Question:
1.I am considering the 1st annual DC. marathon, it is 3/24/02. I keep pushing
back the target race. this race is freakin expensive, $85 to run 26.2 but I
guess it is not gonna kill me. The organizer explains on the race web site
that 5 different police departments were needed to man the course as it
winds through MD, VA, DC and??? I am not sure what two other jurisdictions.
He goes on to say this race does not have the benefit of free marine labor
like the other DC offering.
Aside from all that it seems like a good race. the weather should be low of
40 high of 60 or so & the race coincides with the start of cherry blossom
season so the crowd support should be there.
I just talked myself into it! Anybody else?
2.Months ago I signed up for the DC marathon (March 23) to run as my first
marathon. Training started out well. I slowly climbed up to long runs in the
15 mile range. Then for a variety of reasons (Holidays, getting food
poisoning one weekend, traveling over the weekend for work) I slowly got out
of doing my long runs. The past couple of weeks I was sort of resigned to
the fact that I probably wouldn't be able to run it.
Then today I ran a half marathon in Williamsburg. I finished in 1:59:33 and
really felt pretty good. Granted, I was fairly dead at the end, but I think
that's because I was pushing it quite a bit both at the beginning and the
end. In any event, the race re-energized and re-inspired me.
My question is this. Can I still run the D.C. marathon? I figure that if I
decide to do it I will have to do a 20 mile run next week and then start
tapering. With only a couple 15 mile runs under my belt, will I be complete
toast during the race? Or can I take solace in the fact that I completed a
half-marathon fairly successfully (in my book) and just anticipate lots of
pain on race day?
I would like to run it, but I don't want it to be a horrible experience that
will cause me never to run another again. Any thoughts on this? I know the
preparation has not been ideal, but I'm wondering if I can still pull it
out. Any thoughts?
Answer:1.The starts in race never leaves DC (the other end of the Memorial Bridge
is on Columbia Island, which is still in the district). However, note that
you've got a lot of agencies in DC to deal with in addition to the MPD
(Park Police, Capitol Police, Secret Service, MDW ...).
Anyhow, I'll be there. I'm about a month into their training program now.
1.I'm hoping to be able to do this race. My "A" race for the early part of
'02 is Las Vegas Marathon, depending on how I feel after LV I'l get serious
about DC. Its as good an excuse as any to fly east and visit my son and
grandkids.
2.Well my runs during the week have been sporadic. There are weeks where I
get a good 3 runs in and then a long run on the weekends, and then there
are weeks when I only do a long run (10+ miles). Unfortunately my job
requires some long hours and not very consistent hours to boot, so it's
tough to get the runs in (unless I start waking up early to do them which
I'm trying to avoid).
I think the big test will be this weekend. If I do complete the 20 mile
run and feel good I might go for it - I think this weekend is key.
2.Sure you can finish it. Chances that it will be a horrible experience
are up to you. Finishing marathons are all about how much experience
you have. Everyone has to start somewhere.
For you, based on what you've done to date, it will not be easy. If
you go out at a conservative pace, slower than the half marathon,
chances are you'll have enough in your tank to finish. If the going is
getting too difficult for you bail out. Keep in mind the amount of
training you've done and take it easy, relax and enjoy the
sightseeing. Find a companion to run with to help you along.
Keep in mind that your recovery will be a bit more unpleasant than
those fully trained. Training also prepares your body to deal with a
marathon you just haven't given your body enough of that experience
for recovering quickly.
