| Author |
Topic: Yet another Seattle Marathon RR |
Dove61
Cool Runner |
 posted Nov-26-2007 05:45 PM
   
After Boston last year, I made the tough decision to focus on running lots of marathons this year instead of running just one or two at maximum effort. As I expected, more frequent marathons meant my pace slowed considerably and I found myself firmly in the 4:20-4:30 finish times by mid-summer. I felt frustrated (even though I knew this would happen) so I turned to 50ks and adopted the more laid-back attitude of trail runners. I really enjoyed my new running world and found that even with slower times, I was making respectable placements in my age group. I approached Seattle (my first road marathon since July) with one goal: HAVE FUN. I also had two “it would be nice if it happened” goals: get my 2009 BQ and a PR. I really didn’t think the last two were much of a possibility since all of my training has consisted of a slow marathon or 50k every 2-4 weeks with lots of easy runs in between. It turned out to be a great weekend in Seattle. One that I’m sure will become one of those “Boomer Legends”. I’ve attended enough Boomer gatherings to know it’s best not report on them, and everyone else has given their version anyway, so I’ll skip directly to my marathon report…. Race morning was cool and clear. I wore a black Brooks long sleeve tech top, yellow Maniac singlet, black skirt, Brooks Adrenaline 6’s in copper and blue Smartwool socks (I decided to wear the dorky ankle-length version to protect my ankles from chip-strap chafing). I left my hair loose and finished off the look with diamond studs and white gold hoops. As usual, when the starting horn sounded, everyone went off way too fast. I got caught up in the momentum, but I was feeling good so I decided it was best to go with the flow and not risk getting trampled. The first hill was hard since I didn’t feel adequately warmed-up. The tunnel was horrible: all the walkers were crowded around the aid station and it was impossible to grab a cup, plus the smell of old car exhaust made me sprint towards open air. Once out of the tunnel, the cool breeze of the lake swept over me and I felt great. I hit the half way point around 1:52: much faster than I expected. I was starting to sweat so I reached into my pocket to retrieve an electrolyte tablet only to discover I had left them in the hotel room. Eek! I knew this meant trouble down the road. Sure enough, after topping Galer hill I felt the first twinge of a cramp in my quads. I cursed my legs and told them “we’re finishing this race and running the whole way, so buck up.” I forced myself to keep turning my legs over even though the pain was getting worse. Then it started to migrate: left quad, right calf, left hamstring, right arch, left toes etc….Something would seize, then let up as I kept forcing a quick cadence through the Arboretum. I looked at my watch, but couldn’t think clearly through the pain and couldn’t tell if I was on track for a BQ. I thought briefly about stopping, then decide a little cramping never killed anyone so I forged ahead. I flew down the last hill towards the stadium and suddenly all the pain went away. I crossed the finish line in 3:59:10. I got my 2009 BQ out of the way but missed a PR by a few seconds (my PR is 3:58:46). I finished 21 out of 402 in my age group. And, in spite of the horrible cramping, I had FUN! - Dove
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wa5yom
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 06:19 PM
Wonderful job DOVE...and most of all you concentrated on having FUN...of course a BQ can do that for someone...hehe
Great job of getting through the cramps...this is what experience does for you...it provides mental toughness...you got it....Congrats on a great race... Tim,
Ardmore, OK. ------------------
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 06:19 PM
WooHoo! I just got the AG listing to pull up and saw you just before a read your RR. Very nice, ma'am! I swear there's nothing worse than cramping when everything else (joints, breathing, etc) is going well. You must've finished right around the same as divechief? Funny how we can pass each other and not recognize it; you were right behind me! Hard to balance the few quality marathons with the more frequent runs at slower speeds when the parties beforehand are so much fun... Congrats on your '09 BQ, it is nice to have that in the bag, no?------------------
evanflein
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 06:41 PM
very very nice Dove!! Congrats on the 09 BQ! I'm sure it's nice to know you've got that one tucked away, although I don't doubt for a minute that you'll get an even better time at an upcoming marathon this next year and would've gotten that 2009 BQ anyways. And as always, you got to party with the best of them! lucky girl that you are! ------------------
Tamalina
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Iapetus999
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 06:48 PM
Great job with an almost PR Great meeting you at the "Pink Door"
Now that the BQ is out of the way, you can focus on even more fun.  ------------------
-Andy
Competing in 5Ks and HM's
My running/writing blog:
http://blog.dawnsrise.com/2007/10/running-gear.html
PS it's iapetus NOT Lapetus
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 07:02 PM
Great job Dove.Congratulations on the 09 BQ. I found it strange that they would put a water stop in/near a tunnel. The fumes from all the autos that have gone through there in recent months would cause many to have a problem. Thanks for the report. ------------------
vista129
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 07:05 PM
heehee, Dove, I love the phrase "a slow marathon or 50K every 2-4 weeks" (meh, nothin' special)...  You had me going with your description of the cramps -- I feared for the worst! -- but hooray! You pulled off another fabulous BQ in Seattle!
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enkephalin
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 07:22 PM
Congratulations on your awesome race. Sorry we didn't get to talk more. Sounds like you have a magical way of combining a BQ with having FUN with banishing those cramps, all at the same time.Good luck in Boston. btw, I didn't mind the tunnel at all. It was the slipperyness around the aid station in there that had me worried.
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 09:48 PM
Congratulations, Dove. Top 5% in your AG ... WOW. It's nice to know you can crank out a fast one when you need to. If you remember the tablets next time, a PR is yours for the taking. All that slow running has you in great aerobic condition.------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
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busiman
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 09:53 PM
Congrats on pushing through the cramping to finish strong and BQ09! Isn't it funny how we lose the ability to do simple math at the end of a marathon?Thanks for posting...it was a fun read! ------------------
busiman
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Dove61
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 09:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Fortunate One:
Congratulations, Dove. Top 5% in your AG ... WOW.
Actually, it's not as good as it orginally appeared. The results were messed up. I knew 21 out of 402 didnt seem right, and sure enough, the half marathoners and marathoners were thrown in together in the results. Split times are all off and make no sense. The good news, though, is the final time is correct and I still have my BQ. It may take weeks to get the official results.
[This message has been edited by Dove61 (edited Nov-26-2007).]
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rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 10:30 PM
DOVE.. Fantastic run. Congrats on 2009 BQ. Unfortunate about the cramps. I too had my share and like you they seemed to migrate. I too didn't bring the E caps as I was thinking, its cold out, you won't need them.. But, in the true spirit you worked through them (I wimped out) and ran fairly consistant splits. It was great chatting with you and all the other boomers. Maybe we will see you soon at another local race.------------------
Good running!!!
Mike's Profile
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Opie
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-26-2007 10:52 PM
Well, you already know what I think but I'll say it here anyway. Amazing. Even if I were on pace for a BQ, the cramps would've blown that.
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tagcaver
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 06:08 AM
Congrats on a BQ despite the cramping. You showed true grit hanging in there towards the end.
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evryday
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 06:20 AM
Good race and report. I read mental toughness and race experience all throughout your report. I'll carry your story about overcoming the cramping with me.Thanks for sharing. ------------------
Remember rule #6 My User Profile
My running log
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 07:20 AM
Great race, Dove! You showed great determination. Congrats on your '09 BQ!
PJ
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Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 07:49 AM
Dove
You can't beat having a fun race and getting a great result too, even if it was a little painful at times! Well done.
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 07:57 AM
Great result, Dove. Congratulations on yet another BQ!------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 08:32 AM
Your experience at the distance helped you mentally during this race. Had you been a novice it would have seemed reasonable to say, "legs are cramping, better stop or walk." This is fortitude. I loved reading this report. I hope you give yourself a break at some time during the year to maintain your strength as you do a lot of races. Congrats on the BQ and a fine race. Spareribs
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 10:16 AM
Dove,It was great to meet one of the legends. When I grow up, I want to run marathons like you. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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spankee
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 01:19 PM
Way to push through to a BQ.Finding the right balance between number of races, length and speed that meets your goals is a challenge. Sometimes when we decide to slow down a bit to run more races, we forget that was our goal when end up running slower. Glad you have kept the "HAVE FUN" target in mind. Congrats again.
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 01:31 PM
Hoorah for your 2009 BQ! And having fun! And being the best dressed and accessorized goddess on the course. 
You are a natural runner and can excel at any distance and frequency. Congratulations!
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 02:02 PM
Dove.. congratulations on your 2009 BQ and a great race! This sounds like a crampy course! Nice job pushing through the discomfort. I guess that's what makes you a Maniac!Steve
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mariposai
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:34 AM
Dove, I have one regret from the Pink Door and that is not having the chance to visit with you. I hope next time I have the chance to tell you how much I admire you.Great race, congrats on your BQ on a difficult course...but you did get your first BQ in the same course last year, right? What a strong women and seasoned runner you are to pull out of the cramping the way you did. Thanks for sharing this experience with the newbies like me. I learned a lot from your RR. ------------------
"It also hit me afresh that in the Marathon, everyone who finishes is a winner in their own rite" Vista
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John2635
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:39 AM
Congrats Dove on your BQ and near PR, great mental toughness in the last few miles too, very impressive.
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