| Author |
Topic: Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon RR |
rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
 posted Mar-18-2007 07:17 PM
   
Shamrock Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA. 3/18/07I had been looking at this race for a while now, but didn’t commit until two days prior (signed up on Friday afternoon at the Expo). I wasn’t sure how my body would handle two marathons in 14 days let alone 3 marathons in 14 days. I’ll call it my marathon experiment. If you read my race report from last week you know I PR’d with a time of 3:21:34 feeling great and supporting a huge smile on my face. This week it has been a recovery week, but still running 27 miles over the 6 days. I also received a sports massage Monday evening. Felt sooooo good. Today’s weather was nice and sunny, the temperature ranging from 36 degrees at the start and warming up to about 42 degrees when I finished. Unfortunately the winds were blowing 15-20 mph from the north with some stronger gusts. The winds would end up playing a big roll in my run. Fashion “NOT” report: white Boston 2006 running cap, red Rock & Roll ½ marathon wind breaker, long sleeve tech shirt, black running pants, NB 767’s, and black knit gloves. The day started with me having to walk 10 blocks due to the street closers that I missed by 10 minutes. Ok, it’s a little warm-up. I did an easy jog for a little over a mile too. The race also supports a half marathon which starts at 7 am and encompasses the second half of the marathon course. I ate a gel about 15 minutes before the start and hit the porta potty’s on the beach as no one was in line there. The marathon starts at 8 am after a nice and very high pitched National Anthem. It starts on Atlantic Ave and 33 rd St running south and completing a loop near Rudee Inlet. Continuing south on General Booth Blvd over Rudee Inlet Bridge until the turn around point (5.75 miles). The bridge is the only hill on the course, approximately 40 feet. Heading north on General Booth, then turning into Camp Pendleton (an Army National Guard base), then back on General Booth over Rudee Inlet Bridge, back around the loop and then onto the beach boardwalk. Since turning north the wind hasn’t been to bad, only a few gusts, but that is about to change. Hitting the boardwalk just after mile ten the wind is felt full force, so I draft where I can. After 17 blocks we leave the boardwalk and its back on Atlantic Ave till 37th street where its over a block and onto Pacific Ave, which takes us past the ½ way point. I took a gel at mile 7. Miles 1-13: 7:50,7:30,7:33,7:21,7:40,7:41,8:04,7:36,7;39,7:51,8:00,8:02,7:54
½ marathon: 1:41:52 The wind is taking its toll on me and I know I can’t hold this pace and still run next week. So I slow down, hoping to save some for the last 10K with the wind. Running up Pacific, I know I have 3 more miles into the wind until mile 16 and there is nobody to draft off of. As we run up Shore Drive and into Ft Story its a cross wind for 5 miles and finally a tail wind again. Somewhere around mile 19 a younger guy easies up next to me and says something like "your twice my age and your beating me". I politely tell him I’m only 49 and let him know what I ran last week. He says he’s 24 and slowly fades back behind me as I wish him a good finish. (young whippersnapper). I took a gel at mile 14 and 21. But, by now my legs have had enough and I can’t muster much energy from them. Running back down Pacific I remember last years Shamrock ½ Marathon where I ran the last 10K in 42 minutes. My mind says go for it and my legs ask what kind of drugs are you on. But, I continue on smiling and thanking the race volunteers and the few spectators here and there. The race finishes on the boardwalk behind the Hilton about 30th St. There are plenty of volunteers to take off your timing chip, another hands me a water and a ball cap, another a bag of goodies, still more hand me a banana and one of those space blankets. Then did a mile jog to cool down. There is also a beach party happening in a very large tent. With beef stew and plenty of beer (4 – 16 ounce cups per racer). My kind of party. Though, I didn’t stay long. 14-26.2 miles: 8:12,8:34,8:35,7:53,8:37,9:13,9:02,9:10,9:13,9:11,8:33,8:44,8:39,1:45
Second ½: 1:54:27
3:36:17
Overall: 320 of 1876
Age Gp: 33 of 158
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Good running!!!
Mike's Profile
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 07:24 PM
........rass//............really solid performance after doing another Marathon so close,,,,,,congratulations on the strong splits............nice running.......
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 08:11 PM
So are you already a maniac? Or qualifying?
This is simply amazing...
And I love the way you write. Very entertaining. cj
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 08:14 PM
 Smart-alecky young whippersnapper was right to be impressed. I am too. Great finish time, awesome splits, and that was one tough windy race. Rest up well, you deserve it and another PR to get next week.
Congratulations!
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 08:43 PM
Very nice run. Thanks for the report.I actually was in Va Beach Saturday night and thought this was going to be a race that had winds. It was quite chilly. Good job fending off the young unns.... Congratulations. Vista
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hermosaboy
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 08:51 PM
Some friends of mine were down there to pace the 4:30 group and I had heard that the weather was less than optimal (read windy). quote:
Originally posted by rasmussenmp:
Shamrock Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA. 3/18/07My mind says go for it and my legs ask what kind of drugs are you on.
Nice job of rolling through when your mind and legs are not speaking the same language -- I have been there!!!
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 08:55 PM
Sorry to post again ... just curious -- I noticed that this week you ran 3M the days before and after, and then alternated 5 and 6M's the other days. Am I reading correctly that this will be the same plan for this week as well? How is your body adapting to this? Have you been running every day for while? cj
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 08:57 PM
You're on one incredible roll.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Inspirational.
JJJ
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-18-2007 09:10 PM
Way to show today's youth who's in charge!
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mamaruns
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 04:52 AM
We really must stop meeting like this. We seem to keep running the same races. Good job on the marathon! I was in the 1/2 marathon, I'll post a race report later today. 3 marathons in 14 days!!! That is quite inspirational. So, I have a question. Since I was 1/2 way through my race when you started, did they have an F16 Flyover at the beginning of your race too?
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rtravers
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 05:12 AM
Reading your report makes me almost inspired enough to get up and run this morning instead of taking my planned rest day! Almost...Greta race! --Robin
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 05:57 AM
rasmussenmp....Holy smokes!!!!! Good form for thanking the volunteers. Can't have a race with out them.------------------
Blessings, SteveP My User Profile
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rbbmoose
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 05:59 AM
Good race Mike... I know that wind all too well from last year and I can confirm that it really blows. Enjoy some rest and vanquishing of the whippersnapper.Hopefully you had some post-race Yuenglings...
Ray
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 07:10 AM
Good run, Mike.
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hup
Moderator of Boomers and Beyond |
posted Mar-19-2007 08:30 AM
Good work, Mike. Way to drop that kid like a bad habit ....hup
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 08:55 AM
Rass... You are made of STEEL! I don't know how your body can handle that series of marathons with the last two SO close together. What a great performance in the wind and following your PR marathon. Now take it easy on your training this week because that was one heck of a long run!
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 10:00 AM
I just don't know what to say, rasmussenmp. You are impressive. Keep up the good work. I can hardly wait to hear about number three.TomS ------------------
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piejones
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 10:41 AM
It looks like, before long, you'll be in a position to just photocopy a race report and submit the same one every Monday. Great racing for a guy double everyone's age.
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jdmom3
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 10:45 AM
Impressive run Mike! After running a marathon just last week, you came out and ran another in a terrific time and into the wind! I ran an easy 6 miles yesterday afternoon - the last couple into that wind - and I can attest to the fact that it was a beast. I think you suffer far more in the marathon than in the half from the wind. The conditions this year were nearly identical to last year, which is to say typical for VB this time of year. As I said to someone, though, one of these years we will have 80 degree temps (which is what the temp was on the Thursday before the race), which is actually worse I think! Anyway, terrific race!! Meg
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jtv
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 10:56 AM
Mike,Great run for the 2nd week in a row! Especially in those conditions.
Speaking of those conditions, it is exactly what we had here in So NJ yesterday. . Hate to say it, but expect the same in Ocean Drive. Hopefully I get a chance to see you there. ------------------
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rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 02:42 PM
Thanks for all the good words.CJ - Actually, I qualified with the Shamrock Marathon for the maniacs. I had originally signed up for the Lower Potomac River Marathon (3/11) and the Ocean Drive Marathon (3/25) but decided to also run the Shamrock Marathon as I felt great (only minor soreness for two days) after the LPR marathon. I have been running 6 days a week now for a couple of years and last year averaged over 60 miles per week. This year I'm averaging about 70 miles per week. As for my recovery/taper week, I have found that my legs recover quicker if I run the day after, however, I run very easy. And only if the soreness is minimal. Its just by feel. I actually cut a few miles off of Wednesday's and Thursday's runs. This week, as I have some soreness in my left hip flexer, today will be a day off. No running or even cycling, just walking and some easy streching throughout the day. I will reevaluate tomorrow. The key is to listen to your body. mamaruns - no they didn't have the F16 flyover for us. Though I did see the 1/2 marathon start and was cheering for you. Hope you had a great and fast run. jdmom3 - I agree, I would rather run in the wind and not 80 degree weather. I loved the temps this weekend. ------------------
Good running!!!
Mike's Profile [This message has been edited by rasmussenmp (edited Mar-19-2007).]
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 03:11 PM
WTG, Mike. I may have to upgrade my 766's. Now recover and get another massage!------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
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tallrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 03:23 PM
Great race Mike,Wow, I cannot imagine doing the marathons you are doing. Shows you are in great shape..What's marathon #3? Take care
Tall
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divechief
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 05:05 PM
WTG mike:
Impressive results, congrats. enjoy your recovery/taper/training for the next one.
Dave
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flkjr52
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-19-2007 06:57 PM
My coach/training partner ran Paris and then Boston last year eight days apart with jet lag and everything. I thought he was nuts. But three in 14 days tops that. Way to Go!Keep on truckin' Fran
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