It only took 6 years, but I finally ran my first "road" marathon. I couldn't think of a better marathon for me to run than Peak to Creek, a mostly gravel, scenic route through the Pisgah National Forest in the mountains of North Carolina. I've been eying this one for quite awhile and finally decided to attempt it this year. This would also be the first marathon for my brother in law, Tom.
The day came quickly and I was feeling a little nervous about achieving my original goal of sub 3:05, especially since training wasn't ideal. Therefore I made a secondary goal of at least running under 3:20, but would still make an effort for the 3:05, reassessing that goal during the run as to what felt comfortable.
Hannah dropped Tom and I off at the start to a clear, but extremely chilly morning. It wasn't long before we were off, everyone trying to warm up as we traveled the winding paved road through beautiful multicolored views of the high mountains and hills of western North Carolina. I bumped into a few friends and acquaintances while trying to hit the planned 7:25 pace on this first 6 mile section. There is a spot on this section that opens up to grand views of the Roan Highlands and I couldn't help but think that is where I should be, high up on the AT. I snapped back to the race at hand though and realized that at least I was on the most beautiful road marathon I could think of and was about to hit gravel for the most of the remaining 20 miles, just another reason why I chose this marathon over others.
I hit the gravel road at mile 6 right on pace schedule. I decided to try and stay relaxed for the first 2 miles down to the first aid station where I would drop my extra shirt and ear warmers, but hoped to stay on the targeted pace of 6:45 for this long 9 mile downhill section. I ended up hitting the aid station 1 minute behind, but wasn't too worried. I began to pick up the effort a little to try and sneak it in under the 7 minute mark. I felt like I was running fairly quickly, but by the time I hit the half marathon mark I was already 4 minutes behind planned pace. I don't really know how this happened, but my hamstrings were beginning to start feeling tight, so I decided to abandon the 3:05 goal and switched to trying to go under 3:15.
I made it the turnaround in Edgemont at the bottom of the hill with 10.5 miles to go and plenty of time to reach the goal 3:15 if I could average 7:30 for the last 10 miles of this flat section. I began picking off runners over the first 3 miles of this section and was hitting or going under 7:30 for each mile and it felt comfortable. But around mile 19 my stomach started to feel off and I believe that started my slow down in pace. I wasn't exactly sure of my splits during this section, but it felt very long between each mile marker. I tried to hold off the inevitable pit stop for as long as I could, but somewhere around mile 23 I could wait no longer.
The stop cost me about 3 minutes. As soon as I was back on course, I picked up the pace to try and make up some of the time and not having to worry about my stomach, it felt a lot easier to go faster. I started passing many of the runners that had gotten in front of me during my pit stop, but the miles were still seeming to come very slowly. Near the end the goal of 3:15 was looking unlikely, but I kept pushing to squeeze under the minimum goal of 3:20.
Soon the surface changed back to asphalt and I spotted Hannah and Michael cheering me on. I was near the finish and I picked it up some more. Then at the entrance of the campground loop I saw Mad A! That really got me pumped to bring it in strong as I was not expecting him to be there at all. I made it past the turn to head back to finish and saw someone in front of me and couldn't help but try and reel him in before the finish, so I picked it up even more. I got by him with about 100 yards to go and crossed the finish line in 3:18:35. I was spent and just stopped as I stepped down on the finish mat.
I am very happy with my time, although I still think of what could have been if training would have been better and if I could solve my stomach issues during runs. I gave it the best I had on the day though and still came in under my minimum goal. Tom really killed it as he ran his first marathon ever in 3:29:08!
I will say this as a final note. Road marathons freakin' hurt!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Peak to Creek Training Week 3
Mon - off
Tues - 41min/ 3.6m/ 1000' - SOMO - Went out to attempt a 9 miler with a long downhill to work on some turnover, but the achilles was like "uh, NO!" Therefore I turned back early and took it home to not further an injury that may be occurring. Soaked in the river for a few minutes as well in hopes the cold water would help.
Wed - off - XC meet took up almost all of my evening. At least we won!
Thurs - 43min/ 4.9m/ 500' - DART - Got some new shoes in the mail specifically for work, but thought "hey, lets go run in these minimus zero trails with a bum achilles. That sounds like a great idea!" So as both my calves were now screaming at me saying, "You #*@$ing idiot!" I turned back a bit short as to try and not push it anymore and walked a bit. Wow, am I dumb.
Fri - 34min/ 3.2m/ 200' - Latta - Another nice a mellow run with the XC kids. I wore a proper pair of shoes today and my achilles thanked me.
Sat - 3hr30min/ 17m/ 3700' - Tour de Doughton - Meet up with Phyllis and Allen for this beautiful loop in Doughton Park north of Wilkesboro. We couldn't have picked a better morning to run, as the temps started around 60 and never got hotter than 75. Fall is definitely back in the air in the mountains at least. I have done this loop once before a few years back, but I forgot how gorgeous it actually is. Phyllis and I kept it relaxed most of the day, dodged and ran into a ton of spider webs, and I properly got smoked on the climb back up to the car. Dang, Phyllis can climb and make it look easy. I should definitely get out there more often. Even with that big loop, there is still about an extra 15 miles of trail in the park that I've yet to set foot on.
Sun - 1hr45min/ 10.6m/ 1000' - Grey Rd/ Fisher Farm - Met up with Dave this morning to get in 10 miles and to catch up on some lost training due to the achilles issue this week. I started out feeling ok, but by the time we hit the trails in Fisher Farm, my body started to give out. I had zero energy left and the hills of Abersham and Grey Rd were killing me. I ended up walking quite a bit, but still made it through for a very slow run. Was thankful that Dave stayed back with me despite my slow pace today.
Total =
Time - 7hrs13min
Miles - 39.3
Vert - 6400'
Well, running 50 miles last week really bit me in the butt. I did too much, too soon and paid the price this week. Luckily, my body and achilles had recovered enough to still make it out to Doughton Park for a beautiful run. Hopefully the body has adjusted now to higher mileage and I can get back to strictly following my training plan. Pics of the Doughton Park run below.
Tues - 41min/ 3.6m/ 1000' - SOMO - Went out to attempt a 9 miler with a long downhill to work on some turnover, but the achilles was like "uh, NO!" Therefore I turned back early and took it home to not further an injury that may be occurring. Soaked in the river for a few minutes as well in hopes the cold water would help.
Wed - off - XC meet took up almost all of my evening. At least we won!
Thurs - 43min/ 4.9m/ 500' - DART - Got some new shoes in the mail specifically for work, but thought "hey, lets go run in these minimus zero trails with a bum achilles. That sounds like a great idea!" So as both my calves were now screaming at me saying, "You #*@$ing idiot!" I turned back a bit short as to try and not push it anymore and walked a bit. Wow, am I dumb.
Fri - 34min/ 3.2m/ 200' - Latta - Another nice a mellow run with the XC kids. I wore a proper pair of shoes today and my achilles thanked me.
Sat - 3hr30min/ 17m/ 3700' - Tour de Doughton - Meet up with Phyllis and Allen for this beautiful loop in Doughton Park north of Wilkesboro. We couldn't have picked a better morning to run, as the temps started around 60 and never got hotter than 75. Fall is definitely back in the air in the mountains at least. I have done this loop once before a few years back, but I forgot how gorgeous it actually is. Phyllis and I kept it relaxed most of the day, dodged and ran into a ton of spider webs, and I properly got smoked on the climb back up to the car. Dang, Phyllis can climb and make it look easy. I should definitely get out there more often. Even with that big loop, there is still about an extra 15 miles of trail in the park that I've yet to set foot on.
Sun - 1hr45min/ 10.6m/ 1000' - Grey Rd/ Fisher Farm - Met up with Dave this morning to get in 10 miles and to catch up on some lost training due to the achilles issue this week. I started out feeling ok, but by the time we hit the trails in Fisher Farm, my body started to give out. I had zero energy left and the hills of Abersham and Grey Rd were killing me. I ended up walking quite a bit, but still made it through for a very slow run. Was thankful that Dave stayed back with me despite my slow pace today.
Total =
Time - 7hrs13min
Miles - 39.3
Vert - 6400'
Well, running 50 miles last week really bit me in the butt. I did too much, too soon and paid the price this week. Luckily, my body and achilles had recovered enough to still make it out to Doughton Park for a beautiful run. Hopefully the body has adjusted now to higher mileage and I can get back to strictly following my training plan. Pics of the Doughton Park run below.
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| The start Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
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| One of many of my spider web shields Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
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| Running down Bluff Mtn Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
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| Tree at the top of the mtn Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
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| Beautiful bald on top of Bluff Mtn Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
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| Phyllis cruising on the MST Photo: Me |
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| Talkin' with the ranger at Brinegar Cabin Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
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| The climb up Flat Rock Trail Photo: Phyllis Tsang |
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Peak to Creek Training Week 1 & 2
Week 1
Mon - 63min/ 7m/ 900' - Riverbend Park - Met up with Jose and let him drag up and down every hill in this park. Great place to run, but definitely feeling out of shape.
Tues - off
Wed - 59min/ 7m/ 700' - Hickory City Park - First downhill X2 workout in preparation for the downhill of Peak to Creek. Jose met up with me again for this one. I took the first 1.5 mile downhill greenway repeat in 9:15 and the second one in 9:45. Still feeling very much out of shape.
Thurs - 43min/ 5.1m/ 500' - DART - Felt slow, but ended up faster than expected so that was good.
Fri - 34min/3.8min/ 200' - Latta - long run for the ms XC kiddos. Good first optional practice for them.
Sat - 105min/ 12m/ 1200' - Lake Norman State Park - Tom and I hit up some trails that were covered in spider webs, which made running fun for a bit until we decided to flip it (which was a great idea). My body felt good and I felt somewhat in shape.
Sun - 34min/ 4m/ 400' - Davidson XC - Tom and I got out for a few miles after a long day of golf earlier.
Totals =
Time - 5hrs36min
Miles - 38.9
Vert - 4000'
Week 2
Mon - off - successful first meet for the XC team
Tues - 70min/ 7.5m/ 1600' - SOMO - Great run out at South Mountains. Headed up past the falls and then came down Shinny. Great loop with lots of eye candy.
Wed - 49min/ 5.9m/ 400 - Jacob Fork Park - First fartlek workout of the training plan and it was hot! Felt really slow, but tried to keep the pace up on the 1min hard sections. Imagine that those were all around 6:50 pace. Which is to slow, but it was hot!
Thurs - 51min/ 6.3m/ 600' - DART - We all did a prediction run for beer today and thankfully I didn't lose. I ended up being 30 seconds off my predicted time but Matt nailed it with being 6 seconds off.
Fri - 38min/ 3.8m/ 200' - Latta - Another good optional XC practice for the team. Kept it slow due to the 90 degree heat with them.
Sat - 4hrs45min/ 22m/ 4000' - Dupont Waterfall Bonanza - Great run with the Pisgah Nation, but I wasn't prepared physically or mentally. On the hole it was a great run with great friends and sweet waterfalls. I felt slow all day, but was feeling pretty beat up from the week. First real long run in a long while though, which is good.
Sun - 53min/ 4.8m/ 1500' - Linville Gorge - Had a great easy run up to the tops of both Hawksbil and Sitting Bear after a great round of golf earlier.
Totals=
Time - 9hrs5min/
Miles - 50.3
Vert - 8300'
Well after the first two weeks of training, I'm feeling pretty good but am hoping the speed will return soon as I will need it for Peak to Creek coming up soon. We will see how this weeks speedwork goes. My legs feel pretty good after this weeks heavy mileage so that is good.
Mon - 63min/ 7m/ 900' - Riverbend Park - Met up with Jose and let him drag up and down every hill in this park. Great place to run, but definitely feeling out of shape.
Tues - off
Wed - 59min/ 7m/ 700' - Hickory City Park - First downhill X2 workout in preparation for the downhill of Peak to Creek. Jose met up with me again for this one. I took the first 1.5 mile downhill greenway repeat in 9:15 and the second one in 9:45. Still feeling very much out of shape.
Thurs - 43min/ 5.1m/ 500' - DART - Felt slow, but ended up faster than expected so that was good.
Fri - 34min/3.8min/ 200' - Latta - long run for the ms XC kiddos. Good first optional practice for them.
Sat - 105min/ 12m/ 1200' - Lake Norman State Park - Tom and I hit up some trails that were covered in spider webs, which made running fun for a bit until we decided to flip it (which was a great idea). My body felt good and I felt somewhat in shape.
Sun - 34min/ 4m/ 400' - Davidson XC - Tom and I got out for a few miles after a long day of golf earlier.
Totals =
Time - 5hrs36min
Miles - 38.9
Vert - 4000'
Week 2
Mon - off - successful first meet for the XC team
Tues - 70min/ 7.5m/ 1600' - SOMO - Great run out at South Mountains. Headed up past the falls and then came down Shinny. Great loop with lots of eye candy.
Wed - 49min/ 5.9m/ 400 - Jacob Fork Park - First fartlek workout of the training plan and it was hot! Felt really slow, but tried to keep the pace up on the 1min hard sections. Imagine that those were all around 6:50 pace. Which is to slow, but it was hot!
Thurs - 51min/ 6.3m/ 600' - DART - We all did a prediction run for beer today and thankfully I didn't lose. I ended up being 30 seconds off my predicted time but Matt nailed it with being 6 seconds off.
Fri - 38min/ 3.8m/ 200' - Latta - Another good optional XC practice for the team. Kept it slow due to the 90 degree heat with them.
Sat - 4hrs45min/ 22m/ 4000' - Dupont Waterfall Bonanza - Great run with the Pisgah Nation, but I wasn't prepared physically or mentally. On the hole it was a great run with great friends and sweet waterfalls. I felt slow all day, but was feeling pretty beat up from the week. First real long run in a long while though, which is good.
Sun - 53min/ 4.8m/ 1500' - Linville Gorge - Had a great easy run up to the tops of both Hawksbil and Sitting Bear after a great round of golf earlier.
Totals=
Time - 9hrs5min/
Miles - 50.3
Vert - 8300'
Well after the first two weeks of training, I'm feeling pretty good but am hoping the speed will return soon as I will need it for Peak to Creek coming up soon. We will see how this weeks speedwork goes. My legs feel pretty good after this weeks heavy mileage so that is good.
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