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Group Killer's Columbus 1/2 Marathon Story

10/19/2009

10 Comments

 
The moderator of this blog asked Jamie Robert's to describe his experience and he kindly allowed it to be posted here.
I have mixed feelings on the subject. On the plus side, given current fitness, today went as well as it could have. I ran 1:33 flat which is a PR by 3:40 (last one was 1:36:40). I never had a really bad patch, and ran consistent miles though fading over the whole run. Fastest mile was about 6:30, slowest probably 7:20. While that's a pretty big gap, the 6:30 was mile 2 and down hill, and the 7:20 was mile 12 and uphill. The middle 6 miles were all 7 min miles +/- 5 seconds. I can't be more precise because I lost my watch and don't have lap times, other than the official 10k split ... the rest is from memory of when I passed each mile (they had elapsed time clocks for each mile).

On the negative side, it wasn't what I was hoping for, which was 1:29:59 or better. The organizers had an official 10k chip timed split, and that was 42:48, which is a PR by 1:30 over my best 10k race. So that's good. And actually, the 10k split is very close to the 1:29:59 goal. I think at that point I was just 1 second per mile off goal. The 8 mile split was around 56 mins flat, which is also a PB (not a PR because I've never raced an 8 mile). It was at that point that I knew I couldn't beat 1:29:59 (I think I needed to be 54:56 or better).

What I've kept kind of quiet is how I've been injured for about the last month. Back in mid August I hurt my achillies running out at Dawes. I kept running though, however by September I had to cut out tempo and all but 1 speed work run because of the pain. Then just two weeks ago, I hurt my right knee. In July and August I had been up around 40 to 42 miles per week...last two weeks I did 16 and 4 respectively (not counting today). Not sure how much this hurt ultimately. I think without injury I may have been 2 mins faster ... still short of my original goal (maybe too aggresive of a goal?)

The knee surprisingly held up for the race, and for the first 9 miles I didn't notice it at all. However going down in to German Village, and then back up High out of GV, it started hurting and got worse. By time I ran past mile 12 and Mark VH (who was a volunteer and cheering for me), I was hurting pretty bad. I managed to run consistent, though I did fade from 10k on. I don't think I ever ran slower than about a 7:15.

As I sit here typing though, I can barely walk. The knee is hurting very badly. I'm going to stop running until November 1, so about two weeks. In the meantime, I'll do spin classes during the week, and maybe some light cycling on weekends weather permitting. Assuming I heal with no issues, I'll pick up running again, start around 25 miles per week, and see if I can't get to 50 or 60 per week by March. All easy runs (~7:50 or slower). If I hold up, I'll introduce tempo and speedwork for March and April, and then see if I can't tear up the Cap City Half on May 1. On the other hand, I may eat all winter and return to my flabby self.  Below is an image of me measuring myself last year.  I think this will turn on Amanda and Cindy, probably Peggy too, heck maybe even Craig.
Picture
10 Comments
Fast Female in Canal
10/20/2009 01:31:07 am

So Dan Farley Completed the marathon in 3:02. So does that mean there are two options, a half and a whole marathon that you can choose to run? Yep, I know nothing about running. I prefer to ride my bike!

Reply
WTG
10/20/2009 02:28:33 am

Way to go, Jamie! You've come a long way and should be proud of yourself!

What are your cycling plans/goals for next year? Are you considering racing in the spring?

Reply
DCB
10/20/2009 05:19:50 am

Dude, you need to take it easy...RICE it! Been there done that...you want to continue to run...RICE it! This is your conscience speaking!

Reply
Nice job!
10/20/2009 06:14:20 am

What he's not telling you-all is that he finished in the top 5% of his age group.

Way to go Jamie. Now, the foam roller is your friend. Might not feel like it when you're on it ... but it is.

- Signed, Negative splits the whole way and beating myself up over 42 seconds.



Reply
JR
10/20/2009 08:00:34 am

RICEing it all the time. Taking two weeks off then starting back up.

As for plans for next year, they involve running and not cycling. No more "group killing" for me in the future.

Only cycling I forsee is the occasional recovery ride by myself.

Reply
Mark VH
10/20/2009 08:37:35 am

Congratulations Jamie. Being injured and setting a PR while missing your goal by only 3 minutes is actually a lot to be proud of in my book. And that's saying nothing about where you were a year ago. When I saw you at mile 12 you did appear to be a bit toasted. Glad it didn't knock you out. I agree, RICE now. Then consider the Last Chance for Boston race in February (date not yet set). I've participated 5 of the last 6 years and plan to do so again; competing with 500 instead of 15000 has it advantages.

Reply
Cindy
10/20/2009 09:27:10 am

Jamie, congratulations on your time! I think you would have met your goal had you not been injured. I'm sure it held you back more than you are admitting. Do take some recovery time and get healed properly.

Dan, congratulations on your marathon. Now we know where you've been all year! Still miss you on rides.

Congratulations to Susan too; she did the half marathon and then taught aerobics on Monday and biked with me today. You Runners are crazy!

Reply
JR
10/20/2009 10:54:26 am

Thanks for all the kind words. I've heard of the "foam roller" but don't know what it is. I might make a trip to frontrunner tomorrow and inquire.

The most frustrating part is that I'm willing and have the aerobics to put in hard work, but my damn legs keep getting injured. Achillies, IT Band. At least I'm long over the shin problems.

Reply
Critic
10/20/2009 11:21:37 am

"Top 5% in his age group"???? So what. How'd he do against the Kenyans, the Nairobians, the South Africaners, the Sudanese, the Iraquis, the Morrocons, the Macaroons, and all the other really fast runners from Africa? Jamie's age group is populated by mostly fat guys. I'll be impressed by top 5% against the world's best.

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Nanaimo SEO link
10/4/2012 07:42:07 pm

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    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

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