Tucson Marathon 2004

Congrats, Teresa. Too bad about the cold, but sounds like you did just fine,
BQ'ing and all.

Any Boston plans?

Mike C

Quoted message said:

From: Teresa Bippert-Plymate

Quoted message said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Where: Tucson, Arizona
When: Dec 5th
Weather: Cold and damp. Heavy rain the day before and after!
Finish time (chip): 3:53:36. Wanted to beat old PR of 3:49:41
URL: tucsonmarathon.com

I had hoped to PR. But I had several sources of trepidation(s).
The mileage was for the most part in, but I'd had a cold two
weeks ago and still had some lingering congestion in my chest,
and a nagging little pain under the left kneecap (I think from
the biking leg of the triathlon in October). But one can always
hope!

I'd trained to run about an 8:40 pace marathon, and so that's
what I wanted to shoot for. My previous fastest had been an
8:49 overall pace. But my ability to pace is still only so-so.

It had rained quite heavily the day before (they'd predicted
only partial clouds!) But it turned out to have been a good
thing, as the race ended up being between two wet systems. It's
pouring outside again today.

Anyway, when the alarm went off at 4:15, for the first time ever,
I heavily considered jumping back into bed. I'm usually all
excited and ready, but for some reason, I just didn't seem to
have the same level of excitement this year. But I did get out
of bed, dress in lots of layers, have my GrapeNuts and some
soymilk, and head up to the parking area (45 min drive). I parked,
sorted out the things to bring and the things to leave (weather
dependent) and headed to the bus line to catch my bus to the
start. I didn't like this bus, there was a strong smell of
unburned fuel which made me a little bus-sick. And for the, what,
third year in a row, the bus driver got lost looking for the
start area. Finally we got behind another lost bus and the two
of them found the route!

Our bus pulled in behind the line of them, and I jumped out to
hit the Porta-Potties. That accomplished, went back to find a
seat in a bus and stay warm until closer to the start. About 15
minutes before the start, I pulled off all the excess clothing,
stuffed it into the bag, and headed towrds the start line. I
deposited the bag, and went to the line and did a short jog out
to warm up a little. I got back just as the National Anthem was
starting, and stretched a bit (sorry to be so unpatriotic, but I
thought I needed a little stretch today).

I got into the fray about midway back, purposely, to keep my
start slow and easy. The race started, and we all basically
walked to the chip mat before the running started. The very first
part is dirt, but luckily has a high sand compositon so only a
bit mucky on the sides. Then onto pavement. I'm trying to keep
it slow, as I remember what happened last year when I went way
too fast too early on. The first mile comes at 8:58, nice and
easy. It feels like I'm going very slowly. The first mile is
up and down, the second is almost all down with a couple of
steep down portions. I run it too fast at 8:09. So I tell myself
to chill a little. My hands are getting hot, so I toss the old
socks I have on them. Later on, I'll wish I hadn't. Mile three
comes at 8:35. Good. Slightly fast, but it feels easy and it's
at least close to pace. NOw to try to hold that. Mile four is
slightly too fast again at 8:25. I lose the heavy sweatshirt I
bought at a thrift store yesterday.

Miles 5, 6, and 7 go fine. 8:32, 8:42, 8:17 (oops).And then it
starts getting colder!! My right hand starts hurting from the
cold. Wished I'd kept the socks. Mile 8-10 I'm cold. They come
at 8:38, 8:42, and 8:47. Then the sun peeks out, and it gets
warm enough, ahhh. Mile 11 I *have to* go pee. I finally find
a decent tree and duck behind. That mile is 9:18. Unfortunately
I had to go a bit off-course. Mile 12-14 are uneventful. I talk
to a fellow from Britain, working here for IBM. I expect to
see him go flying by me (he's a lot younger!) but it doesn't
happen. Miles 12-14 are 8:39, 8:45,8:42.

There's some slight uphill stretches along this part of the
course, so the pacing isn't so great. Mile 15 comes at 8:41,
16 at 8:45, 17 at 8:52, and 18 at 8:40. Then, during the last
part of 19, my hamstrings start to tighten up! Never had this
happen before, and I've been gu-ing and drinking sports drink
the whole way (in fact I actually could use to pee again).
I slow down some, with 19 at 9:04 and 20 at 10:01 (ouch). The
hams start getting a little better, and I try to pick it back
up. It's so hard to try going faster again! 21 comes at 9:35,
and 22 at 8:55. I have another bit of ham cramp in mile 23,
and it comes in at 9:47. Now my left middle toe is hurting.
I have a black toe there that's healing, I'm afraid it might
be experiencing a bit of a setback now the way it's hurting.
But the finish is so close! Let's just grit the teeth and
get to the line!!

Mile 24 comes in 9:36, and mile 25 in 9:20. I know for sure
I'm not making a PR time now. But I must get in under 4!!
Mile 26 is at 9:22, and the last bit an additional 1:44. I
can't much speed up at the end as the ham is still too tight.
(I realize I probably should have stopped and stretched it
long ago). But I'm done!!

I stop and let the chip remover people do their thing and
get my finisher's medal. And immediately hit the food and
water. First time I've been able to immediately start
grazing. Though I'm doing the usual "post-marathoner walk"
I realize my body seems better than it ever has before after
a marathon. Hmmmm, maybe getting up to 50mpw helps a lot!!

I get my bag back and put on a jacket, but I'm still starting
to get really cold. So I don't hang around for the awards
ceremony (I know I won't get anything) and head for the car's
nice hot heater. The drive was uneventful. After a nice hot
shower and lunch, I take stock. Somewhere along the way I
sprained my right ankle. Minor. My left black toe, despite
hurting like it did, didn't seem to sustain any further
damage. I tell it it's a weenie for hurting that much. The
hams are still tight, but no worse than the calves and quads.
In fact, I'm actually getting around BETTER than I ever have
after a marathon. And the coughing/congestion is BETTER now
too. The healing power of the Marathon?

I think perhaps, if I hadn't had the cold, and it hadn't been
so cold, I might have made my goal. I'm wondering if being
chilled during a part of the run might have had a hand in
the hams getting tight. But on the good side, the knee didn't
even so much as squeak. It's absolutely fine today! I'm actually
happy about it, though of course I'd have been happier had I
PR'ed. Oh, and despite being disappointed in my time, it was
still a Boston qualifier. The full results are not up yet, but
I do know I was 10th in my age group (F45-49). Here's the splits
again:

8:58
8:09
8:35
8:25
8:32
8:42
8:17
8:38
8:42
8:47
9:18 (pee break)
8:39
8:45
8:42
8:41
8:45
8:52
8:40
9:04 (hamstring tighness starts)
10:01 (worst of it)
9:35
8:55
9:47
9:36
9:20
9:22
1:44 = 3:53:36

But it's done! I've promised myself that I will NOT run for at
least a week. Oddly enough, though, I feel like I want to
already. (Don't worry, I won't). Next marathon, more 50mpw
weeks, more speedwork and stay AWAY from kids with colds! ;-)

Teresa in AZ

Hi Mike-
Thanks! I do sure want to some time. Last year we ended up going to
Germany in April and we're talking about Australia next spring....
But if we end up not going there, yes indeed! And there's always
next year, TM has me qualified for the next two.

Teresa in AZ

Mike Conway said:

Congrats, Teresa. Too bad about the cold, but sounds like you did just fine,
BQ'ing and all.

Any Boston plans?

Mike C

Quoted message said:

From: Teresa Bippert-Plymate

Quoted message said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Where: Tucson, Arizona
When: Dec 5th
Weather: Cold and damp. Heavy rain the day before and after!
Finish time (chip): 3:53:36. Wanted to beat old PR of 3:49:41
URL: tucsonmarathon.com

I had hoped to PR. But I had several sources of trepidation(s).
The mileage was for the most part in, but I'd had a cold two
weeks ago and still had some lingering congestion in my chest,
and a nagging little pain under the left kneecap (I think from
the biking leg of the triathlon in October). But one can always
hope!

I'd trained to run about an 8:40 pace marathon, and so that's
what I wanted to shoot for. My previous fastest had been an
8:49 overall pace. But my ability to pace is still only so-so.

It had rained quite heavily the day before (they'd predicted
only partial clouds!) But it turned out to have been a good
thing, as the race ended up being between two wet systems. It's
pouring outside again today.

Anyway, when the alarm went off at 4:15, for the first time ever,
I heavily considered jumping back into bed. I'm usually all
excited and ready, but for some reason, I just didn't seem to
have the same level of excitement this year. But I did get out
of bed, dress in lots of layers, have my GrapeNuts and some
soymilk, and head up to the parking area (45 min drive). I parked,
sorted out the things to bring and the things to leave (weather
dependent) and headed to the bus line to catch my bus to the
start. I didn't like this bus, there was a strong smell of
unburned fuel which made me a little bus-sick. And for the, what,
third year in a row, the bus driver got lost looking for the
start area. Finally we got behind another lost bus and the two
of them found the route!

Our bus pulled in behind the line of them, and I jumped out to
hit the Porta-Potties. That accomplished, went back to find a
seat in a bus and stay warm until closer to the start. About 15
minutes before the start, I pulled off all the excess clothing,
stuffed it into the bag, and headed towrds the start line. I
deposited the bag, and went to the line and did a short jog out
to warm up a little. I got back just as the National Anthem was
starting, and stretched a bit (sorry to be so unpatriotic, but I
thought I needed a little stretch today).

I got into the fray about midway back, purposely, to keep my
start slow and easy. The race started, and we all basically
walked to the chip mat before the running started. The very first
part is dirt, but luckily has a high sand compositon so only a
bit mucky on the sides. Then onto pavement. I'm trying to keep
it slow, as I remember what happened last year when I went way
too fast too early on. The first mile comes at 8:58, nice and
easy. It feels like I'm going very slowly. The first mile is
up and down, the second is almost all down with a couple of
steep down portions. I run it too fast at 8:09. So I tell myself
to chill a little. My hands are getting hot, so I toss the old
socks I have on them. Later on, I'll wish I hadn't. Mile three
comes at 8:35. Good. Slightly fast, but it feels easy and it's
at least close to pace. NOw to try to hold that. Mile four is
slightly too fast again at 8:25. I lose the heavy sweatshirt I
bought at a thrift store yesterday.

Miles 5, 6, and 7 go fine. 8:32, 8:42, 8:17 (oops).And then it
starts getting colder!! My right hand starts hurting from the
cold. Wished I'd kept the socks. Mile 8-10 I'm cold. They come
at 8:38, 8:42, and 8:47. Then the sun peeks out, and it gets
warm enough, ahhh. Mile 11 I *have to* go pee. I finally find
a decent tree and duck behind. That mile is 9:18. Unfortunately
I had to go a bit off-course. Mile 12-14 are uneventful. I talk
to a fellow from Britain, working here for IBM. I expect to
see him go flying by me (he's a lot younger!) but it doesn't
happen. Miles 12-14 are 8:39, 8:45,8:42.

There's some slight uphill stretches along this part of the
course, so the pacing isn't so great. Mile 15 comes at 8:41,
16 at 8:45, 17 at 8:52, and 18 at 8:40. Then, during the last
part of 19, my hamstrings start to tighten up! Never had this
happen before, and I've been gu-ing and drinking sports drink
the whole way (in fact I actually could use to pee again).
I slow down some, with 19 at 9:04 and 20 at 10:01 (ouch). The
hams start getting a little better, and I try to pick it back
up. It's so hard to try going faster again! 21 comes at 9:35,
and 22 at 8:55. I have another bit of ham cramp in mile 23,
and it comes in at 9:47. Now my left middle toe is hurting.
I have a black toe there that's healing, I'm afraid it might
be experiencing a bit of a setback now the way it's hurting.
But the finish is so close! Let's just grit the teeth and
get to the line!!

Mile 24 comes in 9:36, and mile 25 in 9:20. I know for sure
I'm not making a PR time now. But I must get in under 4!!
Mile 26 is at 9:22, and the last bit an additional 1:44. I
can't much speed up at the end as the ham is still too tight.
(I realize I probably should have stopped and stretched it
long ago). But I'm done!!

I stop and let the chip remover people do their thing and
get my finisher's medal. And immediately hit the food and
water. First time I've been able to immediately start
grazing. Though I'm doing the usual "post-marathoner walk"
I realize my body seems better than it ever has before after
a marathon. Hmmmm, maybe getting up to 50mpw helps a lot!!

I get my bag back and put on a jacket, but I'm still starting
to get really cold. So I don't hang around for the awards
ceremony (I know I won't get anything) and head for the car's
nice hot heater. The drive was uneventful. After a nice hot
shower and lunch, I take stock. Somewhere along the way I
sprained my right ankle. Minor. My left black toe, despite
hurting like it did, didn't seem to sustain any further
damage. I tell it it's a weenie for hurting that much. The
hams are still tight, but no worse than the calves and quads.
In fact, I'm actually getting around BETTER than I ever have
after a marathon. And the coughing/congestion is BETTER now
too. The healing power of the Marathon?

I think perhaps, if I hadn't had the cold, and it hadn't been
so cold, I might have made my goal. I'm wondering if being
chilled during a part of the run might have had a hand in
the hams getting tight. But on the good side, the knee didn't
even so much as squeak. It's absolutely fine today! I'm actually
happy about it, though of course I'd have been happier had I
PR'ed. Oh, and despite being disappointed in my time, it was
still a Boston qualifier. The full results are not up yet, but
I do know I was 10th in my age group (F45-49). Here's the splits
again:

8:58
8:09
8:35
8:25
8:32
8:42
8:17
8:38
8:42
8:47
9:18 (pee break)
8:39
8:45
8:42
8:41
8:45
8:52
8:40
9:04 (hamstring tighness starts)
10:01 (worst of it)
9:35
8:55
9:47
9:36
9:20
9:22
1:44 = 3:53:36

But it's done! I've promised myself that I will NOT run for at
least a week. Oddly enough, though, I feel like I want to
already. (Don't worry, I won't). Next marathon, more 50mpw
weeks, more speedwork and stay AWAY from kids with colds! ;-)

Teresa in AZ

Thank you. Sure will. So far, so good. Still hard to stand up
or sit down, but once up or down, life is good! ;-)

Teresa in AZ

Ignoramus18778 said:

Very nice. Great job. Please update us on how you feel in a day or
two.

i

"Teresa Bippert-Plymate" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Bad luck with the cold - both sorts - but nice report.

Better luck next time?

Ro.

thanks, I'll certainly be out there again next year!

Teresa in AZ

np426z said:

"Teresa Bippert-Plymate" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Bad luck with the cold - both sorts - but nice report.

Better luck next time?

Ro.

Great job despite difficulties, congrats!

Teresa Bippert-Plymate wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

snip<
Anyway, when the alarm went off at 4:15, for the first time ever,
I heavily considered jumping back into bed. I'm usually all
excited and ready, but for some reason, I just didn't seem to
have the same level of excitement this year. But I did get out
of bed, dress in lots of layers, have my GrapeNuts and some
soymilk, and head up to the parking area (45 min drive). I parked,....

I felt the same way the morning of my marathon this year, but since I'd
driven 3/4 of the way to my race the night before and was cold (camping out
in late Nov), it didn't take much to get me up and moving to find some hot
coffee. (Soymilk is great pre-race fuel).

Quoted message said:

... easy. It feels like I'm going very slowly. The first mile is
up and down, the second is almost all down with a couple of
steep down portions. I run it too fast at 8:09. So I tell myself
to chill a little. My hands are getting hot, so I toss the old
socks I have on them. Later on, I'll wish I hadn't. Mile three
comes at 8:35. Good. Slightly fast, but it feels easy and it's
at least close to pace. NOw to try to hold that. Mile four is
slightly too fast again at 8:25. I lose the heavy sweatshirt I
bought at a thrift store yesterday.

Tossing the sweatshirt first and keeping the socks for a while would have
been better, obviously. Cold hands suck, and it seems like sometimes every
other part of you is warm but your hands start turning into ice blocks, even
when it's not extremely cold.

Quoted message said:

Miles 5, 6, and 7 go fine. 8:32, 8:42, 8:17 (oops).And then it
starts getting colder!! My right hand starts hurting from the
cold. Wished I'd kept the socks. Mile 8-10 I'm cold. They come
at 8:38, 8:42, and 8:47. Then the sun peeks out, and it gets
warm enough, ahhh. Mile 11 I *have to* go pee. I finally find...

How cold was it?

Quoted message said:

......
There's some slight uphill stretches along this part of the
course, so the pacing isn't so great. Mile 15 comes at 8:41,
16 at 8:45, 17 at 8:52, and 18 at 8:40. Then, during the last
part of 19, my hamstrings start to tighten up! Never had this
happen before, and I've been gu-ing and drinking sports drink
the whole way (in fact I actually could use to pee again).
.....

Take your salts? I've always found it a dilemma in colder weather because
it seems like you have to drink a lot to digest the GU or to get enough
sugar from the gatorade or whatever - and you want to get as much carbs in
as possible - but then if you have to go pee it can take precious time.

Quoted message said:

I get my bag back and put on a jacket, but I'm still starting
to get really cold. So I don't hang around for the awards
ceremony (I know I won't get anything) and head for the car's
nice hot heater. The drive was uneventful. After a nice hot
shower and lunch, I take stock. Somewhere along the way I
sprained my right ankle. Minor. My left black toe, despite
hurting like it did, didn't seem to sustain any further
damage. I tell it it's a weenie for hurting that much. The
hams are still tight, but no worse than the calves and quads.
In fact, I'm actually getting around BETTER than I ever have
after a marathon. And the coughing/congestion is BETTER now
too. The healing power of the Marathon?

To bad about the sprain. I always find there's an afterglow after a race or
intense workout that makes me feel really good and awake and powerful for a
while, even if I'm sore in places. Usually it lasts until after I sleep.
After my recent marathon it lasted about 24 hours, then some pretty heavy
fatigue set in, just when I faced a long drive home after a side trip.

Quoted message said:

I think perhaps, if I hadn't had the cold, and it hadn't been
so cold, I might have made my goal. I'm wondering if being
chilled during a part of the run might have had a hand in
the hams getting tight. But on the good side, the knee didn't
even so much as squeak. It's absolutely fine today! I'm actually
happy about it, though of course I'd have been happier had I
PR'ed. Oh, and despite being disappointed in my time, it was
still a Boston qualifier. The full results are not up yet, but

Way to go on the BQ!

-Tony

"Teresa Bippert-Plymate" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

But it's done! I've promised myself that I will NOT run for at
least a week. Oddly enough, though, I feel like I want to
already. (Don't worry, I won't). Next marathon, more 50mpw
weeks, more speedwork and stay AWAY from kids with colds! ;-)

Teresa in AZ

Congrats on the finish, even with the cold (twice over). I had been
following your training in the training week posts and felt for you when you
reported that were sick. You still came out ok!

So how many more 50 mpw weeks do you think you'll add?

Jenn

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Where: Tucson, Arizona
When: Dec 5th
Weather: Cold and damp. Heavy rain the day before and after!
Finish time (chip): 3:53:36. Wanted to beat old PR of 3:49:41
URL: tucsonmarathon.com

I had hoped to PR. But I had several sources of trepidation(s).
The mileage was for the most part in, but I'd had a cold two
weeks ago and still had some lingering congestion in my chest,
and a nagging little pain under the left kneecap (I think from
the biking leg of the triathlon in October). But one can always
hope!

Teresa, Really nice marathon time considering all the things that were't
in your favor this time round. You got your BQ even if you didn't get a
new PR.

Quoted message said:

And for the, what,

Quoted message said:

third year in a row, the bus driver got lost looking for the
start area. Finally we got behind another lost bus and the two
of them found the route!

Sounds like the drivers need some more training 😉

Quoted message said:

Miles 5, 6, and 7 go fine. 8:32, 8:42, 8:17 (oops).And then it
starts getting colder!! My right hand starts hurting from the
cold. Wished I'd kept the socks. Mile 8-10 I'm cold.

<snipped more comments>

Quoted message said:

There's some slight uphill stretches along this part of the
course, so the pacing isn't so great. Mile 15 comes at 8:41,
16 at 8:45, 17 at 8:52, and 18 at 8:40. Then, during the last
part of 19, my hamstrings start to tighten up! Never had this
happen before, and I've been gu-ing and drinking sports drink
the whole way (in fact I actually could use to pee again).

For curiousity, I know this is colder than your summer runs 😉, but is
it much colder than you've had experience with for winter runs? What I'm
wondering is when you were cold, you might have been burning more
glycogen (shivering is anaerobic process from what I've read) so your
energy requirements were greater but also muscles (both agonists and
antagonists) might have tightened affecting coordination. Just a thought
about what might be different here compared to other running.

Quoted message said:

I stop and let the chip remover people do their thing and
get my finisher's medal. And immediately hit the food and
water. First time I've been able to immediately start
grazing. Though I'm doing the usual "post-marathoner walk"
I realize my body seems better than it ever has before after
a marathon. Hmmmm, maybe getting up to 50mpw helps a lot!!

That's a good sign of long-term conditioning 🙂

Congratulations on a cool race 🙂

Dot

--
The goal is training and adaptation, not destruction and injury.
- John Hardy
http://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/misc/training.shtml

"Teresa Bippert-Plymate" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Weather: Cold and damp. Heavy rain the day before and after!

We had similar conditions at the last marathon I ran. Cold for Tiberias
in the winter is about 10C (50F) which turned out ideal for marathon
running,
but did necessitate gloves for the first 5 or 6 km for me...

Quoted message said:

Finish time (chip): 3:53:36. Wanted to beat old PR of 3:49:41
I had hoped to PR. But I had several sources of trepidation(s).

Well - given the various problems you encountered before and during - you
certainly
got close to the PR. That should give you confidence going into the
next attempt.

Well done and congrats on the BQ.

Anthony.

Woo hoo! A few minutes off your goal isn't much in a marathon. I'd say
you did just fine. Thanks for the terrific report! I admire how you
pushed through the tough spots and kept your wits about you.

If your overseas trip doesn't come off, I'll see you in Boston!

--
Brian P. Baresch
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Professional editing and proofreading

If you're going through hell, keep going. --Winston Churchill

Also ...

Quoted message said:

Miles 5, 6, and 7 go fine. 8:32, 8:42, 8:17 (oops).And then it
starts getting colder!! My right hand starts hurting from the
cold. Wished I'd kept the socks.

I never toss my gloves in a race; I find it's easy to tuck them into
the back of my waistband. At my marathon last February I was glad I
did; after I took them off the first time we hit some chilly spots and
I was glad I still had them. Somewhere I may have a pic of myself at
that race with my gloves sticking out the back of my tights ...

--
Brian P. Baresch
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Professional editing and proofreading

If you're going through hell, keep going. --Winston Churchill

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

<snip>

Enjoyed the report Teresa. Shame about the PR but it sounds like things
were conspiring against you this time. What time did the race actually
start? A 4:15 rise in the morning is surely enough to kill anyone's speed!

Better luck next time.

Tim

ps. Good luck with avoiding running for a week. I've never managed more
than a full day off before I've cracked. ;-)

"Tim Downie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A 4:15 rise in the morning is surely enough to kill anyone's speed!

My one race has a check-in time of 3:45 with a 4 am start. Talk about
very little sleep the night before. I think I actually sleep the first 5
miles. The longer the race the earlier they start off. I understand
even the short races in places like Florida go off early to beat the
heat.

-DF

http://www.ardice.com/Arts/Movies/Titles/A/Afterglow/

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

it was
still a Boston qualifier.

Whoo! Hoo! That's the important part - PR be d*amned.

With a little luck, my wife will BQ in two weeks. She's so tense right
now I have to tip-toe around the house. <g>

Congrats!

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

Tony' qtrader2@(remove)hotmail.com said:

Tossing the sweatshirt first and keeping the socks for a while would have
been better, obviously. Cold hands suck, and it seems like sometimes every
other part of you is warm but your hands start turning into ice blocks, even
when it's not extremely cold.

Yeah, got to agree with this. Often I end up in a short sleeve shirt,
but with gloves on. As long as my hands are warm, I'm fine.

Quoted message said:

Take your salts? I've always found it a dilemma in colder weather because
it seems like you have to drink a lot to digest the GU or to get enough
sugar from the gatorade or whatever - and you want to get as much carbs in
as possible - but then if you have to go pee it can take precious time.

I sometimes think getting your hydration right is harder in cold
weather than in hot. When it's hot, you just drink and don't have to
worry about peeing.

But you can't ignore it either, because you are loosing water and need
to replenish it.

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

Quoted message said:

Talk about
very little sleep the night before. I think I actually sleep the first 5
miles.

Similar to your first 5 posts.

Mike Tennent said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

it was
still a Boston qualifier.

Whoo! Hoo! That's the important part - PR be d*amned.

A BQ? You XX types have it easy!

Not criticising, just jealous. Here in the UK the "Good for age" entry
levels for the London marathon are particularly wide ranging. For a 59 year
man, you need a 3:15 for an automatic entry. A 59 yr old woman only needs a
4:15.

Tim

Tony said:

Great job despite difficulties, congrats!

Teresa Bippert-Plymate wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

excited and ready, but for some reason, I just didn't seem to
have the same level of excitement this year. But I did get out

I felt the same way the morning of my marathon this year, but since I'd
driven 3/4 of the way to my race the night before and was cold (camping out
in late Nov), it didn't take much to get me up and moving to find some hot
coffee. (Soymilk is great pre-race fuel).

Thanks Tony! Yikes, I can't imagine how tough it would be to camp
the night before a marathon. Hot coffee for sure!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to chill a little. My hands are getting hot, so I toss the old
socks I have on them. Later on, I'll wish I hadn't. Mile three

Tossing the sweatshirt first and keeping the socks for a while would have
been better, obviously. Cold hands suck, and it seems like sometimes every
other part of you is warm but your hands start turning into ice blocks, even
when it's not extremely cold.

Yep, I realized that not too long *after* tossing the socks. At
least it's a new data point- toss sweats first, and hold onto
hand warmers to the very last. My hands had gotten overly hot
first, so not thinking ahead I threw the socks off. Bad.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

at 8:38, 8:42, and 8:47. Then the sun peeks out, and it gets
warm enough, ahhh. Mile 11 I *have to* go pee. I finally find...

How cold was it?

I'm not sure. I know it was in the 30's to start, and the
newspaper article said it had been the coldest finish ever.
Oddly, though, it seemed like it was slightly warmer at the
start, then got colder. At least, I did! I actually chilled
a bit right then. But keep in mind I am a desert rat, can
tolerate the heat but I do have trouble keeping warm!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

part of 19, my hamstrings start to tighten up! Never had this
happen before, and I've been gu-ing and drinking sports drink
the whole way (in fact I actually could use to pee again)

Take your salts? I've always found it a dilemma in colder weather because
it seems like you have to drink a lot to digest the GU or to get enough
sugar from the gatorade or whatever - and you want to get as much carbs in
as possible - but then if you have to go pee it can take precious time.

I hadn't taken any tabs, just the sports drink (and eating a lot
of salty foods in previous days). I've never tried them, and have
been meaning to, but didn't have any and thought it a bad idea to
try it at the race. (I'm not a heavy salt sweater). I *do* want
to get my hands on some and try training with it and see if it
helps. But I'm suspicious of having chilled more than anything
else, for the ham crampup. And big YEP about running in cold,
drinking, and having to go. I was afraid that would be the case,
but of course drank as normal as dehydration would have been
worse. I did lose a little time to "overhydration".

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In fact, I'm actually getting around BETTER than I ever have
after a marathon. And the coughing/congestion is BETTER now
too. The healing power of the Marathon?

Quoted message said:

To bad about the sprain. I always find there's an afterglow after a race or

intense workout that makes me feel really good and awake and powerful for a
while, even if I'm sore in places. Usually it lasts until after I sleep.
After my recent marathon it lasted about 24 hours, then some pretty heavy
fatigue set in, just when I faced a long drive home after a side trip.

Agreed! I was actually bouncing around that day. But day after,
pretty tired and sore. Today is much much better.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

happy about it, though of course I'd have been happier had I
PR'ed. Oh, and despite being disappointed in my time, it was
still a Boston qualifier. The full results are not up yet, but

Quoted message said:

Way to go on the BQ!

-Tony

I'm happy to be able to say I did at least get that again.
The ankle is puffy, but doesn't much hurt. Kind of odd. But I
think it will be fine soon. Overall though, I'm doing quite
well for having just marathoned on Sunday!

Teresa in AZ