General Discussion Race Reports! » Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon - RunMarathon


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Virginia Beach, Virginia
United States
Shamrock Sportsfest
37F / 3C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 48m 4s
Overall Rank = 103/675
Age Group = F40-44
Age Group Rank = 14/95
Pre-race routine:

I met 3 other BTers (DB8, fastcat74, and Mandy7741) and we went to packet pickup and the Expo together. I had a great time hanging out with them. The only downside to the experience, was picking up my shirt. They gave out really nice long sleeve technical shirts to the marathoners. The only problem was that they only had larges left!! I am 5'3". I swim in this shirt. The sleeves hang two inches past my finger tips. Do you know how disappointing it is to finally get a really nice race shirt and then not be able to use it?

After lying awake since 3:30, I got up at 5:30 and ate breakfast. I had a banana and a bagel w/ peanut butter. I grabbed the newspaper left outside the hotel door to get a weather forecast so I could decide how to dress. The newspapers forecast was "cool and breezy" (what an understatement - as it was actually "cold and windy"). I put on my tights, two tech shirts, my Mizunos, hat, ear warmers, and gloves. Then I added a throw away sweat suit to wear until the start.
Event warmup:

My warmup was the walk from my hotel room to the start line for the half marathon (to watch them take off) and then back to the start line for the full marathon - about 20 blocks total.
Run
  • 3h 48m 4s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 08m 42s  min/mile
Comments:

It was a tough run. The temperature wasn't bad (warmer than the Myrtle Beach race I ran last month). But the wind was rough.

The first 5 miles were good. I warmed up quickly and fell into a comfortable pace. Around mile 5 I took of my gloves and tossed them to the side of the road. Then we turned north and picked up a headwind (19 mph). The wind got worse the further we went. The two miles on the boardwalk were probably the worst. My knee began to hurt from running on the concrete and the headwind seemed strongest there. My hands at this point were frozen stiff from the wind. I saw my daughter on the boardwalk and I tried to wave at her. My fingers wouldn't bend. I was determined to hold my pace even with the headwind. I knew this was risky, because if I ran too hard at the beginning I ran the risk of running out of energy for the end. But since the only reason I was running this race was to qualify for Boston, I had no choice. I had to keep pace - so I was either going to make it or die trying. We got a break from the wind from mile 16 to 19 when we entered the woods, which was a relief. I checked my time at this point and realized I was two minutes ahead of my goal time. I thought I should be able to hold onto this now. After we left the woods, we would soon be turning south and have the winds at our backs (if I could just hold on until mile 20, I would be home free). Mile 20 came and so did the pain! My legs hurt so bad at this point that I wasn't sure I make the last 6.2 miles. I also noticed my time started to slip. I kept telling myself that the tailwind would help me get through the last 6 miles, "just keep moving". It is funny how you don't feel the tailwind like you do the headwind. I am assuming there was one! I did notice when the wind would shift though - I almost got knocked off my feet once from a cross wind. I concentrated on trying to hold my pace for the next few miles. At mile 23, I checked my time again and realized I had lost most of that 2 minute cushion. I was still on pace, but with only 30 seconds to spare. I told myself that I hadn't work this hard in this race to lose it in the last few miles!! So, I picked up the pace. I ran as fast as my aching legs would allow. There came a point where I thought I was going to collapse. At mile 25 I developed a side stitch. By mile 26 my entire right leg hurt and my left hamstring was starting to cramp. Then we turned onto the boardwalk and I could see the finish line. I ran a little faster. When I got close enough to see the clock, I knew I had made my BQ time but I wasn't slowing - I sprinted (or as close to a sprint as I could manage at this point) across the finish line.

Splits:
6 mile - 50:54 (8:29 pace)
13.1 mile - 1:53:08 (8:39 pace)
18 mile - 2:36:53 (8:43 pace)
26.2 mile - 3:48:04 (8:43 pace)
What would you do differently?:

I would have held on to my gloves for the portion of the run into the wind!
Post race
Warm down:

I thought my legs were going to give out when I crossed the finish line, but they didn't. They hurt really bad though. I walked through the finishing chute and picked up my medal and my finisher's hat (that was nice) and a water and banana. I tried to peel the banana, but my fingers were still stiff. All I was thinking at this point was that I wanted a post race massage (it had helped so much after the MB race). But if they were offering massages, I couldn't find them. So I walked the 9 blocks back to my hotel. We had requested a late checkout, so I had an hour to get back to the hotel, shower and change. While at the hotel, my husband and daughter massaged my legs for me - bless them!!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The wind!




Last updated: 2007-02-22 12:00 AM
Running
03:48:04 | 26.2 miles | 08m 42s  min/mile
Age Group: 14/95
Overall: 103/675
Performance: Good
The mile markers seemed well placed, except for two. According to my time and my Garmin, mile 5 was long and mile 6 was short. I missed two mile markers (mile 3 and 15) so I didn't hit lap button for those. Mile 1 - 8:21 Mile 2 - 8:26 Mile 3&4 - 16:54 Mile 5 - 9:40 Mile 6 - 7:32 Mile 7 - 9:13 Mile 8 - 8:29 Mile 9 - 8:30 Mile 10 - 8:33 Mile 11 - 8:42 Mile 12 - 8:52 Mile 13 - 8:55 Mile 14 - 8:50 Mile 15&16 - 17:41 Mile 17 - 8:38 Mile 18 - 9:39 (stopped to use bathroom) Mile 19 - 8:44 Mile 20 - 8:44 Mile 21 - 8:50 Mile 22 - 8:48 Mile 23 - 8:39 Mile 24 - 8:25 Mile 25 - 8:40 (side stitch) Mile 26 - 8:29 Last .2 - 1:41
Course: The course began in the middle of Virginia Beach. We started by heading south for about 5.5 miles, then turned around and headed north for about 15 miles, then turned south again for the last six miles. A lot of the course was run on Atlantic Ave, but there were a couple of miles (miles 10-12 and last .2) that were run on the concrete boardwalk.
Keeping cool Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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:
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

{postbutton}
2007-03-19 8:12 AM

User image

Veteran
205
100100
Fayetteville, NC
Subject: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon


2007-03-19 8:39 AM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Extreme Veteran
372
1001001002525
Williamsburg, Virginia
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
GREAT JOB..The wind was tough on the boardwalk, luckily I had held onto my gloves.
2007-03-19 9:11 AM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Expert
1070
10002525
North Carolina
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Great Race and Report!!! I ran into the same problem with the wind on my first marathon in Richmond!! It beat me down like it did you. I also made the big mistake of throwing away my gloves that day........wise man knows better now!!!
2007-03-19 12:02 PM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Veteran
264
1001002525
Wilmington, NC
Gold member
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Fantastic race and race report, great job considering how windy and cold it was.
Boston here you come.
2007-03-19 12:14 PM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Master
1477
1000100100100100252525
Southwest Chicago 'burbs
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Great race and CONGRATULATIONS for qualifying!!  This was my first marathon last year, and that wind sure can beat you down ... but you did an awesome job keeping pace.
2007-03-19 1:32 PM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Awesome BQ run!!!  Glad that you had a good time and great race in Va Beach.


2007-03-19 1:46 PM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Master
1254
10001001002525
Chesapeake, VA
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon

Congrats on a BQ!!!!!!!!!!  Great race, especially considering the wind.  Although, I have to tell you that 'that kind of wind' is 'typical' along the Oceanfront this time of year.  That being said, it killed me too.  I wish I knew there was someone so close to me trying to BQ.  I would have gladly served as a wind block for you going up Atlantic Ave.  At least that way, something useful would have come out of yesterday's run for me.

Congratulations again on the BQ!  You earned it! 

2007-03-19 2:42 PM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Great race!!!  The wind yesterday was so bad.  Congratulations on your BQ!!!!!!
2007-03-20 6:20 PM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Veteran
174
1002525
Severna Park, MD
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
You are a STUD!!! What an awesome race...you must be so proud, and you should be! Fine job pushing the envelope enduring the pain and. I am really really impressed.
Congrats!
2007-03-20 8:54 PM
in reply to: #727919

Extreme Veteran
340
10010010025
Cary, NC
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
YOU'RE MY HERO!  Great race report.  So stoked for your BQ.  Wow.  From first timer to BQ'er in two back-to-back marathons.  Fabulous!  Love how you really fought and WON the mental battle at the back end of the race--good for you.
2007-03-20 9:28 PM
in reply to: #727919

Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Awesome job, I was so excited to see that you had BQ's. Way to tough it out, it was rough out there! It was so nice meeting you and look forward to hear how Boston goes!!


2007-03-21 7:35 AM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Veteran
307
100100100
Charlotte
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Wow -- Great race! Congratulations on your BQ!
2007-03-21 9:59 AM
in reply to: #727919

User image

Regular
63
2525
Lynchburg, Virginia
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
Great job and congratulations on the BQ time!!! You should be very proud of yourself, especially with the strong finish. Good luck in Boston!!!!

I ran the race as well and I agree that the wind was awful on the boardwalk. I was concerned about the wind as well so I used a jacket as a top layer, which worked perfectly. I was able to use the pockets for my gloves when there wasn't wind and could use the zipper to help cool down when out of the wind. I ended up shedding it in the last 6 miles and finished in short sleeves.
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Rss Feed