Mardi-Gras marathon / half-marathon

[rjm]

So what was everyone's split times? Any lessons learned?

Mine were:

1 06:37 06:37
2 06:29 13:06
3 06:27 19:33
4 06:47 26:20
5 06:47 33:07
6 06:48 39:54
7 06:44 46:39
8 06:46 53:24
9 06:45 01:00:09
10 06:47 01:06:56
11 06:43 01:13:39
12 06:42 01:20:22
13 06:46 01:27:07
14 06:47 01:33:54
15 06:44 01:40:38
16 06:50 01:47:28
17 06:51 01:54:19
18 07:08 02:01:26
19 06:57 02:08:24
20 07:15 02:15:38
21 07:16 02:22:54
22 07:46 02:30:39
23 07:45 02:38:25
24 08:04 02:46:29
25 08:14 02:54:43
26 08:07 03:02:50

26.2 @ 03:05:55

It's funny how sudden the soreness set in on my
upper legs. Aerobically, I could keep the pace but
my legs were not having any of it. Lessons learned?
Don't go out too fast! -- of course, I know this, and
yet, I still fall victim to it from time to time.

Anyway, congrats again to Kenny! You killed that
race man.

[Kenny Pfeiffer]

Most people know that a big group of local runners went over to New Orleans this past weekend for the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. I am not sure if everyone hit the times they were looking to run, but I am almost positive that everyone had a blast. For those who care, here is my race recap:

Going into this marathon I felt like I was pretty well prepared, but I crammed all of my marathon specific training into 6 weeks, so I was hoping that I had done enough. I woke up at 4:30 Sunday morning and ate 2 pop tarts with some gatorade to ease my stomach. I checked out the weather channel and was pleased to see that the forecast seemed to be correct. I believe it was 47 degrees at the start and I couldn't really ask for anything better. It started warming up a bit in the later stages of the race and I would not have wanted to be out there much longer than I was.

I had a 3 tier goal for this marathon:
1. Re-qualify for Boston (3:10)
2. PR ( faster than 2:54:46)
3. Sub 2:50 (Knew it would be tough)

After talking it over with Jon, I decided to start conservatively and work my way down to and then below goal pace. I am glad I decided to run this way because it made it easier in the latter stages of the race.

I felt really good for about the first 7 miles or so. I saw Suzie Wilder and her daughter Rachel in Audubon Park (approx. mile 5.5) and they offered me some encouragement which was great. Its always good to hear cheering coming from someone you know. Around mile 7 I increased the pace a little and it took me a few miles to adjust. Luckily along St. Charles I found a pack to join and just hang on to for a while. Around mile 10 I started getting into a groove and I left the pack. As we came into downtown I was feeling really good and the crowds were great. My wife was at 11 then I saw Pat Hilliard and Ricky Leonard around 11.5, and Jon and Ray were near 12 and informed me that Leonard was about 3 minutes ahead of me. This was a good stretch for me and I ran my fastest miles through here. The crowds were great as we ran through the French Quarter and turned onto Esplanade. When we got out to City Park (mile 14.5) I saw our crazy friend from New Orleans, Sean Fitzwilliam. He ran out onto the course to give me a high five and really got me pumped up when I was starting to feel some pain. I made it to mile 16 and I decided to back off just a bit to make sure I had enough gas to finish this thing. I dropped from 6:25 back down to 6:30-6:35. I was feeling pretty crappy for the next few miles and wanted to give up but when we got to an out-and-back section from mile 19.5 to 22.5 I saw Leonard and it gave me something to go after. I was in pain but I decided to MTFU and try to give it a go. As we came through 23 I was rolling again and ran away from 2 guys who had recently caught me. I was able to catch another 2 guys ahead of me and one of them went with me as we picked off a couple more. At 24 the pain was get bad again but I saw Scott and then Robyn and both offered words of encouragement and inspiration. At this point I knew I was gonna make it. In the last mile I faded again a bit and let the guy I was working together with run off and leave me. This is really the only thing I walk away from this race disappointed about. In hindsight, I wish I had sucked it up and went with him. I ended up picking off another guy with about a half mile to go and finished 25th overall in a new PR of 2:51:51. I did not meet my goal of 2:50, but given my lackluster training and the fact that it is almost a 3 minute PR for me and I cannot complain about that at all. All in all, it was a great race and a great time was had by all.

Jake, first, of all, congrats on a huge 12 minute PR! As for my splits, I have them on my watch at home and I'm at work right now. I will edit this post and add them when I get home.

The lesson I learned is that I am able to push through pain if I dig down deep enough. That's what I leave this race most proud about.

[clawson]

Kenny, all I got to say is wow,great job. I believe everytime I see a time for you you seem to get faster & faster. To top it off, you did it in six weeks. Do I see a 2:45 in the near future for you.

[Kenny Pfeiffer]

Chris, first off, thanks! I sure do wish you'd get back out there and join me. Man, I miss those days of pushing each other. When you get a chance I hope to run with you again. How's the new job by the way?

[Kenny Pfeiffer]

Here are my splits:

1 06:47 06:47
2 06:46 13:33
3 06:45 20:18
4 06:45 27:04
5 06:35 33:40
6 06:27 40:07
7 06:24 46:32
8 06:28 53:00
9 06:23 59:23
10 06:26 01:05:50
11 06:20 01:12:10
12 06:22 01:18:33
13 06:25 01:24:58
14 06:25 01:31:23
15 06:33 01:37:57
16 06:23 01:44:21
17 06:31 01:50:52
18 06:31 01:57:23
19 06:35 02:03:59
20 06:30 02:10:30
21 06:41 02:17:12
22 06:46 02:23:58
23 06:47 02:30:46
24 06:25 02:37:12
25 06:37 02:43:50
26 06:38 02:50:29

26.2 @ 02:51:51

[Bill Cherney]

Thanks to Jon for providing some much needed encouragement during the run and leading the finish line cheering section. I thought the race would feel easier than First Light due to its flat course but it did not end that way for me. It may have been my week in Mexico that took the edge off, not sure. Just never felt as prepared as I wanted too. I wanted to break 3:30 and I did do that. I took 6 minutes off my first light time of a few weeks earlier so I was happy enough with that. This run was mentally more challenging that i expected. I think the long run around City Park took its toll on me. It was a well organized and supported run, all in all very fun.

Well I hate to post mine after the stellar times already there but here they are.

1 7:35
2 7.28 15.03
3 7.33 22.37
4 7.42 30.19
5 7.36 37.56
6 7.44 45.40
7 7.42 53.22
8 7.47 1.01.10
9 7.44 1.08.54
10 7.47 1.16.41
11 7.44 1.24.26
12 7.48 1.32.15
13 7.54 1.40.09
14 7.52 1.48.02
15 7.50 1.55.53
16 7.51 2.03.44
17 7.58 2.11.43
18 7.59 2.19.43
19 8.09 2.27.53
20 7.59 2.35.52
21 8.15 2.44.07
22 8.41 2.52.48
23 8.34 3.01.23
24 8.17 3.09.41
25 8.30 3.18.11
26 8.33 3.26.45
26. 1.44 3.28.30

26.2 miles 3.28.30

[rjm]

Those are some sick times, Kenny!

And Bill, nice solid run and congrats on sub-3:30!

What was your guys weekly mileage at?

My weekly mileage for training was up to 50 miles a week
but in retrospect, I think I took the training a bit long. It comes
out to a total of 6 months worth of training but I think 3 months
is more than enough, given that adequate weekly mileage is
already there.

Also, pre-race meal(2 hours before start): 1/2 cup of rolled oats,
12 grams of whey protein, blueberries and honey with two egg
whites and some water.

And starting around mile 6-7, I began alternating water
and cytomax at the mile stations.

[Kenny Pfeiffer]

Bill great job in running faster on just 6 weeks recovery. My weekly mileage for my 6 week plan was 70, 63, 58, 78, 33, 52...kind of all over the place, but I went for quality over quantity. I made the most of my strength workouts doing longer tempos such as 9 mi < 1hr, 13 mi < 1:30, 16 mi < 2 hrs. I think ideally I'd get between 12-18 weeks of preparation for a race and maybe 18-24 if it was a big key race, but you can get it done on less.

[Richard Kutzner]

First, Congrats to all of you--some really great times posted.

I didn't keep track of my splits but had the following:5k=24.49, 10k=49:45, 13.m=1:45:18, 21m=2:49:41, 26.2m=3:34:32.

I do feel pretty good about my run, although I ended up getting cramps in my right leg at mile 23 which slowed me down for about a mile then I was okay again.

Jon had me completing the race in 3:35, so he was right on. I basically did what he felt I was able to do with the training that I had. I also managed to get 2nd place in my age group.

I ran Rock and Roll AZ Jan 17 so also had a short time preparing for this race. My five weeks of training was 17, 59, 61,57, 38 miles with three good strong long runs.

[kenric]

1 7:00
2 6:59
3 6:38
4 6:39
5 6:42
6 6:39
7 6:42
8 6:42
9 6:45
10 6:45
11 6:37
12 6:34
13 6:44
14 6:50
15 6:34
16 6:46
17 6:57
18 7:02
19 7:18
20 8:22
21 9:01
22 10:24
23 9:46
24 9:17
25 9:16
26 8:11

26.2 @ 3:16:58

i was toast at mile 20. i rolled my ankle last month and have only been running 30ish miles per week for the past 4 weeks. but theres always another marathon.

after looking back at the numbers, looks like mile 15 did me in.