Like many people I ran my first marathon in NYC yesterday. While the time is not remarkable (3:51:xx) the story behind it is a little less usual.
I'm a non runner who after seeing the NYCM in 08 decided to start running. Was 187lbs for 5'7. Fast forward to 2010 and I'm 145lbs with a 19:22 5k and 1:33 half marathon (NYC half in march). Started training for the marathon (base of 30mpw I know it's low) and was sidelined in August after my first 40mi week.
Had a bakers cyst that burst and inflamed all the back of my knee. Was off for 7 weeks...not running until 3 weeks ago. I started back with 1 mile to 2 mile a day, after a week I tried 3, 4 then 6. Finally a week ago on my 4th "real" run did 10, felt fine and decided to go for the NYCM anyway. I had wanted it so bad and had gotten last yr in training too (AT).
So my last 20 miler was 14 months ago and my last long run was 16 mile in August. With 2.5 months of no training I didn't know what to expect.
I wanted to at least break 4:00 (I had been training to go for sub 3:20 based on 1:33 1/2) but felt a sweet spot in 8:20-8:30s and kept going. My legs hated it from mile 3 but cardiovascular wise it was easy). Leg pain was throughout but somehow subsided during mile 16-20. At mile 20 I was on target for 3:44 and tried to pick it up but I lasted about a quarter mile at 8 flat...by mile 22 I started to feel the pain and at mile 23(all uphill on fifth ave) I was cramping and had to briefly stop to stretch (but never walked a step, I wanted to run even if that means shuffling). Mile 23-25 were very hard and I was concentrating to minimize cramping. After mile 25 I was fine again and closed the last 400 in under 8 min pace!
I was very happy to finish without hitting a huge wall (besides muscles aches) and all I can say is that I was just very undertrained (obv).
Now I'm not sure what to think. Is that 3:51 marathon respectable given the conditions? Should I have tried to go in 3:30? (probably not). It is my impression that I lost about 90 sec/mile due to lack of training and I hope it will come back. Right now I'm questioning a lot whether this experienced proved I have a certain talent (for normal people) for long distance or if I should feel ashamed and focus on 5-10k.
I am under the impression that I may be good at this but on the other hand I know the training will kill me for as long as I can't handle regular 50+ mile weeks.
Please let me know your thoughts on this first marathon. I'm not sure why I'm questioning if running 3:51 in this condition is any better than 3:20 properly trained but anyway, I am just new to this marathon thing and unable to draw conclusions from this 1st (other than anything past 22mile hurts a lot when you don't run long!)
Cheers and looking forward to advice. Please minimize bashing!