I recall completing my first half marathon back in January. I ran it with Divine M, a fellow KRer and colleague.<br><br>
After the race when she asked me when I would do my first marathon I laughed and said “never, no way, that’s just crazy talk”.<br><br>
I gradually increase my weekend long runs, not really as part of a training program, just to see what I could do. When I began doing 18 comfortably I decided, OK maybe I can do a marathon.<br><br>
I focused on a modified Higdon Intermittent II-Advanced I program that I thought would work for me. I maxed out at 55 miles per week with some decent intensity and a longest run of 23.5 miles.<br><br>
I felt confident in my training.<br><br>
I wake up at 3:45 AM on race day morning, drink most of a pot of coffee, eat a bowl of oatmeal and I am out the door. I eat two bananas and drink about 20oz of water during the 1:45 minute drive to Hartford. Thank goodness for the empty port-o-john I found.<br><br>
I arrive a bit later than I had planned and my nerves were definitely off the charts; pre-race jitters and too much coffee. I find the Civic center, and get to meet GingerBread and her SO. She kinda smiles at me as I babble something incoherent and I run down stairs to check in. The lines were very long.<br><br>
I jog over to the Carousel looking for Shades, but must have missed her. I get over to the starting line at Elm St. and go towards the back of the pack. I wanted to force myself to start out slow.<br><br>
I maintain excellent pace discipline. After the first crowed mile or so I am running about 9:15 to 9:30 and get to the 13 mile marker in just under 2 :10, my negative split goal was in sight.<br><br>
I thought the race organization was excellent. We had great crowd support, ample water stops and plenty of race volunteers.<br><br>
I settle in behind the 4:00 pacer and ease into a nice rhythm. We approach what I though was mile 15 and it turns out to be mile 17. Great stuff; I am feeling strong and in control.<br><br>
I get to the bridge and then the muscle cramps kick in. My left calf feels like it is going to explode. From mile 21-24 I need to mix in walking with running as each new wave of cramps kick in.<br><br>
I get to mile 24 and feel much better. I can settle into a slow run and finish the course in 4:27:55.<br><br>
I am very happy with this finish.<br><br>
I walk around the park a bit and call my SO. I feel like a world beater. It was a very good day. She asks me if I will run another marathon and I say “never, no way, that’s crazy talk”.<br><br>
She calls me later that day to make sure I got home alright. I tell her there is a warm weather state marathon coming up that I am considering…<br><br>
Thank you for reading my first race report
After the race when she asked me when I would do my first marathon I laughed and said “never, no way, that’s just crazy talk”.<br><br>
I gradually increase my weekend long runs, not really as part of a training program, just to see what I could do. When I began doing 18 comfortably I decided, OK maybe I can do a marathon.<br><br>
I focused on a modified Higdon Intermittent II-Advanced I program that I thought would work for me. I maxed out at 55 miles per week with some decent intensity and a longest run of 23.5 miles.<br><br>
I felt confident in my training.<br><br>
I wake up at 3:45 AM on race day morning, drink most of a pot of coffee, eat a bowl of oatmeal and I am out the door. I eat two bananas and drink about 20oz of water during the 1:45 minute drive to Hartford. Thank goodness for the empty port-o-john I found.<br><br>
I arrive a bit later than I had planned and my nerves were definitely off the charts; pre-race jitters and too much coffee. I find the Civic center, and get to meet GingerBread and her SO. She kinda smiles at me as I babble something incoherent and I run down stairs to check in. The lines were very long.<br><br>
I jog over to the Carousel looking for Shades, but must have missed her. I get over to the starting line at Elm St. and go towards the back of the pack. I wanted to force myself to start out slow.<br><br>
I maintain excellent pace discipline. After the first crowed mile or so I am running about 9:15 to 9:30 and get to the 13 mile marker in just under 2 :10, my negative split goal was in sight.<br><br>
I thought the race organization was excellent. We had great crowd support, ample water stops and plenty of race volunteers.<br><br>
I settle in behind the 4:00 pacer and ease into a nice rhythm. We approach what I though was mile 15 and it turns out to be mile 17. Great stuff; I am feeling strong and in control.<br><br>
I get to the bridge and then the muscle cramps kick in. My left calf feels like it is going to explode. From mile 21-24 I need to mix in walking with running as each new wave of cramps kick in.<br><br>
I get to mile 24 and feel much better. I can settle into a slow run and finish the course in 4:27:55.<br><br>
I am very happy with this finish.<br><br>
I walk around the park a bit and call my SO. I feel like a world beater. It was a very good day. She asks me if I will run another marathon and I say “never, no way, that’s crazy talk”.<br><br>
She calls me later that day to make sure I got home alright. I tell her there is a warm weather state marathon coming up that I am considering…<br><br>
Thank you for reading my first race report
