quote:<HR>Originally posted by mplatzke:
The one thing I'll disagree with is the race-of-a-lifetime comment. You're doing a marathon a month. I think you'd have a shot at sub 2:50 if you focused on fewer marathons one season. Not saying you should do this - you obviously do whatever makes you happy - but I think you have much faster race in you if you ever decide to go that route.<HR>

PlatzMan, you're absolutely right in that if I ever want a 2:50 or something similar, I'd have to get more serious about speedwork, rid myself of garbage days (like my little streak), and pick and choose my marathons, like maybe one per marathon season (spring/fall).

But this is exactly why I say this was the race of a lifetime. Let me see if I can explain this.

To be honest, my quest at Marathon-A-Month was inspired by a close friend of mine. When I had heard he did a marathon a month for a year, I immediately felt a calling, as if the challenge was waiting for me. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever associate running a marathon a month with running fast. The marathons were supposed to be solid efforts, some strolls in the park, but none -- or very few -- were supposed to be about racing. The night before my marathon in February, I was feeling very strong and decided to race. So I did. 5 minutes before the start of Sugarloaf, that's when I decided to at least "hang with the pack". By mile 1 I knew I was racing it. But it wasn't supposed to be that way. It just happened.

What blows me away is that I nailed that sub-3 with very little speedwork, few tempo runs, and way too many "garbage" days. The thing is, running marathons at this point is totally secondary to Ironman. I can't begin to explain how my thoughts are popping with all things Iron. And I love it. Running marathons, at this point, are fun.

The race of a lifetime, really, came out of nowhere. Before the race, I was certain I would not go sub-3 -- or even take a chance at it -- until next year. But since I know it often takes several attempts to align fitness and confidence and experience, I thought it would not realistically happen until fall of '08 or maybe spring or fall of '09.

Then, up in Maine at Sugarloaf, in the span of 2 hours 56 minute 46 seconds, it happened.

That to me is astonishing.

Immediately after crossing the finish line, I told the girl that I was done with racing marathons for a long time. That sucker hurt so much -- drained me both mentally and physically -- that I don't know if I'll even take a shot at another sub-3, or even a "fast" (for me) marathon, until fall, or maybe next spring. It hurt too much. Knowing what it takes to put together a sub-3 just blows my mind out. It's a lot of work -- and I'm just talking about race day. Those sub-3 hours seem to last forever. To hold on for 2 hour and 50 plus minutes is really punishing.

Here's how tired I was after crossing the finish line in Sugarloaf: After hugs and kisses and high-fives and thank yous, I finally made my way over to the food table. I stashed a bunch of stuff in a bag, some donut holes in my mouth, and got a very large cup filled with this amazing granola. I tipped back a mouthful of the crunchy goodness into my mouth. I was so phyiscally tired that I started laughing. Because I couldn't chew the granola. Two chews left me winded. Then I couldn't even laugh. My mouth hurt too much. I later told the girl that it was like trying to get a Gu down when I was holding on by a bitty thread -- you knew you needed to Gu, but it took nearly a mile to get it all in. And even when it was in, you were breathing so hard that you had to let it trickle in.

Yeah, that sucker hurt.

Thanks again, man. Maybe we'll get to work a race together at some point.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by hazelrah:
ussoccer, I am very impressed, great job. I was there running, so I can relate to the conditons, I was just way,way,way,...,way behind you . Thanks for the great report. That was my 3rd Sugraloaf. I have yet to see the mountains during the race. The previous 2 times I stayed for Monday to climb Biglelow Mountain, where the skies cleared enough to see the Mountain peaks(partly sunny days). This time I went home because the forecast for Monday was more of what you saw on Sunday. I have seen the course on a clear day, and it is stunningly beautiful, especially around mile 3-4 where you run through the bogs and have lakes on either side of you, and there is a great view of Bigelow and "the Horns". Best wishes in your future IM endeavors.<HR>

Thanks, Hazel. Question: Did you by chance do some hiking in the mountains around Sugarloaf the day before the race? I was on the transportation bus with a fellow who had done a 20-plus mile hike the day before. He also said after the marathon he would do some more hiking. Maybe that was YOU!?

All, thanks again for your kind words. My body is finally recovering. Did a hard bike today. Seems my legs are more recovered than my lungs. Easy runs for a while will get me back. Thanks again for motivating me.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by hazelrah:
Aside from the rain, I think there is still several feet of mushy snow in the high elevations this year due to the late snow storms in April.<HR>

This is EXACTLY what Mr. Mountain Man/Marathoner said.