Chicago Marathon :: October 9, 2011

Well, I did it! I completed my first marathon. It was 86 degrees and the last 10K was hell, but I did it! I thought I'd do a little re-cap! 

It was very cold, wet and snowy driving to the airport. Luckily, all the Jewish moms in the choir insisted I skip out of Yizkor services and get a head start on the drive.

The flight was easy and Rosa picked me up, with hot noodles to boot! A (very) quick sleep and B & I were off on the El at 5am the next morning.

I lined up near the 5:45 pacers, figuring they could help me stay conservative in the first half. The elites started first, at 7:30, so it took until 7:55 for me to cross the line.

The first 10K was great. The miles FLEW by and the people on the course were so supportive and fun. The second 10K was also fine. It was super fun to run through Lakeview and see Broadway/Briar and all our old haunts. I even stopped and took some pictures.

The third 10K, miles 18 - 24, was still OK. It was getting hot out (it got up to 86) but I caught up to B (who had started ahead of me) and Rosa and B's family was at mile 19! It was so great to see them and such a boost to catch up to B and have someone to chat with.

The last 6 miles were tough. My legs were tired and starting to rebel. While I was running, it was OK, but as soon as I stopped for water/Gaterade, I would get tight and starting up again was hard. I'll give the marathon credit: they had water and Gaterade every single mile and a half. Amazing.

The finish was fantastic. I could see the Finish Line sign and they counted down the meters for us, so it was a very encouraging way to finish up. I was overjoyed to finish and very happy that, water stops aside, I ran the entire thing. I did it! I ran a marathon! And I just may do another one. We'll see. Hooray!

This is Week 0 (hee) of the recovery. Next Monday I start up the 4 week plan Hal provides. Just in time for a Turkey Trot of some sort, I think!


Post Marathon Recovery: Novice
 Week
 Mon
 Tue
 Wed
 Thu
 Fri
Sat
 Sun
 1
 Rest
2 m run
 4 m run
 2 m run
 Rest
 30-60 min
 Cross
 2
 Rest
 3 m run
 4 m run
 3 m run
 Rest
 45-60 min
 Cross
 3
 Rest
 4 m run
 5 m run
 4 m run
 Rest
 60 min
 Cross
 4
 Rest
 5 m run
 5 m run
 3 m run
 Rest
 Rest
 Race

 


--Hal Higdon
Marathon Training Schedule: Novice 1
Week
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
Rest
3 m run
3 m run
3 m run
Rest
6
cross
2
Rest
3 m run
3 m run
3 m run
Rest
7
cross
3
Rest
3 m run
4 m run
3 m run
Rest
5
cross
4
Rest
3 m run
4 m run
3 m run
Rest
9
cross
5
Rest
3 m run
5 m run
3 m run
Rest
10
cross
6
Rest
3 m run
5 m run
3 m run
Rest
7
cross
7
Rest
3 m run
6 m run
3 m run
Rest
12
cross
8
Rest
3 m run
6 m run
3 m run
Rest
12
cross
9
Rest
3 m run
7 m run
4 m run
Rest
10
cross
10
Rest
3 m run
7 m run
4 m run
Rest
15
cross
11
Rest
4 m run
8 m run
4 m run
Rest
16
cross
12
Rest
4 m run
8 m run
5 m run
Rest
18
Rest
13
7
4 m run
9 m run
5 m run
Rest
 7
Rest
14
Boulder Backroads Half Marathon
5 m run
9 m run
5 m run
Rest
14
cross
15
Rest
5 m run
10 m run
5 m run
Rest
20
cross
16
Rest
5 m run
8 m run
4 m run
Rest
12
cross
17
Rest
4 m run
6 m run
3 m run
Rest
8
cross
18
Rest
3 m run
4 m run
2 m run
Rest
Rest
Chicago Marathon