October 20, 2012
Crown Center
Kansas City, MO
Whatever anyone tells you about training, training plans, and the necessity of the "long run", throw it out with the garbage.
After suffering from an Achilles rip-up in the early winter season, I was forced to take off a few months from running. It drove me mad! I had no choice but to sit...on the bike, and in the water was my only avenue for fitness. Did it pay off? Of course it did. But I won't dwell on the injury.
Just like 2011, where I ran my first marathon, I was undertrained physically. Except this year, I had a total of 16 weeks of running, whereas the year before I ran year-round. My progression up to the marathon was slow and deliberate, with the following as my monthly totals:
June - 60 miles
July - 61 miles
August - 104 miles
September - 143 miles
October - 106 miles
I ran a lot of 9 - 11 mile runs at a relaxed pace, with some light pick-ups toward the end. My longest run was 11.2 miles.
I decided to run the marathon as I walked into packet pick-up. I had decided against the marathon a few weeks prior, but reconsidered at the last minute. I felt I was ready emotionally, and was confident my body would hold up enough to finish. I was 100% correct.
I started just behind the 3:15 pace group, and settled into a nice relaxed pace for the first 5k. But I felt a faster speed was needed, and it felt good in my legs, and I quickly passed the pace group around 4 miles. But the downhills are my weakness, and I had not trained to take them quickly. I was swallowed up by the 3:15 group around the Plaza. It didn't bother me. I was taking it mile by mile.
A marathon is a full-blown emotional commitment for me. It is more taxing than the physical workout. It's like deciding to get married. Well, not quite, but close. It's a 26.2 mile prayer really. And I don't mince my words. I know I am blessed to even be able to run, much less run a marathon. So to worry about pace and time, I just don't care. I didn't wear a watch, and never looked for split. It makes it all the more enjoyable.
After mile 12, I adjusted my mind to the upcoming miles, and prepared to be emotionally challenged. The challenge never came. I cruised through the remaining miles until mile 24, where my hamstrings cramped fierce. I stopped for 15 seconds to stretch, and when a slow run didn't alleviate the pain, I found a fast run did.
26.2 miles later, I finished in 3:18. To say I am pleased is an understatement. I ran less this year, due to injury, and didn't put in the long runs. But I put in more mental work than ever before.
I love the marathon. The reward is fantastic. It is humbling and confidence-building all in one. 26.2 miles will change you, forever. But you have to make a commitment to yourself. You have to commit to the mental work just as much as the physical. Could I have ran faster? Of course. Do I care? Yes, a little.
So what's next?
M
