Today I finished my third marathon in Victoria, BC. I was trying for a time of 4:00 for a BQ, but it was not to be; I finished in a time of 4:07, so just over the time of my second marathon. In short, I had some bad calf cramping issues starting at around 25k, but was still able to hold onto my pace till about 35k-- and then the wheels fell off.
I can't say I'm not disappointed, but I'm still very happy to have finished. Any day I can finish 42.2k is a good day. I really enjoyed the whole experience; I talked to some great people out there on the course, and learned a lot about myself.
I will write a full report and post it Tuesday. Thanks to all my good friends, family, and new on-line friends for your endless support and encouragement. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me.
Congratulations Jennifer on a great effort. Don't be too dissapointed about your time. Your BQ will come! Can't wait to hear more about your experience.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jennifer! My two cents is that Victoria is a very difficult course to BQ on. It's very hilly. Perhaps give Kelowna a shot next time - it is known as one of the flattest courses in Canada. That said, Regina was where I got my best time in part due to it's flatness.
ReplyDeleteCome out to Toronto and run a flat marathon for a change! I bet that 7 minutes would disappear!
ReplyDeleteRay!
Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteMark and Ray- I know it's a tough course but I thought I was in better shape this time. Two friends who have slower 10k and half-marathon times (who didn't train as hard but progressed really) well did just under four hours. Maybe I just need a different training style- or I'm just better suited for shorter distances. Who knows- I'll write more Tuesday.
Sounds like it just wasn't your day. You've been training hard, and putting in the miles. Don't let this one race put a damper on anything.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dale. I'm still pretty happy. Just need to reevaluate goals and training a bit.
ReplyDeleteGood race Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteThere's a very good chance that your best distance isn't the marathon, but it's more likely that you just need more practice learning how to run a good marathon (as opposed to simply training for one). You'll get there.
Hey again, Jennifer. One thing I will say is that I had a helluva time getting away from my four hour standard until I radically increased my mileage. After I did that, I hit a 3:38 on a hillier course than Victoria, and a 3:30 in flat Regina. Lots of miles (60 to 80mpw) really did it for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Adeel. :)
ReplyDeleteMark- my mileage peaked at 90k/week with several over 75... Not sure i want to invest that much more time if that's what it takes. Like I said- I have friends that have the same or less short distance speed, trained less, yet they fared better. So I have to figure out the right combination for me. If I decide to keep at this marathoning thing.
Sounds like you just had a bad day with the calf cramping. You'll get your 4 hour goal one of these times.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and sorry you didn't make your goal to BQ...I can relate. There's always the next one though. I'm sure it's just around the corner for you! I agree with your comment above, about finding the right comibnation of training that works for you.
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