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Topic: MCM report |
gregw
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-28-2007 03:29 PM
  
I ran the Marine Corps Marathon today. This was my third time at MCM and I've always fallen a little short of my expectations there for some reason. I'm not sure why. Maybe I build up expectations during the summer? Maybe I don't train effectively in the summer heat? Who knows. Anyway today was no different. My goal was to BQ (3:15:59, 7:28 min/mi), which I knew was a stretch based on my 1:33:27 half I ran 6 weeks ago. My marathon pace run (20 w/14 at MP) didn't really support it either, but I had some great long runs and interval sessions in the last few weeks that made me think I could be in 3:15 shape.The short story is that I held onto pace as long as I could even though my HRM and my senses told me it was going to cost me later. Then, I died on Hains Point like many a good man. 00:37:38 @ 5M, Pace 7:31, Predicted 03:17:04
-- hills early, I tried to be smart 01:37:57 @ Half, Pace 7:28, Predicted 03:15:45
-- at the half, I realized I had nothing in the bank, but I couldn't really go faster, so I just tried to run 7:27's as long as I could 01:52:05 @ 15M, Pace 7:28, Predicted 03:15:45 02:15:09 @ 18M, Pace 7:30, Predicted 03:16:38
-- 15 to 18 is hains point. Miles were 7:30, 7:31 (tailwind) and then 7:57 for mile 18 (headwind). A guy in a cow suit also passed me here, which was kind of demoralizing  0 02:49:08 @ 22M, Pace 7:41, Predicted 03:21:26
-- I was bleeding fast and by 22 knew I had no chance, so I just wanted to finish and didn't really care about my time. Lots of thoughts in here like "Maybe I should race shorter distances for a while?" 03:27:32 @ Finish, Pace 7:54
-- I was done! One important note: I re-passed !#$#@% cow suit at mile 24. He had taken off his cow bell by then. A little over 3 minutes slower than my PR in May. 29 minutes faster than last year's MCM, so that's something I suppose. Despite the disappointing time, I had fun today. Mainly because I had my very own spectator! A childhood friend of mine (who's also a runner -- but *much* faster than me) was in town and came to see me. He couldn't have been a better spectator. He was at the start (didn't see him though), at Lincoln's left hand (Lincoln memorial) and then at his right hand -- saw him both times. Then (now this is a real friend), I unexpectedly saw him out on the 14th street bridge! (I thought he was going to be in Crystal City.) A couple of notes on the new course: I don't like it I felt like the stretch that replaced Rock Creek Parkway (under construction) was hillier, which delayed buying back time from Rosslyn hills. Also going past Iwo Jima and then having to double back sucks! Please, can I just make a left? You also go downhill on the out and have to go back up some ramp on the way back. You can look up at the runners ahead and know that you're going to have to get up there somehow. Geez. I'm not sure what I'll do now. There's another marathon I like in four weeks that I did last year after MCM, but 1) I think I'm just not quite in shape to run a 3:15 right now; and 2) I feel like this race took more out of me than last year's. The early steep downhills did a number on my quads and both my calves cramped up in the last two miles (which was pretty uncomfortable!).
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Fast Like the Wind
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-28-2007 04:41 PM
Sorry to hear you missed your BQ Greg. I think that I can copy your race report and put my times in, same thing happened to me. I was feeling pretty good and running strong through Hains Pt, but had nothing in the bank nor nothing left for our return trip to VA. I'll post my report shortly.
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leitnerj
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-28-2007 05:26 PM
Nice job, Greg - although disappointing, you can't really complain
about a 29 minute course PR. I think you should come out and
do NCR - you may surprise yourself as it's a much easier race,
especially with less traffic. Each marathon is another lesson
in how to run a marathon! You'll definitely hit the BQ, whether
it's the next race, or a few down the road.
------------------
MyRunningLog
MyStuff
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My marathons and ultras
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martinjames
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-28-2007 07:33 PM
You fought the good fight my man. I know that if you went for even splits the time would have been better, but you would never have known if the stars aligned just right for a BQ. I don't like the new course either. WAY too many turns. I swear it's like running 27 miles. Too many people to really cut the corners. The hills at the start are very difficult to navigate. I think my first two miles I averaged 8:30 or more, and the second two were 7 flat. Too frickin steep, and MacArthur Blvd was no better. The wind was also a barrier, although in fairness this year it pushed us across the bridge instead of the other way around. But I'm pretty sure that it was blowing us backward in the last couple miles. Route 110 is just so dang ugly. And the combination of Hains point and that bridge are a real bear. I've only run a few marathons, but that stretch from 16-21 is a mental challenge I went back to my "it only hurts it won't hurt me" mantra @ mile 17 . . . a long way from the finish. One more quick good word for pacers. With the hills and crowds, I started behind the 3:30 pacer, but every now and then I could spot those balloons up ahead. I set chase and finally caught them @ mile 11. From there on out, the pacer (a) helped navigate through the crowds, (b) provided just enough information to provide a distration through the above-mentioned 16-21, (c) banked just the right amount of time, and (d) buffeted the winds in that last section. I don't know what it is, but there's some weird psychological benefit to hanging with pacers. Those last 4-5 miles were really tough for me (with limited preparation due to injury), but damn if I was going to let up and lose the pack. I really can't say enough good things about pacers. On the other hand, unless I missed it in the stupor that was the last mile, I think cowsuit beat me. The advantage of aging is that BQ qualifying standards drop dramatically. My 3:28 and change gets me into Boston in 2009. At the end of the day, I don't think it was the right course or right day for a PR. Oh, and I had similar thoughts as I endured those last miles. Things like "why do I do this?" And "this is a stupid way to spend a lovely Sunday morning." Strange thing running.
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QuickSilver
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-28-2007 09:40 PM
Hi Greg,Great job with the 3:27 finish. I thought it was hillier too. We had a guy in a cow costume too (3:40 pace). They must have planned it for MCM. This was my first MCM, and the finish was somehow very satisfying. I don't know the various sections like you do, but I agree with your assessments. The only thing I might add is that the roads were narrow at places--if you cram 8 runners abreast, it makes for some tight running lanes and passing is also more difficult. I had to walk miles 16-18 to check on a nagging condition, but I still managed to finish at 4:10. I normally run 3:38s. Best of luck with your next race! ------------------
QuickSilver
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When it comes to running, there are no bad days! My Profile
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martinjames
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 07:16 AM
My quads today tell me that the hills made a difference.
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gregw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 08:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by martinjames:
My quads today tell me that the hills made a difference.
Same here. This is the worst my quads have been after a race. I had a 6:59 downhill mile early in the race that I think I'm paying for. Despite that, I just signed up for NCR. A fit of insanity? By the way, when does Boston fill up? James, I know it filled in 07 before you qualified in March. I think my local options after NCR are the GW B'day marathon in mid-February and the B&A trail marathon on 2 March.
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runninlaw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 08:30 AM
Congrats gregw!Sorry to hear you missed your BQ time, but I am so glad to hear you passed the #%^$ cow!  If I were you I would find a better course to try on. Marine Corps is tough (I hear - never have personally run it) because of hills, turns and crowd congestion. Try to find a smaller race that bills itself out as flat and fast. Of course you need everything to come together on race day too, but I have found the smaller races to be a bit more enjoyable and more conducive to faster times. Recover well!!
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tecdad
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 09:50 AM
Yup my queda hurt today too, well not really urt but they are tight and I don't remember that to be the case in past marathons.I saw the cow guy on the metro after the race, and wondered if he was sponsored by Dell Computers ------------------
Kevin
(aka TecDad)
My home page "Every morning in Africa, an antelope wakes up. It knows it must outrun the lion, or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the antelope, or it will starve.
It doesn't mater whether you're a lion or an antelope - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."
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martinjames
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 12:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gregw:
Same here. This is the worst my quads have been after a race. I had a 6:59 downhill mile early in the race that I think I'm paying for.Despite that, I just signed up for NCR. A fit of insanity? By the way, when does Boston fill up? James, I know it filled in 07 before you qualified in March. I think my local options after NCR are the GW B'day marathon in mid-February and the B&A trail marathon on 2 March.
I don't know when it fills. I consciously chose not to found out last Spring because I wanted to keep the dream alive. My handy Forerunner tells me that I ran a 6:58 down Spoutrun and that I probably ran 6:40 pace coming down the hill to canal.
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CMJHawk86
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 02:50 PM
Great job and great report.I live in the area, have never done MCM, but am already signed up for the National Marathon in March. That one is also a Boston qualifier. Just a thought.
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spkoest
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-29-2007 03:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by CMJHawk86:
A guy in a cow suit also passed me here, which was kind of demoralizing
This did make me laugh out loud! Good race. I think the cow was the problem.
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danerunsalot
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-30-2007 06:55 PM
29 minutes on a course that is by far harder this year will definitely help you sleep at night. Not having reached all your goals will make you want to try harder though. I can relate.Awesome work, Greg.
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