Cool Running :: VCM – Not Quite All the Marbles But Close

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VCM – Not Quite All the Marbles But Close

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Author	Topic: VCM – Not Quite All the Marbles But Close
SkipAZ Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:06 PM Short Version: 3:04:37, OA:97/2506, AG:M5054 3/158, PR, BQ Met some really nice folks, had a lot of fun. Great course, beautiful place. Longer Version: This was my third marathon in Modern Times, 4th ever. There have been enough other VCM reports (including an excellent course description by aliceneal titled VCM Secrets), so I won’t bore you with too many details. I had a lot of training invested in this race and decided to go for the stretch goal of sub-3 from the start. I did a poor job of pacing myself the first 10K with splits all over the place from 7:25 for the first mile to 6:21 for the 4th. The middle 30K of the race I found the groove and clicked them off like clockwork, properly adjusting (backing off) on the hills particularly at miles 8 & 15. I hit mile 20 at 2:16:12, on track for a superb race. And promptly fell apart, running the last 10K in 48:25. I had stomach issues in the early part of the race from drinking too much Gatorade. This totally messed up my refueling strategy so the combination of a few overly exuberant miles early and lack of fuel caused me to run out of steam when the race is really supposed to start. I pushed as best I could but it was painful and slow. The fatigue after mile 20 caused me to lose form, which led to fairly severe hip pain. At the 25 mile marker I encountered something new – some sort of allergic reaction I think (you could see the pollen blowing out of the flowering trees) that was like an asthma attack, with that rather scary feeling of breathing in and not getting any air – just a horrendous sucking sound. It was all I could do to walk for a 100 meters or so until I could breathe again. Soon after, I was back in cheering crowds again and I plodded on, even kicked (slightly) the last 100 meters or so and re-passed a couple guys and crossed the finish line. Then, continuing my quest to compare Medical Tent procedures from race to race, I promptly got extremely lightheaded and briefly passed out. I am happy to report, the finish line volunteers were right there to catch me before I hit the pavement, just like at Hartford. They literally dragged my sorry butt into the med tent and turned me over to the very competent medical staff. Once I was on the cot, I was responsive enough to again avoid an IV and it only took me 40 minutes or so this time to convince them that I was normally that stupid and it was OK to let me out of there to claim the sample of Ben & Jerry’s Fudge Brownie Mix that I had worked so hard for. My timing was pretty good I guess since the only torrential downpour of the morning occurred while I was wrapped up in a nice warm blanket in the nice dry tent. Goals for next time (yes I know I swore I would NEVER run another one of these again about mile 22 but I was only kidding): 1. No injuries 2. Finally get the hydration/re-fueling right 3. Sub-3 hours 4. Avoid the Medical Tent While I was disappointed to not break three hours, I know I gave it my best shot for the day and there was no doubt the tank was dry when I crossed the line. The weather was good, the crowds were great, the Boomers fun, the race well organized. An entry pass to Boston, in the top 100 OA and third for my AG – I can live with that. Oh, and it was a PR by 28 minutes. The power of high volume quality miles. Thanks for reading. Skip IP: Logged
hally Moderator of Boomers and Beyond	posted May-29-2007 09:13 PM Glad you finally admitted to this HUGH PR Skip!!! SHEEESH that is something to crow about. After all that stomach distress, pollen attack and hip problems you PR by nearly a half hour. Can't imagine what you would have done had everything gone your way. Well done! Barb IP: Logged
Sans Souci Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:16 PM quote: Oh, and it was a PR by 28 minutes. Just slip that in at the very end, Sly Skip. High volume quality miles? Okay, I'm convinced. The part after Mile 25 is downright scary. I hope you can sort out what that asthma attack-like business is. (Shudder) You deserve this (I mean the PR, of course) and more, Skip. Go get that sub-3 sans Med Tent at finish. Hope some R&R is part of the strategy. IP: Logged
kameele Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:31 PM Skip--sounds like a fantastic, but very painful race. I think you give new meaning to leavingit all on the track. 3rd in AG in a very competitive crowd adds to the fun. I guess with all the high quality volume miles the next one will be sub-3 IP: Logged
choover Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:33 PM Dear Skip, I have been waiting for this report. First, congratulations on a HUGH PR, 3 AG, and top 100 OA finish. I can only imagine what you would do on a day with a) no stomach trouble b) no hip pain c) no asthmatic reaction and d) proper fueling. You really went through a lot and I hope you are feeling okay today. I can't help but wonder what it would be like to run 20 miles in the time it takes me to plod through 13. Congratulations and please check into that asthma stuff. cheryl IP: Logged
Caddisfli Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:54 PM OK that is a way scary ending to this race Skip! It is also however one heck of a darn impressive run! If that's what you can do amid all those troubles then a sub 3 is out there no doubt! I saw you on the turn around at the intervale and gave out a shout. I think you reacted. It was great meeting you ad I look forward to future fast races from you. Hartford? cheers, cfli IP: Logged
rosecoloredglasses Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:55 PM Hi Skip! What a nice day! You ran so well, you left nothing on the plate. Congratulations on shattering your personal best by 28 minutes and for being 3rd in your age group and for qualifying for Boston yet again. You had to endure a lot this weekend... two dinners with the loons from Virginia. Hope you are recovering well. It was an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you. IP: Logged
Spareribs Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 09:59 PM You're right you know. Run lots of miles and ensure enough of them are of quality and sustainable throughout the training. That's all there is to it. You were superbly trained, and would have run 2:57 or so but for a couple of things going awry. I was very happy for you about the finish time, the PR, and your overall strength and conditioning. You have time now to let the hip heal thoroughly, stay conditioned through the heat and then nail one in the fall, should you choose to do so. Very well done Skip, and congrats on the monster PR. Spareribs IP: Logged
mrsribs Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 10:04 PM Skip, that's an amazing PR, congratulations. A sub 3 is just around the corner. Mrs. Ribs IP: Logged
Bugs34 Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 10:14 PM Sounds like most of your run was pretty awesome, a PR, BQ, and ice cream for dessert. I had to chuckle about your med-tent report, because I too went down right after crossing the finish line. I run my 2nd in a couple of weeks, and surely it can't happen again...after reading your RR I guess so. Glad you're OK. Awesome finish time. Enjoy your recovery. ------------------ Bugs IP: Logged
ptbrown Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 10:28 PM Congratulations on a huge PR! IP: Logged
FlyingFinn Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 10:47 PM Very very nice, Skip! I was impressed by the high mileage you did in training. I'm even more impressed with the results. Wow, 3rd AG and a hugh PR! No doubt you would be under 3 without the stomach issues and scary sucking sounds. The passing out part was scary, too. Please refrain from that in the future. You deserve a truck load of Ben & Jerry's! See you in Boston! IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 11:08 PM Well it seems to me that I recall every race you run you get a PR. I know it was one when we raced together in Phoenix this last February. But 28 minutes!? Wow!! You are a very talented runner and you work very hard to achieve what you have. Congratulations! IP: Logged
Doctor Wu Cool Runner	posted May-29-2007 11:14 PM You shouldn't have made such a big PR. That will just make the next one harder. I think what you smelled near mile 25 was lilac bushes at the cemetary. They bloom with a big bang up here in late May. Great run! IP: Logged
busiman Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 12:14 AM Congratulations Skip! That was a damned fast race. You're obviously fit enough for a sub3, I'm sure you'll hit it next time! ------------------ busiman (formerly busyman) IP: Logged
WillRunForBeer Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 05:35 AM Wow! A 28 minute PR itself is amazing, but 3:04 is mind-boggling. That was one heckova nice race, Skip. IP: Logged
Elaine3112 Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 08:13 AM Skip Excellant PR and well done for toughing it out towards the end. The sub 3 is imminent and I'm sure you'll be giving the med tent a miss from now on. Well done and rest up. IP: Logged
breger1 Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 08:30 AM Excellent race Skip, though you scared me with the breathing episode and the passing out at the end. (And we do this for Fun???) Anyway, I'd be really interested in what types of Quality you put into your high volume miles. I definitely put in the high volume miles, but have not yet added much Quality to them. Did you do Tempos, Intervals, Progressions, all of the above? Again, congrats. That sub-3 is right around the corner. Bill ------------------ Bill's Profile IP: Logged
Tramps Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 08:40 AM Holy %$&*! That sounds like a tough one. But a 28 minute PR is stunning. Congratulations on the AG place, the PR, all of it. There's lots of hard work behind those numbers. BTW, I think I smell a bestseller ..."Skip's Guide to Marathon Med Tents." IP: Logged
runningindc Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 08:45 AM Wow Skip, great race. Thanks for sharing the experience. ------------------ Running in wellness Liz Lizs Profile IP: Logged
dg9 Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 09:13 AM Skip, congratulations! And you just casually slip in the 4 biggies at the end.... Amazing, especially considering what you went through. Scary. quote: "Anyway, I'd be really interested in what types of Quality you put into your high volume miles. I definitely put in the high volume miles, but have not yet added much Quality to them. Did you do Tempos, Intervals, Progressions, all of the above? Thanks Bill. I wanted to ask this, but thought surely I should know. thanks for your report. It was informative, inspiring, & entertaining. all in one package. IP: Logged
Dark Horse Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 09:40 AM Skip, You had an amazingly successful race, despite all the problems toward the end. Who places in their AG in such a big event? Great job. Dark Horse ------------------ I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course IP: Logged
hollys4874 Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 09:55 AM Skip – The passing out part and breathing issues are really scary, but you really gutted it out through some tough times during the race and did an awesome job! Congratulations on a huge PR and AG award! And, like Breger and Debbie, I’d really like to hear more about the high-quality miles. Great race and report! ------------------ Holly IP: Logged
tselbs Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 10:42 AM Outstanding job, Skip. A speedy race, monstrous PR, BQ, AG award, and top 100 OA. What more could you ask for? I'm sorry to hear about the med tent visit but glad to know the problem was short lived. Congratulations. TomS ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
DaveinAA Cool Runner	posted May-30-2007 10:52 AM Holy bejeezus, Skip. To call this a breakthrough race for you would be a massive understatement. I'm glad I got to share some of your high volume quality miles on our 20 together in the woods last summer--so that's how it's done. Although you made light of it, your allergic reaction and med tent episode at the end sounds truly scary. I'm glad you're OK and are already setting new goals. Our half-marathon times are similar, so if you can break through like this then just maybe... Well done, thanks for the inspiration, and heartfelt congratulations, my friend. Dave IP: Logged

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