Marathon Disappointments

The more I think about Sunday and what happened, the more I think about how rough everyone of my marathon races have been. I'm not going to throw in the towel yet on the distance, I plan to build up to the Myrtle Beach Full in February like I originally planned but I think I will drop the trail 50K and just do the 25K at KSF. I have plenty of time to run trail ultras but I feel the time to strike with the marathon is this next 4-5 years. To get some confidence back that I still have some potential with the distance I really want to get right back out there and correct some issues as soon as possible. The 14 week window from now to MB Full could be about perfect. I plan to lay really low this week but then start a high mileage base phase.

Past Marathon Disappointments:

Chicago 2006 (2:31.32) Not really a disappointment as it was my first ever marathon and I was right out of college. At the time the trials standard was 2:22 which seemed like a doable pace back then. After a relaxed first 5K, I started to really get after it running low 5:20's over the next 10miles hitting a low 1:12 half and that was after 5:40s for the first 5K. I pushed on through 30K(18.6) still on 2:24 pace before the wheels came off. The last 10K was a hard bonk, but a bonk that I could run through. I basically averaged a minute slower per mile the last 6.2 then I had previously been running for 20miles. Still my fastest to date first half of a marathon and 20miler of a marathon. I was humbled but also at the time thinking this is the worse marathon I will ever run, so that makes me happy!

Twin Cities 2008 (DNF) Probably still to this day this was the fittest I have been going into a marathon. My tuneup races were strong and my training level was high. My tempo paces felt easy in practice. I ran my fastest half marathon tuneup before a full as while, running the hilly Parkersburg Half in 1:09.53 (also 3months after TCM I ran my half PR of 1:07.48 which was the result of the TCM buildup). I did develop a sore hip the last month of training and it seemed to break some of my rhythm going into the race but I still felt ready. Race day came and so did the hard rains and wind. More then half of the elite field dropped out and their was a lot of good runners with it being the USA Championships that year. By mile 13 I couldn't feel my entire body I was so cold from the rain. At 15 I dropped, even with the way the conditions forced this DNF it was still tough to handle missing a great opportunity.

Columbus 2009 (2:29.34) This was another "what if" type of race. I trained great for the race and ran my CDR PR (1:22.23) during the buildup along with one my best marathon prep workouts (2x6mile tempo with mile jog recovery in between--workout average of 5:21). I was also hitting my highest mileage ever but with that came a late foot injury about 3-4 weeks out. I was forced to drastically cut my mileage too soon before the race and ran with a lot of pain those last few weeks. By race day the pain was gone but again my rhythm was lost a bit. I ran a solid first half marathon and was looking like maybe with a negative split I could get a sub 2:25. The negative splitting was happening from miles 13-17 until my stomach could not handle anymore running without hitting a port-a-john. A quick trip would have been ok, but a few miles later I was hitting another stop. In all I calculate I lost in the range of 3minutes during the stops along with that it was hard to get back onto the pace I was previously running. I wanted to just quit, but knew i could still break 2:30. Luckily that goal was reached. I can't believe this is still my PR, especially considering all the issues I had right before and then during the race. I finished 6th overall but wonder high I could have been that year had everything went right!

Boston 2010 (2:35.10) Biggest disappointment with running could have been this race. I came in very fit but probably burnt out. My build went too long. I had some really strong training along the way but I just didn't time everything up right and was ready to be done before the gun even went off. By 10K I knew I wasn't going to run what I had hoped for many weeks before and decided to just run it in at a pace that would allow me to somewhat enjoy the experience. I can't say I did enjoy the experience even doing that. I felt horrible.

Cleveland 2011(2:31.59) Another great buildup that maybe went a month too long. Again by race day I was sort of worn down and not really feeling fresh. The fact that I was running in 3rd(in the $$$) helped me tough it out and finish better then I felt. I think a month earlier and I could have been closer to that goal time frame I have set of 2:25. Some bad calf cramping late in this race cost me at least getting a PR but I really wanted much more then a PR.

Marshall 2011 (DNF) Still not sure what happened. Leaning towards race week nutrition and race day fueling. I think I cut back my food intake too much the last week with the taper. I felt weak on race morning but thought it was just nerves. My clothes felt extra loose that morning and I looked horrible. I just wanted to be as light as I could be and maybe took it a step too far. Crashing after 20miles happens(although you hope it won't) but starting the signs of a bonk at 13 shows something was wrong.

MB 2012 (???) Time will tell...