I really want to thank everyone for their support during my training for the marathon and for helping me raise money for Lungevity in memory of my mom. It means a great deal to have that support behind you when you are trying to do something like this. Also thanks to Team Philly for the training advice and runs. Nothing beats having people to run with on a particularly hard run. You turn to the person next to you and say thanks for pushing me and they turn back and say I thought you were pushing me. The one exception was running with Paul who always kicked my butt, trying my best to keep up. For those interested in doing something similar, join a training group. You can start from nothing and meet your goal of 10 or 13.1 miles at the end. Just ask Mahnia! Broad street training sign up is already open at meetup.com/teamphilly
So before I get to the run down of the marathon, please dont take my thoughts on my finish time as something I am depressed about. While I am a little disappointed in my time I am very proud that I finished my first marathon and raised over $1600 for Lungevity.
So since Monday I have had some soreness and stiffness in my legs at the end of the taper period. I did some light runs which I thought had helped loosen them up a little bit. I thought they would be fine by the time the marathon rolled around. I really just thought it was normal taper aches and pains.
I got to the marathon a little on the late side so I didnt get to meet up with people as originally planned. It was FREEZING as I was getting in my car and I immediately started rethinking what I was wearing. I had a short sleeve shirt with 2 long sleeve running shirts and a throw away sweater on top and shorts/gloves/hat. But once the sun started coming up it wasnt too bad. Made my way to the corrals and they had teenagers holding the corral signs and they had no idea where they were supposed to be. I never saw the pacing group I was supposed to run with or Hong Mei who I was supposed to meet up with. I think I might have been in one corral too far back but I will never know for sure. Tossed the sweater in the donation pile, did some last minute stretching, and turned on my music. Finally 15 minutes after the official start time we moved towards the start line. I thought to myself: Wow I am actually running a marathon. Dont start too fast, and relax! As we started heading down the parkway it was a bit crowded which definitely kept me from going too fast. The plan was to run around 8:40-8:45 pace, speed up on the downhills and take my time on the big hills. I felt a little stiff right from the start but figured that would work its way out as I went. We crossed across the city to my neighborhood and recognized a few of my neighbors standing and watching.
Around mile 4 I noticed my knees started bothering me. I usually get some soreness prior to mile 5 and then my legs give in and I feel fine. But mile 5 and 6 the pain lingered and I started wondering if I was going to finish at all. Its only mile 6 and Im already in pain! I pushed on and kept my pace up and finally at mile 8 the pain subsided. Just in time for the big hills around mile 9, going up 34th street up to the zoo. Then a nice downhill before the next big hill up to the Please Touch Museum. Still felt good and I knew the big downhill was coming up. Took the downhill with some speed and it felt easy and comfortable. My pace was down to 8:37 because of the downhills, despite the hills earlier.
Came around West river drive to the museum where the half marathoner were finishing up. I looked at them with a bit of jealousy that they were done and I was only at the halfway point. As I passed the 13.1 mark my legs started getting sore again. Was able to keep my pace at the slower end of my goal pace for a while. At mile 16 the pain became a real problem instead of just a nuisance. I HAD to stop. Istretched my legs out and watched as my legs were spasming and realized that was the true issue and not some internal knee injury. Felt a little better and moved on, hoping the relief would last. Made it to mile 19 and the pain was worsening and more constant, stopped to stretch again but immediately upon starting again it still hurt - small goals in mind - just make it to Manyunk (jaime will be pissed if she drove down and I dont run past her!). As I run to manyunk I see Jaime and Michelle standing on their own, they start making noise and cheering. I smile and briefly forget about the pain in my legs. But quickly they are out of sight and my focus is back on the excruciating pain in my legs. I made a deal just go 1 mile and then I could stretch again.
I approach mile 21 and realize that this is the longest run I have ever done at this point. Thats an accomplishment right there! The max in training is 20 miles. I continue to stretch about every 1 mile.
As I hit mile 23, my leg pain becomes unbearable and I feel as if I cant physically take another step. I stop and stretch, trying walking a bit but it almost felt worse after stopping. I can barely walk and I just want to give up. Each time this thought crosses my mind I think of all the tougher things other people have had to go through. I think of the story of Matt Long (NYC fire fighter who ran the marathon after almost dying in an accident, left with a severe limp). I think of Mahnia running the half marathon who started the training process with 0 miles under her belt. I think of my mom struggling thru chemo/radiation - and then have to refocus before I start getting too emotional. Its a 5k left, I can NOT stop here, I made it this far. Small goals- make it to mile 24. I walk and then jog to mile 24 and stop one more time to stretch. I regret the decision to stop almost immediately. Stopping made the pain MUCH worse, I can barely walk now. Stretched and stretched, gotta finish. No more stopping. 2.2 miles left. I keep looking at my GPS watch, watching small increment pass by.
Mile 25 I see Kimiko and Sarah cheering and waving. Perfect timing for a little emotional boost to make it the last 1.2 miles. The crowds become much thicker. Everyone is yelling your name as you pass by (our names are on our race bib). They yell "looking good michael" ...and I think yeah right! Im doing it but I am NOT looking good! ;) Finally I can see the finish line and I just dont know how my legs are still running. I pass the finish line and get handed my metallic blanket and run into 2 other Team philly people immediately. I feel myself getting choked up, I can barely talk, barely walk, but I finished! I get in line for food and run into Mahnia who is smiling ear to ear after finishing her half marathon. And she finished under 4hr. Awesome job!
Post-race, we went to meet up with Team Philly and had a burger/fries. I could not get myself to drink the free beer tho. Went home and took an ice bath - how I hate these! And then limped down my spiral staircase and almost cried when I realized I had to walk my dog! Relaxed the rest of the day, continued icing. And after rest last night I actually feel much better. A little sore but I can walk without limping and going up/down the stairs is no longer an ordeal.
So I cant help but think what I could have done different. The frustrating part of my marathon experience is usually the rate limiting factor for me is breathing/pace/tired and that was not my problem. I never felt tired throughout the whole marathon, it was just pain. I apparently did the carbo-loading right (cannolis and tiramisu!) because I never bonked from being tired. I anticipated the "wall" to be a tired/lack of energy feeling, but my personal wall was pain this time around.
Advice to myself for next year : maybe a leg massage the week before if the legs are sore/tight. More stretching the week before. And stick with the cannolis and tiramisu! Will also have my max run longer then 20. But dont think that was really the problem since the pain started way earlier then my max run.
Want to hear something really funny? I cant wait to go running again! I have to wait a couple weeks before I can, but surfing in Brazil will definitely distract me!
If you want to run Broad street with me - let me know. Will probably plan another marathon for sometime in the spring! Thanks again everyone! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
So it was my IT band that was causing all the pain. Finally got my post-marathon massage today and I almost screamed when my IT band got massaged. Now I know. Makes sense that it started hurting much more after the hills!
Posted by: Mfiorito87 | 11/23/2010 at 10:21 PM