This was such a cool marathon! My day started early, as I had to drive to the finish line in Cleveland, park the car, and take a train out to the marathon starting line with the rest of the marathoners. This was the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic railroad train, an old train. I had never been on a real "choo choo train before
The weather was cold, windy and rainy yesterday so I was worried about what to wear - I hate cold. The weather was a little better today and thanks to Kimba's last minute advice, I was dressed just right. I shed my outer layer of flannel pajamas (works great, btw) and headed to the start.
My goal was to go sub 4:00, but I had heard that the crushed limestone trail, while soft would slow me down about 10-15 minutes over the course.
So, I decided to just go out and see where my splits were.
The route was just amazing - there were 500 runners from all over the country doing this race and I can see why they came. Most of the course was on the towpath next to a river through a national park. The first 10 miles chugged away and I was hitting right around 9's.
At mile 11 my right IT band, which has been nagging me all year, decided to make it's presence known. c**p Here's where I'm kind of pleased with myself. I held it together, changed my stride and just kept going (I was, I believe, swearing to myself that I would never do this again, ever...) At mile 20, for some unknown reason, the pain pretty much went away :wiggle: and I was able to pick it up a bit and finish strong. Final time 4:02:39 Plus, there were massage therapists at the finish line that took you right away and iced and worked out the kinks - John the Massage Therapist I think I love you!!!
I am consistent if nothing else- all of my marathon's have been between 4:00 and 4:05 :P I'm pleased with my effort in this race. My other two goals were:
not to hurl at the finish - check
feel well enough to drink a beer at the beer tent - check
It was a great day - I give this marathon 5 stars!
The weather was cold, windy and rainy yesterday so I was worried about what to wear - I hate cold. The weather was a little better today and thanks to Kimba's last minute advice, I was dressed just right. I shed my outer layer of flannel pajamas (works great, btw) and headed to the start.
My goal was to go sub 4:00, but I had heard that the crushed limestone trail, while soft would slow me down about 10-15 minutes over the course.
So, I decided to just go out and see where my splits were.
The route was just amazing - there were 500 runners from all over the country doing this race and I can see why they came. Most of the course was on the towpath next to a river through a national park. The first 10 miles chugged away and I was hitting right around 9's.
At mile 11 my right IT band, which has been nagging me all year, decided to make it's presence known. c**p Here's where I'm kind of pleased with myself. I held it together, changed my stride and just kept going (I was, I believe, swearing to myself that I would never do this again, ever...) At mile 20, for some unknown reason, the pain pretty much went away :wiggle: and I was able to pick it up a bit and finish strong. Final time 4:02:39 Plus, there were massage therapists at the finish line that took you right away and iced and worked out the kinks - John the Massage Therapist I think I love you!!!
I am consistent if nothing else- all of my marathon's have been between 4:00 and 4:05 :P I'm pleased with my effort in this race. My other two goals were:
not to hurl at the finish - check
feel well enough to drink a beer at the beer tent - check
It was a great day - I give this marathon 5 stars!
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:cheers: Hurray, Sarah!!!
I'm already regretting not running this. With the horrible weather Saturday, who knew Sunday would be such a nice day!!
I never thought about the limestone trail being slower, that's interesting. How did the trail drain with all that rain?
The path must have been beautiful with all the leaf colors right now.
Excellent results, especially with the post-race massage!!
I'm already regretting not running this. With the horrible weather Saturday, who knew Sunday would be such a nice day!!
I never thought about the limestone trail being slower, that's interesting. How did the trail drain with all that rain?
The path must have been beautiful with all the leaf colors right now.
Excellent results, especially with the post-race massage!!
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Congrats!! Very impressive performance considering IT issues AND the possible slow down of the limestone! Great race! :banana:
And have another on me! :cheers:
And have another on me! :cheers:
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Just checked out the webpage, looks like a great course. Nice time and holding it together!
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congratulations on your 4:02 marathon roughausen! sounds like a tough but beautiful run, great strong finish for you :thumbsup:
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Nice job Sarah! I love running on the towpath and think that 'thon would be an excellent one to run.
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Congrats!
Do you think that the path added extra minutes? if so, you "regular" marathon time is shrinking!
Do you think that the path added extra minutes? if so, you "regular" marathon time is shrinking!
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Nice job with the marathon. Almost hit the time goal and you got all the rest and if the limestone is 10 minute slow down...
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Not feeling too badly today - I took the day off of work, so as I always say, anything beats a good day in the office :P .
The limestone trail was wet and packed, I don't think it was a slow down at all, in fact I think it is a pretty fast course. The trails I normally train on are a lot rougher. Maybe when the trails are dry, they are "fluffier" and therefore slower?
If I can get this IT band issue sorted out, I'll be back next year to give it another shot (did I just say that 8O )
The limestone trail was wet and packed, I don't think it was a slow down at all, in fact I think it is a pretty fast course. The trails I normally train on are a lot rougher. Maybe when the trails are dry, they are "fluffier" and therefore slower?
If I can get this IT band issue sorted out, I'll be back next year to give it another shot (did I just say that 8O )
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