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Sunday, January 20, 2013

Louisiana Marathon: David's first

Another beautiful finish festival at LA marathon
Well, I pretty much got eaten up by jealousy this weekend watching runners complete The Louisiana Marathon in beautiful weather on a fast and beautiful course. The temps were perfect (40's to low 60's), the sun was shining, and the breeze was light.
David and I got up at 4:00 am (bleah) and were in Baton Rouge by 6:00 so I could volunteer at gear check. Gear check was busy - the race starts at 7:00 - and somehow in the rush I didn't get time with David to tell him good luck and give him last minute advice. One thing about David: he is very good at doing as he is told. So I was hoping to give him last minute explicit instructions for race day that would stick in his mind. But after a quick kiss he disappeared and before I knew it I could hear the national anthem at the start.
It took us about an hour to organize all the bags, then I headed over to the finish to watch the half marathon winners. I went back to gear check for another hour, then got ready to watch the marathon winners. I was feeling uneasy as I watched the race. David never "hit the wall" in training, but I was worried he would today. I never gave him the "Don't go out too fast" talk and I was fretting that he was going to run out of fuel. After a little while I headed out on the course, deciding to meet him and run him in to the finish.
Running against traffic on the sidewalk was like a "This is your racing life" experience. Since I've run everything from a 4:08 to a 3:06, I've been in ALL of those shoes. I saw the faces marked with determination, the ones glazed over with fatigue, the ones clearly showing defeat. Been there, been there, been there! 
When I saw David at mile 23 and change, I knew immediately that he'd hit the wall. He was still on pace - actually, ahead of pace - but his face and slow, short steps told me the story. I ran with him, encouraging him. I kept an eye on his pace and it kept creeping up, but he was still on pace overall. Somewhere in the middle of mile 25, though, I was losing him! We were on a long gradual uphill and he was running 10:30 pace. Quick math told me that if he kept this pace up he would miss his goal by just seconds. "Look," I told him, "If you want this, you have to work for it. This is where it counts. Hit the gas pedal!'
And he did. I zipped ahead to watch him finish and he sprinted across the line in 3:39:08!

Am I proud of him? You bet! That's not so shabby for a first marathon!
The splits tell the tale:
Last fast mile. The mile before you hit the wall is always fast, as your body releases stored glycogen and you get a momentary boost.
First 22 miles: Started a little fast, got caught up with the 3:35 pace group, but felt great. 
1 8.08
2 8.05
3 8.00
4 7.52
5 8.08
6 7.57
7 8.08
8 8.14
9 8.07
10 8.05
11 7.58
12 8.00
13 7.55
14 8.07
15 8.05
16 7.58
17 8.00
18 7.57
19 8.08
20 8.07
21 8.03
22 7.57

23 8.23 Middle of mile 23? WALL. 
24 8.42
25 9.08
26 9.37


Yes, he started fast and hit the wall, but really I think this is a pretty well-run race for a first marathon. And the fact that he could push through for those last few miles and still make his goal is just impressive!

He says "There won't be a rematch", but I think he's got a 3:30 in there. What do you think? 

19 comments:

  1. Awesome job David! I've ran several marathons and I can never smooth my pace out like that - very impressive! I always love reading first marathon race reports - I'm sure crossing the finish line is something you'll never forget! Great job and great race! Congrats!

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  2. AWESOME!!!! Sounded like it was going to be a perfect day! Although I did think this year the women's times would be faster. I bet he will change his mind ;)

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    1. I know, lady...you would have placed for sure. That's always a little disheartening. But you will place in another race, another time!

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  3. Congrats to David! He did a great job and it sounds like a super fun day. :)

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  4. Most excellent. I am glad the Weather Gods smiled upon racers and spectators alike!

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  5. That's a spectacularly paced first marathon. Well done, David! And nice job, coach :)

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  6. fantastic time-envious of fast runners...as the pain is just over quicker. i have my first marathon on Friday...I just want to do it in under 5.00

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  7. What a great recap!! Congrats to him for pushing through the wall!

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  8. Wow! He's a great runner, but it sounds like he's got an amazing coach. :)

    Congratulations, David!

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  9. What the heck?! Wasnt he going for a sub-4? Haha. Maybe I am remembering wrong. Anyway, that is awesome!! Go David! An excellent first and I definitely think he has more in him. The first one - you just have to do one to know what it takes. Congrats!

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    1. Good memory! He was going for sub-4:00: but when I saw his rapid improvement this fall, I changed his goal. Actually, if he hadn't hurt his knee and gotten a bad cold, I would have knocked it down to 3:30.

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  10. Dooooo it, David!!! You smashed your sub 4. Now on to bigger better goals, like sub 3!!

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  11. Wow! That is an amazing time! Way to go, David! He should be very proud of himself and you should be super proud of him, too!

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  12. That's awesome--good for him! So glad you were able to get out there and encourage him on so that he could make his goal pace. Great supporter!

    My first marathon was a 3:39, too! (and back then that was BQ, making it extra special)

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  13. I'm surprised I missed you at the gear check. I ran the half and it was beautiful weather. Congrats to your husband on a great first marathon!

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  14. That's the culmination of a ton of hard work and determination. I'm so glad you were able to be there for support, too. What an awesome day for both of you! (sans hard-to-ignore jealousy, obviously)

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  15. congrats to David! what a fantastic time !

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