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Shades Marathon Training
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So after queuing for the toilet,getting some water it meant I only had 30 mins left,it's about 0.7 mile to the start so a nice slow walk and into the well organised corrals.
Started exactly on time,my target was around 3:15(7.20 pace)based on my half,I knew the first 10k was significantly downhill so decided to run this to feel and aimed for 1:35 halfway to give me a 1:40 back.I read a stat that 81% have a positive split of 5 mins or more so it fitted.
Mile 1 was very downhill,I just ran down it at an easy effort and tried to avoid braking as I didn't want any damage to the quads.It came out at 7.07 and felt easy the next 3 got slightly faster and 4 was at 6.55.Even though it drops a lot there are still some decent uphills, and on these I tried to keep the effort even.I got to 10k at 44.40 ,which is about 50 secs ahead of target.The course then is basically level for 10m but again it has rolling hills.When I got to 10m it felt like I was working a bit hard so decided to take it a bit easier until 16.5 when the hills hit.At 20k we hit the loudest part of the course,the Wellesley scream tunnel,it was immense,you could here them as you approached and the news was amazing,I high fived tons of them but probably went a bit fast there.
I got 13.1 in 1:35:14 so slightly over but it felt like I'd gotten my effort back under control and felt happy with my pacing.A couple more easier miles brings me to mile 17 and the famed Newton Hills,I actually felt good here and was ready for them.1st hill up and over at 7:36 pace,already a lot of walkers here,after each hill you have a downhill so need to watch the quads,2nd hill exact same pace, I'm overtaking lots of people now,3rd slightly slower but still good,then I turn and see heartbreak hill,it doesn't look too bad,but it's my slowest mile at 7:49,now a general downhill finish for 5 miles,do I have anything left after the hills?
It's a downhill and I chuck in a 7:07 so the answer is yes.Another fast mile brings me to 24 and I'm starting to hurt,luckily the crowds here were amazing and helped me push through.I still slowed to 7:35 for 3 miles and a push for the last mile brought me home in 3:14:40 so pretty much what I expected.
Overall I loved the whole race and experience,the Boston crowds were brilliant,not as many as NYC but the way the course is makes it hard,but all the towns you go through come out for a party.
Forgot to add about weather,it actually ended up a bit warm,there was no cloud cover and sunny,there was a headwind for the last 26.2 miles buy I wouldn't say it had too much effect.
It definitely puts me in a good frame for GFA after August.
As you say sets you up nicely for your next goal of GFA time.
Enjoy yourself in NY.
That's tricky about your trip to NI for your 100th. Hopefully you'll know for definite what the plans are for your Dad so you can then make a decision whether to go or not. You don't want to go and then be worrying about your Dad all the time. You can always take up a late place at NDVM. If you put off your 100th for a few weeks/months then you can't run any marathons in the interim period.
Yes, recovery run really did help today. Legs didn't feel too bad when I got up and strangely unlike the last recovery run I had no specific pains/niggles such as knee and foot. But all the muscles are very tired, quads/hamstrings/calves and I don't think there's much glycogen left. Ran 5 miles, could have done without the frosty weather, my legs would have appreciated something warmer but good to get it done.
Davey asked me whether I was running or marshalling his May event, so I assume he's still organising that one as far as I know. I won't be there, I'm doing Halstead that weekend.
Rcouture - NDVM is one of my favourite races, definitely top 10, maybe even top 5. Only negative for me is the last mile is off road. But big positive is that a hog roast is included in the entry fee, delicious, perfect post marathon food. 😋
Big G, hope things work out for you.
Shades - Congrats on the 50k.
Cal - Congrats on 100 Parkruns!!
Big G - Hope your injury isn't too bad. I'm OK, had a sports massage, eased things off, but I can still feel tightness. Hasn't stopped me running and it has defo gotten easier.
Taper and a sports massage have eased my tightness in my calf (soleus). I've only run easy until Sunday and did 8*100m strides which felt OK. Then did 2 miles at MP today which came out to 6:45/6:55, so a touch too fast, but felt comfortable. Tightness hasn't stopped me running but I can still feel some discomfort but no pain, probably a 2/10 now, not sure if it's now just taper madness or what!! Did reduce my taper from 57/45 miles over the 2 weeks to 52/40 miles, so legs do feel fresh, but not sure if 26 at MP will be too much for the calf, I do have the option to drop at HM distance, so plan at the moment is to give it a go and see what happens.
Steve-Hope you can complete as your training has gone brilliantly.
Shades-Well done on getting your race finished,sounded a tough ending.
Big G-Tough decisions ahead with your dad,hope whatever you decide goes well.
Rcouture-It's usually 3-4 mins under but this year everyone got in.
The hills themselves aren't too bad it's just where they are on the course and so many people trash themselves before they get there with all the downs.
As I age before the next that's another BQ by 10 mins,also brings my majors average to about 3:19.Just need to figure Tokyo now as its going be hard for a couple of years.
Have to figure out when this picture was from as I look a bit too happy.
Big G - at least your mate hadn't travelled and got most of his money refunded. Must have been very disappointing though.
Hotel prices have gone through the roof since the pandemic, add that to a major race and it will be a lot of money.
Steve - I had a similar injury to my soleus and I was able to train, but that slight feeling it was still there and could 'go' at any time. It made me a bit nervous about racing but I taped it up and that made it feel supported and I was able to race with no problems. The taping gave me confidence to race, did a marathon and DD.
Don't know when results will be up on the website, think Davey had to get back to London last night.
I said it was a bit warm,don't know how but I'm sunburnt pretty bad in places,sure it was only about 12°
I was hoping for a better update at the hospital yesterday afternoon, but no sign of any plan forming as yet. When it happens, it may happen quite quickly though I suppose, fingers crossed.
It's those downhills that give such painful DOMS in the quads
Shades - The times are up now
I'll update the times tomorrow, only the seconds to add.