| Author |
Topic: Virginia Creeper Marathon RR - long and painful |
JJJessee
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-01-2007 07:30 PM
  
The 9th Annual Virginia Creeper Marathon April 1 2007 Abingdon, VA
8:00 am
http://www.runtricities.org/creepermarathon/This event is hosted by the State of Franklin Track Club, Frank Kibler, Race Director. The VA Creeper Trail is an unpaved but maintained spur line of Norfolk and Southern railroad abandoned in 1977. The original line went to West Jefferson, NC about 60 plus miles in all, but only 34 miles are maintained and open to public use.
http://www.vacreepertrail.us/history.html The trail supports foot, bicycle and equestrian traffic. Starting in Abingdon, VA (elevation 2065) traveling 17 miles through farmland to Damascus crossing the Appalachian Trail and another 17 miles through National Forest to Whitetop Station, VA (elevation 3576). The marathon covers only an 8 mile and not too steep section centering on the Watauga parking area about 3.7 miles from the Abingdon terminus. Since parking is fairly limited, parking and packet pickup is staged at Watauga Elementary School about 1.5 miles west starting at 6:00am. The Abingdon trolley ferries runners and crews to and from the race. This year there were 140 registrants- the largest number since inception. The director reserves the right to a 100 limit. The race fills up on first come first serve basis in mid Nov-Dec. Entry price is $10US. All runners receive a paperweight with race logo at packet pickup. This race was an easy choice for me since I live only a half mile from the course. About 95% on my running is on the Creeper Trail.
Tramps also signed up for this one. He and his wife had driven in from E. Virginia on Friday for some R&R, so he said he’d be off the ‘net a few days. My wife and I had lunch with them on Saturday at The Wildflour Bakery in Abingdon. My first Boomer meeting! We all talked for a couple of hours. It was great. My wife and the two of them have a good deal in common professionally. Tramps and I were the only runners.
On returning home I began to pack my running bag--extra clothes for post race or last minute wardrobe malfunctions, a homemade Bodyglide I like to use, foot repair gear, gels, snacks, minutiae ad nauseum. I grazed a bit until an evening meal of veggie and tofu stirfry. DW and I watched a movie. I fell asleep just before the end at 11pm. The next thing I know its 5am. My feet hit the floor and feel greta, the best they’ve felt in 12 weeks. That ol’ taper magic had worked its charms. The toast and jam with water for breakfast was just right. DW and I were in the car before 7am. We were only a few minutes away when the first drops hit the windshield. But they quickly retreated -for reinforcements as it turns out. We met up with Tramps and his DW at packet pickup. As we are getting on the trolley I overheard a runner say she was from Williamsburg, Va., and having been prompted by RCG and Tramp's brief interrogation, we discovered it was in fact her friend. It’s a small race in a smaller world. We get to the starting area about 7:30 and the precipitate reinforcements have also arrived. The only available shelter was a map kiosk, basically a covered park bench. So we put on our rain gear. At least it wasn’t too hot, too cold, or too windy. Except for the rain it was just right. Really in the end, the rain was just a light off and on affair for most of the race- as much a coolant as nuisance. A brief RD briefing gathers the colorful mob to the starting line and we are off to a shout, down a two-lane pavement for a mile and back. This thins the line up to better proportions for the rail-trial that barely accommodates 3 abreast.
The course is now basically 3 out and backs to the starting area, 2 to the NW and one to the SE with watering holes every 2 miles. Inexperienced marathon puppy that I am, I go out too fast. I know, know, know not to do this. But I can’t, can’t, can’t help it. Bad dog. Bad dog. No! No! By mile 4 my HR was 90% and remained 90-91 until mile 22. My first Clif Shot at mile 8 had caffeine, and since my HR was already too high, it was probably a negative. By the half, I was giving up pace without HR benefits. By mile 18 left foot and rt. ham, my old friends, are really suffering and I take IBU, 2 miles later its helping some. But I’ m just running on fumes by mile 22 and start walking 2 min and running 2 min. This however probably resulted in a slightly faster and less painful finish than would have the molasses-like slow jogging that I was sinking into deeper and deeper. Final time was about 4:48:33. I was hoping for a sub 4:45, but considering my general fitness level it’s a fair starting point. After all, I’m just a puppy still. FR- Black Brooks short w/ liners, Gray UA top, two pair of socks (Injinji and Thorlos), DW sewed up a purple patch work headband with remnants of my old good luck paisley bandana, Pearl Izumi shoes. JJJ [This message has been edited by JJJessee (edited Apr-02-2007).]
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:39 PM
.........jjj//........nice running........ya knew what you did, and you pulled out the run anyway....impressive.............good luck on your next one......
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jamid
Member |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:44 PM
I live in Wise, Va about an hour from Abingdon. I did all my long runs on the creeper trail in preparation for my first marathon last December. I love that trail. In the summer my family and I bike there often. When I trained for my marathon I would park at Alvarado Station and run toward Damascus and then turn and head back toward Abingdon. I would love to run that Marathon, but I always think about it after it has filled up.
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:46 PM
JJJ -- Appreciated the tip regarding fuel containing caffeine when your heart rate is already elevated. I didn't think of that before. btw, I think all puppies run on fumes around mile 22....cj
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jamid
Member |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:50 PM
Oh and congrats on finishing the marathon. You did great.
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piejones
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:52 PM
Nice report JJJessee. When the feet are feeling good, it is indeed tough to hold it back. Might have to carry a sack of flour or a couple of butterball turkeys or something for the first couple of miles. That should keep you from going out so hard. Terrific job. Give that foot and hammy some well deserved TLC.
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TMWIP
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:55 PM
JJJ - great race report and race. Too bad it was rainy. You were very close to your goal! Great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 07:57 PM
You came close to your goal, you are learning from your mistakes, you seem tot be recovering nicely since you got your RR in on race day. It sounds like you had a great experience. And you can't beat the price! WTG, JJJ  ------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 08:01 PM
CCCongratulations, MMMarathoner! Ya done good!And you're right -- the rain is a nice coolant if it's light. And I like your good luck purple patchwork headband...that's sweet.
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seemomgo
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 08:22 PM
Nice report and what fun to meet up with a fellow boomer - it always makes the race more memorable! Sorry for the rain, but it probably helped somewhat. I agree with the caffiene thing...heart palpitations or speedy heart rate - eeewww.
Congratulations on a fine run!
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 09:50 PM
JJJ, tough race at the end -- never fun to run in pain for that long. Congrats on hanging in there. You're lucky to have a trail like that so close to train on.Mark
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 09:58 PM
I love you Triple J!You wrote a great report and I have been in your puppy shoes! I have run a 4:48 and finished in just your fashion! Thanks for saying "hey" to Carol. She is a gem. Congratulations on running a fine marathon! (Can't wait to hear from Tramps, too!) Excellent.
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huskydon
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-01-2007 11:54 PM
Congrats on finishing your marathon! Very good for a young pup! Nice job. Next time will be much faster, I am sure. Huskydon
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 09:03 AM
JJJ – you did it! You finished the race, AND you did it in better than average time (I think the average finishing time in 2006 was 4:58 or thereabouts), in spite of being in a lot of pain, and less than ideal conditions. Great job you Marathoner you!Nice tip on the caffeinated gels – never thought of that. Maybe next time I try a marathon I should carry some of those as an alternate option. I know I had trouble keeping my HR down in my race. So, shall we go for another marathon in the fall?
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Holly
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deez4boyz
Member |
posted Apr-02-2007 09:19 AM
nice report and congratulations on your 1st marathon!!
it's an amazing feeling!!enjoy your recovery and bask in your accomplishment!!
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 09:31 AM
CONGRATULATIONS JJJessee !!!!That certainly sounds like a neat running area and race. I will have to keep this in mind for the future. It definitely is unique. I thought of you as I passed Abingdon on I-81 on my trip to Knoxville. Thanks again for the invite to stop in and meet you folks. If the timing had been right, I definitely would have done so. You certainly adjusted and ran a good race. This will be a good base to build off of for future running. The trail will never be the same for you again, as you train. Thanks for sharing. ------------------
vista129
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mcsolar99
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 09:50 AM
congrats jjj! sounds like a really solid effort, and you're right that it's a great starting point. don't sweat it about going out too fast... we all make mistakes, and the key is to eventually learn from them, and do something else wrong next time  enjoy your recovery!
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jdmom3
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:03 AM
Congratulations JJJessee! Even though you had a less than fun finish, you did finish and in a time that was pretty close to your goal. It is very very hard to hold back in those first miles in a marathon. I think the marathon is almost as much about that discipline as it is about endurance. It just takes time to learn that discipline. My first marathon I did the exact same thing and suffered from about mile 21 or 22 on in. It sounds like a great experience all around for you - getting to meet boomer Tramps and wife, running on a nice trail, and finishing your first marathon! Meg
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jemmama
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:04 AM
Congratulations! You toughed it out. You da man!
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breger1
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:06 AM
Marathoner JJJ! Way to go. Enjoy the grin you'll have for a week or more. You'll only ever have 1 first marathon, so enjoy the well deserved afterglow.Bill ------------------
Bill's Profile
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MustangSally
Member |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:10 AM
JJJ, I'm so proud of you!You slugged it out and finished a MARATHON! Congratulations. Isn't that disconnect between what our minds know to be true ("I gotta slow down") and what we do anyway astonishing? Enjoy your recovery - you've earned it.
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bigapplepie
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:13 AM
Great job hanging in there. Congratulations!
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:16 AM
YYYes! Good Puppy! I am so happy to read this report and hear that you finished strong. I love your fashion report, particularly the custom lucky headband. So nice to hear of another great Boomer meeting, especially Tramps, one of my favorites! Congratulations!
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arf 1
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:26 AM
Hey puppy, you did just fine, and that is so great to have your wife there to support you and to also meet a fellow boomer! I am sure you have a sub 4:45 in you, just try to take it slower at the start next time and you'll have more left for the finish. Congrats!arf
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jura
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:40 AM
jjj,
congratulations for finishing your first marathon! I admire your perseverence and guts for pulling it out to the finish line. Your training took place mostly "under the radar", but you never complained, just kept going. Great time, too. The caffeine thing is a good thing to make a mental note of. Thank you.
j
PS.: Also great that you and DW had a good time with Sir and Lady Trampsalot!
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