Hartford 2012 - Second Marathon in 13 Days - quick report

Just a quick report on my second marathon in 13 days. Did Clarence Demar in Keene, NH on 9/30, and was slowed a bit by some GI problems, and brought it in at 4:16. When I was driving home from NH, I started thinking about running Hartford (10/13). I've run Hartford three times before - its where I work. 2007 = 3:51, 2009 = DNF (at about 21.5), 2010 = 3:52. Hartford is a nice course, pretty well organized, and easy logistics for me. And I just like it. Plus it would cost me nothing more than the registration fee.
Later in the week, I looked up Hal's website for his plans for running multiple marathons, and for two weeks in between, the mileage was so minimal, I figured I could do that, keep my options open, and just take it easy.
Well, I went ahead and ran Hartford today. Cold morning (about freezing at the start), warming to probably just under 50 at my finish, little or no wind, sunny.
Wasn't sure what I could do this in, and decided to just take it easy for the first couple of miles, and see how it felt, and maybe speed up if I felt great. Did not sleep well last night (typical for me before any marathon, exacerbated by teenagers at home last night making noise into the wee hours), and although I felt fine, I did not feel fast. When I got to 4 miles and thought about speeding up, I could tell that was not a good idea. I'd been running at 9:30 to 10:00 at that point, and just decided to continue to keep it in that range and see how it went. Clearly, running a full two weeks ago had taken a toll, but I figured I do a lot of long runs at that pace, so could handle it.
Although I stopped to pee a total of four times (and I really was not drinking anywhere near as much as I normally would, but the cold temps and slow pace made a big difference), I just kept plugging along. Nice day for a 26.2 mile run. Slowed down in the last 6 or so to somewhat slower than 10:00, and one of my miles where I stopped in the porta potty got me over 11:00. Finished at 4:22:04, which is almost exactly 10:00 per, and felt good to be done, but really good overall to have done it. In the last 1.2, I was able to pick it up a little bit and pass quite a few people.
This result was half an hour off my pace for this course two years ago, but I'll take the medal!
Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and advice either in my blog or in the Friday thread last week, as I took a lot of that advice!
Now let's see, Cape Cod is two weeks away, hmmmmmmm... NO!

Congrats Mike! The medals were cool this year - don't you think? On the down side, the food tent post-race was lacking (were there any oatmeal cookies left when you got there?) - last yr was much better. I hope I get the same weather in NYC!

Dave P wrote:Congrats Mike! The medals were cool this year - don't you think? On the down side, the food tent post-race was lacking (were there any oatmeal cookies left when you got there?) - last yr was much better. I hope I get the same weather in NYC!

Thanks Dave, and congrats on your PR! I almost never stop in the food tent, because all I want for the first hour or so post-race is some water and a banana. As we finished the full, they handed each of us a tiny shopping bag with half a bagel, a couple of snacks, and a banana, along with a water bottle, which was perfect for me. I did like this year's medal a lot. Good luck in NYC!

Congrats Mike. Look forward to your next report in 2 weeks.

Kudos, good luck on the next.

Nice job, Mike. You handled the challenge very well. Now rest up for the next one.

Jerry wrote:Congrats Mike. Look forward to your next report in 2 weeks.

Thanks Jerry, but no thanks on two weeks from now!

fostever wrote:Kudos, good luck on the next.

Gracias!

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:Nice job, Mike. You handled the challenge very well. Now rest up for the next one.

Thanks Michele, and thanks for the good advice!

Great job Michael only two weeks later. That's a big notch on the belt doing two in two weeks. Sorry missed you out there.

Sounds like a good race and good strategy! Congratulations. Several mentions of the medal....hmmm...I think that requires a pic.

dot520 wrote:Sounds like a good race and good strategy! Congratulations. Several mentions of the medal....hmmm...I think that requires a pic.

I can't post one from work - too much software on our systems to prevent such tomfoolery, but maybe I'll remember tonight.

It is a seriously heavy medal. I thought about ditching it on the way from the finish back to the car, because it was weighing me down. (Just kidding!)

Thanks Dot!

2 in 13 days in nothing to sneeze at. Congrats on the accomplishment.

Dave-O wrote:2 in 13 days in nothing to sneeze at. Congrats on the accomplishment.

My immune system may be sufficiently compromised from the training and two races that I will now catch a cold and sneeze at it anyway, but thanks very much!

Michael,

I did a similar thing with Boston and Illinois in 2010 and 2011. Not sure if it matters to you, but two in 13 days qualifies you as a Maniac. Nice job!

Jeff F wrote:Michael,

I did a similar thing with Boston and Illinois in 2010 and 2011. Not sure if it matters to you, but two in 13 days qualifies you as a Maniac. Nice job!

Thanks Jeff - it was certainly maniacal!

On a side note, I ditched my pullover at about mile 9 on Saturday, and tossed it into a bush along the route. It was right where I left it when I went to look for it a few minutes ago, so I get my shirt back as a bonus in the deal!