Thoughts on my first marathon in years: “The Comeback “ - HARDEST THING I HAVE DONE IN A LONG TIME IN SPORT! And first marathon where I never walked a single step (even when running sub 3:10s, I would often at least walk some aid stations, or walk out a cramp or just walk because I imploded). And I’ve run >24! 1) Best execution of a HR race plan I have ever followed - Chart attached... right on the edge but never cracked (until I crossed the line). The pacing build kept me from hitting a wall and being miserable. I also wasn’t chasing a BQ or PR so I didn’t try to go nuts the last couple miles. Today was about finishing my first marathon in years, and being mentally on. I know that I got the best from myself I could today, given my fitness... I had been training 60-120 miles a week... this time around - 20-30 miles a week. 2) I was under fueled, somewhat by choice... being out of serious competition as long as I have, I didn’t want to take in too much and have GI issues. That worked, and no cramps, but the underfueling impacted pace and left me depleted after. Took me a while to get back on track today. 3) It is tough to go from really fast to not really fast... I am definitely rebuilding after 4 years off... but the mental side of this was excellent and my run fitness was better than I thought (still long way to go). Very encouraging and important step toward being to push myself hard physically again. It had been so long since I was tested. I was fully expecting to fall apart around mile 20 and suffering terribly... that fear and the pacing plan from Coach Chris Lee kept me out of that trouble! 4). Cleveland marathon was excellent! Very well organized and I liked the new course!

 Thoughts on my first marathon in years:

“The Comeback “ - HARDEST THING I HAVE DONE IN A LONG TIME IN SPORT!  And first marathon where I never walked a single step (even when running sub 3:10s, I would often at least walk some aid stations, or walk out a cramp or just walk because I imploded). And I’ve run >24!

1) Best execution of a HR race plan I have ever followed - Chart attached...  right on the edge but never cracked (until I crossed the line). The pacing build kept me from hitting a wall and being miserable.  I also wasn’t chasing a BQ or PR so I didn’t try to go nuts the last couple miles.  Today was about finishing my first marathon in years, and being mentally on.   I know that I got the best from myself I could today, given my fitness...   I had been training 60-120 miles a week...  this time around - 20-30 miles a week. 

2)  I was under fueled, somewhat by choice... being out of serious competition as long as I have, I didn’t want to take in too much and have GI issues.  That worked, and no cramps, but the underfueling impacted pace and left me depleted after.  Took me a while to get back on track today. 

3)  It is tough to go from really fast to not really fast...  I am definitely rebuilding after 4 years off...  but the mental side of this was excellent and my run fitness was better than I thought (still long way to go).  Very encouraging and important step toward being to push myself hard physically again. It had been so long since I was tested.   I was fully  expecting to fall apart around mile 20 and suffering terribly... that fear and the pacing plan from Coach Chris Lee kept me out of that trouble! 

4). Cleveland marathon was excellent!   Very well organized and I liked the new course!