The aftermath
April 26, 2009
Hey, I have a new PR!!! For the slowest marathon time that is. I Finished in 6:06:54 which is extremely slow even for me but it was unusually hot and all my training time was in 30 and 40 deg. weather so was not prepared for the heat but, that is the way the marathon goes when it comes to the weather. The first half went really well averaging 11:00 to 11:30 pace and slowing to 11:55 pace close to the half way mark but, the heat was starting to take its toll and was beginning to get a little dehydrated even with taking in plenty of fluids. Also made use of the salt packets they were handing out and I am sure that helped but not enough. At mile 17 I started to slow drastically from 12:45 pace to 14:00 pace and continued down hill from there. Then by mile 20 I started cramping in both calves due to some dehydration and only grew worse and by mile 23 I was reduced to walking and stretching out my calves about every three minutes. I was able to hang on for the remainder of the race and even had an adrenalin rush in the last .25 mile and finished with a good kick.
The finish time was a disaster and even though I didn’t expect to finish with a good time I really thought it would be better but, the heat was just to much this time around. It wasn’t a total disaster though because I was able to finish with no hip or hamstring problems and that was the real test for this race. I’m really sore this morning from the hills but, it is muscle soreness and to be expected.
Now I know where I stand and I’m excited about the next training phase and Chicago.
So, that’s a wrap on this one.
Enjoying very step,
Al
The big news is that you were able to finish under those conditions. I started gasping when reading the descriptions of the heat. I can’t do heat – I feel like I’m smothering when I read about heat.
Let’s start praying now that the Windy City, is nice and windy in October