#112 Tallahassee Marathon (Feb. 1, 2009)

temps 37 to 55 sunny

Sat:
I have been trying to qualify for 2010 Boston all month; after 2 marathons, 1/2 marathon and a 5k - my legs felt fresh and ready to go. I signed up for the Tallahassee Marathon on Tuesday once I was confident that race day weather was going to be cool.

Race morning:
I spotted Clarence warming up on the track. It was hilly at the beginning but otherwise flat. I banked time in the first 20 miles averaging a 7:45 pace since it was forecasted to be sunny and warm by 10am. I had my fastest first half split at 1:41:53. As in the marathon 2 weeks ago, I lost some seconds getting lost. At mile 14, I saw Anna from Reston Runners group in VA; there was a contingent that came down for the race.

Since the marathon had a relatively late start of 7:30am, it got warm in the last hour. I may have been the only runner finishing shirtless; I left my shirt at the mile 18 post. A lot of runners were wearing tights. I thought of trying for a 3:24 PR but I decided to take it easy after it got warm. I didn't want to risk a calf cramp that I had in the marathon at Albany last October. I had plenty of time in the bank so I enjoyed a leisurely 8:30-8:45 pace in the last six miles. I was happy to see Heather at mile 25; she was eager to pace me in. But since I was 3 minutes ahead of schedule, I wasn't willing to suffer. I was running with another guy who also needed 3:30 for Boston. I said I'd kick it at the finish. He picked up the pace at mile 26, so I had to make my move. I quickly closed the 50 feet gap with him but he finished a leg length ahead of me. However we finished with the same clock time of 3:28:00. My net chip time was 3:27:54 - almost 7 minutes faster than my last marathon 2 weeks ago. It's my first qualification for Boston; I got a Boston race number working for the sponsor in 1999 and ran as a bandit in 2001. It has taken me 92 marathons to qualify for Boston. (The other 20 races out of 112 were ultras). Now I can spend my money on other challenges!

I think I am pretty much recovered from my 2007 quad injury that left me limping for 4 months. I haven't run this pace in 2 years. Even though this wasn't a marathon PR, I think I am in better shape than in Oct. 2007. While I was sore postrace, I no longer feel tightness in the last 3 marathons compared to the first 109 races. Strange. I attribute it to cross-training and a better diet. I have been working on my glutes in the past month; I think that helped me knock 3 minutes off my marathon time in 3 weeks. (Or maybe, you just get faster by running faster marathons; I don't feel like running another marathon this weekend to test that hypothesis.)

I don't know what is next regarding marathons. My only goal is to get faster when Heather gets faster. I think I could do well on the bike because my biomechanics won't be working against me as much. I started spinning 3 weeks ago. I might get a road bike. I would like to see if I have any talent in time trials. Maybe I can swim later this year. I haven't trained (by running) much since the injury so I am afraid to put in the miles -- I am sticking with my 30-minute workouts at the Y. I miss socializing at the group runs but I seem to run healthier at my own pace. By avoiding the turns at track, I have had fewer alignment issues..

Tues - No tightness at all but some soreness. The top of my left foot is bruised from wearing my new shoes for the second time. I continue to wear Drymax socks in marathons so that I don't have to worry about blisters. I thought my recovery would be delayed from the kick at mile 26 so I was surprised that my single leg, leg press test showed my legs to be stronger today than before the marathon. I was able to warm up to 3:40 min/mile strides. As a recreational athlete I stay in my comfort zone 95% of the time; I don't beat up my body as much as a competitive athlete who trains for 2 marathons a year.