2 marathons in 2 weeks... time for a rest

Today's Detroit Free Press Marathon was awesome. I answered all of the questions that I knew would bother me all winter long if I didn't give it another try. Yes, the inhaler mattered. Yes, I took it out too fast in Chicago. No, I wasn't ready to break 4 hours (despite a 3 hour 20 mile training run). I ran almost 1 hour faster than Chicago, maybe not as fast as I was originally hoping for, but I am totally happy with today's effort. Melissa and my parents were awesome today. I had running mates for over 9 of the miles (4 w/ Mel and 5+ with Dad). I'm thankful for having my health and the ability to run these things. I look forward to my next marathon... many months from now.

The Detroit race compares very favorably to Chicago. The run over the Ambassador bridge into Canada was beautiful, not to mention unique. Running back to the US via the tunnel was kinda cool too, but it was hot in that tunnel compared to the 45 degree temps outside. Running through Downtown, Mexican Town, Belle Isle, and Indian Village showed a whole different side of Detroit. I wish I knew how to fix Detroit, it's a great place, just dying for some attention. Finishing on the 50 yard line at Ford Field was a real treat, but the stairs out of the stadium were painful. The crowd was much smaller, but so was the field. 40,000 in Chicago, only 5000 in Detroit. The people that did come out were great, but I'm sure that is true of every race.

On track for marathon #2

Hal has some advice for multiple marathons. I'm not sure if any of it really applies to me, but I'm using his 2 week schedule to plan my runs between the Chicago and Detroit marathons. I am looking forward to Detroit next weekend, especially running back and forth between Canada and the US. I am not too worried, I think that I just visted the "worst case scenario" last weekend. I may be nuts for trying this again so soon, but I have to believe that by changing a few things I'll have a much better experience.

Things that still bug me about Chicago:

• After running my 20 mile training run in around 3 hours, I was dead tired at mile 14 of the marathon. Is that all because I forgot my inhaler? Seems fishy. Regardless, I'm not going to fool around with the 4 hour pace. I was out in 1:59 in Chicago, if I'm out in 2:15, I'll be smiling in Detroit.
• Can it get worse? I will stop running and go home at any point in the race if I feel lite headed this time. I told Melissa that I'd run with a cell phone. I totally understand her feelings, it was probably not fun waiting for me at the finish line last weekend.
• Did I eat right? I've felt great on all my long training runs, but I really didn't get to test out my marathon diet due to all the other circumstances. I guess I'll have some things to learn in Detroit too.

3 miles - feeling good

I'm getting over a cold, but running is feeling pretty good. 3 miles last night felt as easy as 3 miles is supposed to feel. I guess walking nearly half of the marathon would explain my legs not being too beat up. I'm getting more and more excited about signing up for Detroit... there are so many things to do different.

My wife is the best ever. I know she's supporting me no matter what I decide.

2 Days Later

It was right about now two days ago that I had left the first aid tent and was on my way to the finish line. I have gone back and forth with how the day went. I refuse to be disappointed, despite the meltdown. I finished a marathon.

Lessons Learned:
- Don't forget anything regarding prerace routines (especially inhalers)
- Stopping because you feel like you are going to pass out is not something to be ashamed of, those 40 minutes in the first aid tent saved my (brain?) day
- There are a lot of great people that finish in 5+ hours
- Finish 90% of Hal's novice program and you are probably undertrained for the distance, a fact that Hal admits in his book. The only reason I bring it up is that I looked at VO2 charts and other stuff to try to find my pace, I should not have taken it out so fast. Due to the other circumstances, I'm not going to analyse my pace beyond saying that it was probably too fast.

So now what? Well, call me crazy, but I'm thinking about signing up for the Detroit Free Press marathon in 2 weeks. My body isn't too beat up from this one, I walked most of the 2nd half. I am already trained and in decent shape for the distance. I think that the biggest reason is that I don't want to sit on this marathon experience for the next 6-12 months. I want to strap on the shoes and do it right.






Besides, how often do you have the opportunity to take an HOUR off of your time! I may still change my mind depending on how the body reacts to a few miles tomorrow.

Finished... barely

I had an unforgettable 1st marathon. I'm not ready to provide analysis, but it involved a beautiful Chicago day, amazing crowd support, an awesome first 13.1 miles, an asthma attack (left inhaler in Michigan), paramedics checking my vital signs, about 9 miles of walking, a 40 minute break in the first aid tent, some puffs on a borrowed rescue inhaler, and a final run in relative ease. I finished and I'm VERY happy about my day, even with the total disaster that it became.

Thanks for the support of those who have ever posted/read this site. I owe huge amounts of thanks to Jim who ran with me and Melissa, Adam, and Nicole who cheered me on.

And if any of you take for granted an aspect of your pre-race ritual (inhaler, band-aids, stretching, etc.), please learn a lesson from me, it's probably more important than you think.

2 Days

In exactly 2 days, I'll be 12 minutes into the marathon. I probably won't have crossed the starting line yet because I am going to be near the back of the pack of the 40,000 people running Chicago this weekend. It seems like it is still months away. I am feeling good from the resting of the legs the last few weeks, but running has been replaced by homework, MBA career fairs, and interviews. It will seem much more real when Melissa and I leave for Chicago tonight.

The weather looks like it is going to be great for running on Sunday. I'm almost thankful that I have been too busy to think about the race these last couple weeks. I know that I have done the training. I completed over 90% of Hal's mileage and all of the long runs. My 20 mile run was not too bad. I guess there isn't really anything left to do except get some sleep, drink a lot of water, and eat some pasta.

I stayed GU free during my training, I just think it's kind of strange to get calories that way. I'm planning on getting water and sports drink at every available station. I read in this months Runner's World that Chicago has stations on both sides of the street and that the left side is always less busy. I've read Hal's books, a book about 1st time marathon experiences, Lance Armstrong's book (It's Not About...), a little bit of Chi Running (Cheese Running), and every issue of Runners World from cover to cover the last 4 months. I think that I'm mentally prepared. I'm just excited to find out what the first marathon will be like for me.