Angry Joe, (AJ) How did Chicago go for you?
Angry Joe, (AJ) How did Chicago go for you?
Hey Patti -
Good to hear from you. I posted a full report in the 70s-80s thread:
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=8434724&page=15
Here it is:
The race was not quite as fast I had hoped but overall it went well and I have no complaints. Negative split 1:23:07, 1:22:07 for 2:45:14. My second best marathon time and only my second negative split.
As for the details -- I had planned to go out in 6:30ish for the first mile and then settle in pretty quickly to the 6:10-6:15 range. Fortunately I've learned the hard way to pay more attention to feel than the watch. As a result I ended up being a little slow out of the gate averaging 6:34 for the first 5k. Next 5k was still a little slow in 6:22 avg. After that I was locked into 6:15 through half and feeling great. Got high fives from my family just before halfway and somebody was blaring Don't Stop Believing by Journey on the loud speakers. The result was a 6:05 for mile 14. After getting my emotions in check I focused on staying relaxed and lengthening my stride just a touch. Was hitting around 6:10 through about mile 19 when finally the miles started to take their toll. It was also starting to get warm (sunny and mid to upper 60s). My legs felt fine the whole way and never cramped, but I just gradually started to fade. 30-35K was 6:14 avg (ok). 35-40k was 6:29 (ouch). Coming up Michigan Avenue I made one last push trying to dip under 2:45. My last 2k was 6:13 avg so I did have a little left in the tank. Just missed sub 2:45 but it was still a pretty solid effort. Frankly I was very worried about how my strained calf would hold up and was just happy to run without pain for the first time in over a month.
So, I've now run 6 straight marathons in the 2:40s -- 2:49, 46, 42, 47, 47, 45. Not sure if I've reached my ceiling, if I should try a new approach, or if I should just keep chipping away. Next marathon is Boston 2018. With a full time job I don't think I can run any more miles. I do think I could race more often, do more hill work, and get a little luckier with the weather.
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