Finally! A new PR & a new BQ

Dave P Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:29 pm

Thanks to all my running friends for the encouragement & post-race congrats!

My first 3 marathons:
2007 Hartford 3:58:24
2008 Marine Corps 3:30:13
2009 Cape Cod 3:15:58

Then it took another 4 years, & another 8 marathons (including 1 DNF), to finally get a new PR & a new BQ.

3:15:23 at the Via Marathon in Allentown, PA.

This is by far the closet I’ve ever come to “even” pacing. I’m usually about a 9 min pace, or worse towards the end due to my dehydration/ electrolyte issues.

1st 10mi: ave 7:19
2nd 10mi: ave 7:24
Next 4mi: ave 7:40
Last 2mi: ave 8:11

It was warm, with a start in the 60’s, but the shade & my new hydration strategy got me through it. I took in as much water & Gatorade that my stomach could handle during the 2nd half. I usually get the “tingles” in my hands & feet around 20-21 miles. Then the feeling of cramping soon follows. Praise God, it never happened this time during the race, but immediately came upon me when I staggered into the arms of an EMT after crossing the finish line & was brought to the med tent (my favorite post-race spot.) No question that I gave this race everything I had. I was terrified that my rt foot was going to cramp up. I’ve had that happen to me before - 1 of the 2 times I’ve ended up in the ER after a long training run in the heat & humidity. Thankfully, after 4 or 5 big cups of Gatorade, the “tingles” & feelings of cramping sub-sided. No need for an IV this time. Then, it was an aprrox 30 min wait for a massage.

The worse part of this marathon was the post-race logistics. It was a point-to-point, so we needed to be bused back to the start. That was another 1.5 hours or so wait. A few desperate runners paid a guy $5 each to take them in his van. Then, we saw them broken down on the highway, as we passed by in the bus.

You all know what I’ll be doing precisely at 10:00 am this Friday!

In addition, I’ve come up with a game plan to try to get into NYC. I turn 50 next year. NYC qualifying time for a guy 50-54 is sub 3:06 for a marathon. The ½ time is sub 1:29, which is within the realm of possibilities. My PR for the ½ is 1:32, which I’ve done 3x. The last time (Hartford 2012), was a test race for my marathon, so I wasn’t racing it. I’ve actually never specifically trained for a fast/ goal ½ marathon.

The plan:

Not even bother with the NYC lottery for 2014.
If I get into Boston, run the Hartford Half 2014 as my goal fall race.
If I don’t get into Boston, train for a spring 2014 half marathon & keep the fall race open-ended depending on how that spring race goes.
Either way, the plan is to have a sub 1:29 half in 2014 for NYC 2015.

ounce Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:36 pm

That's great, Dave! I know that PR feels really sweet, especially not have to get your usual post-race cocktail in the med tent. Sucks about the 90 minute wait to get back to the start. They should work on that part of the event.

Savor the PR.

Michele "1L" Keane Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:46 pm

Congrats, Dave. I know how hard you worked for this well deserved result. I hope to see you in Boston! Book your hotel now before you even register as you can always cancel that.

PS I have entered NY the last three times with a half marathon time as for me that is much easier as well. Good luck with that.

Mark B Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:00 pm

Dave, you deserve cheers for the PR, the BQ and maybe most importantly -- managing your race well enough to avoid that post-race IV. Congrats.

Good luck in your race registration.

fostever Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:58 pm

OK, way to go Dave, persistence pays off! You must have left it all on the course. I've staggered around in the chute a few times myself, usually because I try to kick in the last 1/4 mi or so. You should be safe for 2014 in Beantown, hope to see ya!