So I’ve run 11 marathons in my life, three since my arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn medial meniscus in 2002. All three have been in 3:53!
New York, 2003: Went out strong, died at the end.
Burlington, 2004: Wasn’t able to train well because of a calf injury. Went out conservatively, thinking I might have to drop out if the injury flared up, and ran a steady pace to the end. Relative to my training, it was a great race.
New York, 2005: Went out strong, died at the end.
Statistics tell the sad story:
10K split: 49:03, a 7:54 pace, on target for a 3:27:16
halfway point: 1:44:08, a 7:56 pace, target 3:28:16
20 miles: 2:42:16, a 8:06 pace, target 3:32:34
finish: 3:53:46, a 8:55 pace. (3:54:19 “gun time”)
You’d think there’d be a lesson here, about the right way to run a marathon, no? But I am too stubborn to learn it. Or, I learn it, but then forget it, get cocky and have to relearn it … very painfully.
I just completely fell apart on the last 6.2 miles. I ended up walking some of the last two. It was bad. At one point, with less than a mile to go, I saw a Flyer walking too and I tried to pick us both up. “Let’s go Flyers!” I said, and went charging ahead.
I got like 50 feet and then doubled over, hands on knees, as pain shot through my legs. This muscle running down the inside of my legs was just convulsing. I was able to walk it off, thankfully … (I was prepared to crawl, but I was going to cross that finish line).
Anyway. Running bloggers tend to be very supportive of one another, but please don’t tell me this isn’t anything other than a disappointment. I know there’s a lot of people who would be thrilled to run a sub-four hour marathon, but I’ve already done that plenty of times. I kinda agree with Chelle‘s dictum she once told me, from those much is given, much is expected. Or something like that.
But I’m keeping this in perspective. I mean, everyone’s athletic career needs to include some disappointment, or else you’re expecting too little of yourself. And if the marathon was easy, it wouldn’t be such an accomplishment. This is just a call for me to redouble my efforts, roll up my sleeves, tie up my shoelaces, and rededicate myself to my sport.
Somebody once told me that a dissapointing race is simply, “a call . . . to redouble my efforts, roll up my sleeves, tie up my shoelaces, and rededicate myself to my sport.”
Sometimes we give ourselves the best advice.
You are stronger and wiser for your Herculean effort.
hey…i saw you at 18…you looked good there at least 🙂
being that I haven’t run a marathon yet…I’m not sure I know what it’s like to be in your (running) shoes right now.
but yes, I have had my share of disappointments in shorter distances…and it’s only given me more motivation to “go get em” next time-which sounds like the attitude you have.
btw, I looked up quite a few friends/teammates and a lot of people seemed off-pace. damn hot day. hopefully it will be a cool day when I finally run nyc 🙂
tip back a few tonite-you’ve earned it.
I’m so going to yell at you when I next see you. You’ve really got to learn to not go out so fast. This is too many times you’ve died in the end. Maybe you should run with a cell phone and we can call you and tell you to slow down and run 8 minute miles during the first ten miles or so. You have to factor in the adrenaline rush and not get fooled by it and go out too fast. It just doesn’t make sense for you to end up doing the last few miles at 12 minute pace. Seriously, we have to come up with a strategy to counteract this. Maybe a big sign on your back that says “If I’m running faster than 8:15 pace, tell me to slow down.” Get the whole race to be your on the track coach. Then you can take the sign off after the 15th mile or so if you’ve got the energy.
Congrats on finishing another one though. I certainly couldn’t do one. It is an accomplishment to break 4 hours.
Bah, yer just gettin’ old…
That disappointment will indeed yield to renewed determination the next time around. You may not be impressed with your finish time, but given the circumstances you described, I sure am.
Hey there — I know you through the NABJ listserve and I peek in here every now and then. Just wanted to tell you congrats and to keep up the good work. You sound a lot like my cousin, who has run NYC and Chicago (his best time is 3:23!) but is similarly hard on himself. It’s no consolation I’m sure, but I think what you’ve done and continue to do is awesome. Treat yourself well and take the day off tomorrow. The last thing you need is to be on deadline with aching muscles! 😉
Hey Derek,
Congrats, I’m in awe of what you’ve done – would love to someday just complete a marathon, let alone do it in sub 4 hrs. Have only become aware of your blog a few weeks ago but it’s inspiring me to try to extend my running efforts. Did my first half marathon in October, but buggered my knee in the process. Hopefully get back into training soon and do my first marathon mid next year.
Cheers,
Simon (ex LPHS, Dunedin, NZ, now in Melbourne, Aus.)
Didn’t see you out there but definitely thought of you as I screamed my lungs out for everyone yesterday. Sorry you didn’t get to achieve your goal yesterday…rest, recover…I’ve got a feeling you’ve got another marathon left in those legs:)
Can you help me track down a runner? He passed out at mile 22 and we pulled him fromt he course until EMTs showed up. I wrote down his ib number and checked the race database, then googled and emailed the addresses I found. But it doesn’t click, because the database says he cancelled and the emails all come back failed.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Chris
I know you don’t want to hear this…..BUT…..very impressive. Anyone who can finish one marathon is phenomenal in my book, let alone 11!
ahhh…you kept at it, and didn’t freak out that you weren’t going to meet your original goal. nothing wrong with that. boston is so hard for guys–i don’t know how anyone does it…it definitely seems like the women’s starting time of 3:40 is SO much easier. wait until you get older and it’s easier… or else those long mid-week runs might work too. i admire your quick turnaround and perseverance way more than the running (although you obviously kick some butt there too..).
I missed you out there…you must have snuck by. I don’t know what to tell you…there are so many factors. How many 20 milers did you do, maybe you do need to make your longest runs 22+, what was your peak weekly mileage, how many weeks did you keep that up, how long was your taper, did you get enough carbs before the race, during the race…it’s all so complicated. It was indeed a tough day though, as far as weather goes. I know very few people who met or exceeded their expectations yesterday.
“And if the marathon was easy…”
Derek, I love the attitude. The marathon is 26 freakin’ miles. It ain’t no wussy 5k where you suck it up for a mere 15 or 20 minutes and call it a day.
The thing is, you had a goal and you came up short so you are naturally disappointed. You could have chosen an easier goal and achieved it, but the reward of a lesser goal is not as grand right? Sometimes we GO FOR IT and come up a bit short. To quote Star Trek (I’m not THAT big a trekker), we “Boldly Go” and in doing so, we often find greater rewards than if we hadn’t.
So, good job dude. You’ll be back and you’ll get your goal time. And here’s a little trash-talk between guys to help get your there – My marathon PR is 3:42. You ain’t gonna let an old fart of a Canadian wup ya…are you? 😉
Lots of comments on this one. Thanks, everyone!
And let’s see: Jon, you’re right. Although, I mean, there have been races where I’ve been able to run better than 8:15s. It really depends on how hard you’ve been training.
Mofo: the men’s winner was
also 3336! Paul Tergat is 36, not 33.Mark: Well, my PR is in fact 3:18 (set in Chicago 2000), and I’ve run a couple of 3:30ish ‘thons. But I still need that damn Boston-qualifying 3:10:59!
ahhh, I see. For some reason I miss-read that. argh. Those are some good times so I’m sure you have a BQ in you!
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Pacing, pacing, pacing. Sounds like you went out too hard at the start, so it’s not surprising that you petered out at the end. But you probably already know that. So I’ll stop the unsolicited advice, and say, good job on finishing the marathon, and there will always, always, another race.