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
damn stick.  nice pace leading up to the hills.  that was my plan too, but the leg didn't hold up AT ALL!
2008-05-19 9:06 AM
in reply to: #1410402

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Master
1678
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Olney, MD
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon

Nice job with the race yesterday!!  Miles 10 and 11 were brutal. 

2008-05-19 10:04 AM
in reply to: #1410402

Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
Great job - you beat the goal time that's posted on your blog I wouldn't blame the stick just yet - maybe just blame ill-timed use of the stick I heart the stick.
2008-05-19 10:11 AM
in reply to: #1410402

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Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
It sounds like you probably learned a lot from this race... stuff you'll be able to apply to the next one, which I predict you hit your "A" goal at.  That said, nice job.  You still finished in the top 20% of your AG, and there's a lot to be said for that.
Z
2008-05-19 10:38 AM
in reply to: #1410402

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Master
1652
10005001002525
Reston, VA
Gold member
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
Great job, Babes! No matter what you think


2008-05-19 1:49 PM
in reply to: #1410402

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Elite
2844
200050010010010025
Reston VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
Great race BITM!!! The way I see it, this is your 4th PR in 4 races
2008-05-19 1:56 PM
in reply to: #1410402

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Expert
1166
10001002525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon

You did great, even if you didn't make your 'super-secret' goal. You are getting faster every race and that is awesome. After seeing your Mr. Woodcock pictures in your log, you are dead on with your comparison.

Nice race!

2008-05-20 8:48 AM
in reply to: #1410402

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Master
1420
1000100100100100
Reston, VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
Good solid race and nice improvement.

I have always heard that you should try to slightly negative split anything over 10 miles so maybe you took it out a little too hard?

Still a very nice race - your run has really come a long way fast. Combine it with an improving swim and your killer bike and you are becoming an excellent triathlete.

Congrats again on a good race.
2008-05-20 9:12 AM
in reply to: #1410402

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Extreme Veteran
393
100100100252525
Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon

Great job out there - that was a tough course to negative split for sure.  Hope your recovery is going better today!

2008-05-20 2:47 PM
in reply to: #1410402

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Master
1565
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SMIBville
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
Great job man.  That's a nice PR, too.  Next time out you'll hit a 1:45.


2008-05-20 2:48 PM
in reply to: #1410402

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Master
2201
2000100100
Elgin,
Subject: RE: Marine Corp Historic Half Marathon
Good job on finishing the course.  I hope that you are feeling better now that your body has had a chance to recover.

Edited by tlnewman30 2008-05-20 2:51 PM
2008-05-20 2:57 PM
in reply to: #1410402

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