Tallahassee Marathon (Feb. 3rd, 2008)

temps 43 to 63, sunny

3:40:45 split 1:51/1:49 avg pace 8:25

It mostly a flat course. The weather started out nice at 43 degrees. It's been a while since I ran a cool weather marathon.

I regret getting a massage Tues instead of later in the week. My calfs and back were tight and my hamstrings were sore. I woke up race day and my left achilles was tight.

On Wed., I could one rep max with more weight than before my injury. The nervous sytem is growing back well but the muscle mass has not returned yet. That's going to take more time.

Given the improved leg strength (for one rep), I figured I could knock off 20 minutes from Disney (3:59). I visualized all week and tried to set the pace in the marathon.

Somehow I lost one gel. I had my last one at mile 17. Fortunately, GUs were offered around mile 20. It didn't help me maintain my pace.

The last 8 miles were unshaded, In full sun, it felt like 75 degrees. I slowed down in the heat. My overused good quad felt tighter in the last 5 miles. I missed my 20 minute improvement goal by one minute.

I did not imagine running in the heat in last 8 miles -- I should have doused myself with cold water or brought a cooling bandana. If you don't mentally rehearse something, you're more likely to forget to do it.

At the finish, one of the volunteers said that I and the guy ahead of me did not even look tired. I told her it's just a short race. The local running club puts on a 50 miler that I ran in December.

These was no donuts at the finish but there was Dominos Pizza.

I ran with 2XU calf guards for the first time in a race -- and was asked questions about it. I think it helps with recovery,

I feel pretty good. My lower back ached on the drive back. Since I didn't kick hard - I don't think I hurt anything.

I don't think I can get much more faster (maybe 10 mins) without serious training. I need to regain the muscle mass in my right leg, lose some weight and improve fitness.


Here's my injury recovery progress so far.
pace Race
10/20/2007 15:00 San Fran 24 hour run (pace last 26 miles)
10/29/2007 13:25 USMC marathon
12/1/2007 12:44 OUC 1/2 marathon
12/8/2007 12:00 Tallahassee 50 miler (pace first 26 miles)
12/16/2007 10:46 Jax marathon
12/30/2007 10:32 LunaChicks 50 miler (pace first 26 miles)
1/13/2008 9:09 Disney marathon
2/3/2008 8:25 Tallahassee Marathon