tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post7784334040940477361..comments2024-03-28T12:05:47.779-04:00Comments on Racing Stripes: ExpectationsElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06265175590096078175noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-62481817489666971982019-08-12T02:14:08.166-04:002019-08-12T02:14:08.166-04:00Here is a funny story for you about my marathon hi...Here is a funny story for you about my marathon history. While my first marathon I was basically right on target with what I thought I could go (I was thinking 3:10 and ran 3:10:52), I often have missed my goals when I went into a race confident and when I went into a race making excuses for why I would fail, I have found successes. For example, my first sub 3 marathon, I had this awful cold all week. I feel for anyone near me that had snot blown on them. Because of the cold I did a short hard run the week of the marathon just to see if I should believe I can make this sub 3 hour goal and I was failing miserably. But in the end it all worked out. In Pgh, something I ate gave me the runs.. I was in the port o john 10 mins before the race and then had to weave thru thousands of people. I chose to jump a fence into a parking lot and jump back over it (it was 8 feet high or so) and I was 50 feet in front of the start line. I ran a PR. In Toronto I struggled all summer, then ran a great half marathon but wasn't sure given the awful summer training if I could break 2:55:00. Then it was rainingand crummy as we began and while I was going for it I didn't think I could and I crushed it. Then Boston 2014 came, I wanted sub 2:50:00 but a brutally cold winter and not getting fast runs in made me say I'm luckt if I do 2:55:00, I ran a personal best 2:51:06 (that still holds and probably will always be.) Then I went into Philly. Full of confidence, it's going to happen today, no doubt about it. All my training was phenomenal, 42°F so the weather was perfect (cold once I turned my warms ups in but I knew once we started I'd be fine.) Well I knew at mile 9, something wasn't right but I'm still going to try (even at mile 24 I was ahead of my Boston time but I was bonking then) and finished at 2:52:54... Since then, nothing to brag or feel good about. I'm not even concerned with 2:50:00 now, I still think I have sub 2:55:00 in me though. <br /><br />I'm just saying that it's funny how people say be confident on what you can do yet my experience tells me otherwise. It's not what you say, but what you do that matters (I guess except when it comes to getting dates, but that's another topic given all the cool people my age are married off or wacked!)Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16727212475858505605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-83136092297745498282010-06-14T11:00:41.865-04:002010-06-14T11:00:41.865-04:00Hi.
I read your blog sometimes and I just wanted ...Hi. <br />I read your blog sometimes and I just wanted to chime in and give you some encouragement.<br /> <br />I have been there very recently so I know what you are going through.<br /><br />Don't give up on your goal because your hard work and dedication WILL pay off.<br /><br />I have found that when I made strides in my 10k times (not 5k, although they improved along with them)that the marathon time came down too. <br /><br />You probably know this, but improvements in races that work your lactate threshold, rather then VO2 max are better for your marathon performance. And this is good news since you have said that longer races are your strength.<br /><br />Good luck to you. I look forward to your upcoming PRs!!runnerbeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699596847577187287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-48293713659407230162010-05-23T08:41:09.613-04:002010-05-23T08:41:09.613-04:00That's the one thing about the marathon...or a...That's the one thing about the marathon...or any race for that matter....it just comes down to that one day. It could be any number of factors that slowed your pace. The training cycle approach with multiple peaking phases is interesting. I've never heard of that. Seems like you possibly could peak too soon with that, but I've never used that approach, so I don't really know. When you train that hard, it is really hard not to be disappointed when you don't reach your goal, but relish in the fact that you did put in all that training and like you said, you're in much better shape now than previously. That achievement is much better in the long run than a BQ. You'll get there, no doubt. Trust in your training and hang in there. It will come. I'm still waiting for my BQ, but I know it will happen eventually. Awesome post.RunnerDudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209079063314051451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-20802829332013401802010-05-23T08:36:55.538-04:002010-05-23T08:36:55.538-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.RunnerDudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209079063314051451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-76363529352324089912010-05-19T10:43:11.406-04:002010-05-19T10:43:11.406-04:00You have never disappointed me! You've traine...You have never disappointed me! You've trained hard and given it all you've got. You're an impressive athlete and I admire you and wish I had your dedication!Runner NYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00483077724253340414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-46143467702327313412010-05-18T17:06:06.771-04:002010-05-18T17:06:06.771-04:00LA Runner: Thank you so much for your support. I f...LA Runner: Thank you so much for your support. I feel like so many people just don't understand this type of disappointment.<br /><br />MCM: I loved your blog. I think maybe that Gravel trail wasn't the best idea for a marathon, considering we hadn't trained on that surface.<br /><br />Cristina: I love your approach. I love reading your blog about your non-time goals, and I see now how important those can be, because they are more within your control. Staying focused on hills, for example, can happen no matter what the weather conditions are! I am really going to change my attitude for these next few races. Being that it's almost summer, PRs will be impossible, so it's a good time to "practice" that type of mentality.<br /><br />Rosa: Thanks so much. I really wanted to just stop at mile 22 and call it quits. But because it was such a small race, there was no one around to really help me back to the start. So I had no option but to continue on.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06265175590096078175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-32929803213549168602010-05-18T16:50:15.421-04:002010-05-18T16:50:15.421-04:00I'm sorry you didn't make your goal, but y...I'm sorry you didn't make your goal, but you will. It's easy to get caught up in goal seeking, but when it comes to the marathon, so many things have to align perfectly for you on that particular day!<br /><br />You're running great and I'm sure that 18 miler and the warmth (it wasn't as hot, but it was still pretty warm Sunday for a marathon) of the day played a factor as well. <br /><br />Have fun at NYC, a marathon for fun is what you need to make you remember why you run! :) <br /><br />More importantly, enjoy your engagement, good things come when your not looking for them! ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-49201250065598592182010-05-18T08:48:48.574-04:002010-05-18T08:48:48.574-04:00I think you got the handle of it. It'll fall ...I think you got the handle of it. It'll fall in line soon enough. Yep, the MP-ish run for 18 miles wapped you more than you thought.<br /><br />Now get moving on all your wedding plans girl!!!Black Bear!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10207523019805673241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-33041492598949668392010-05-17T09:29:58.182-04:002010-05-17T09:29:58.182-04:00Elizabeth,
It was great to see you just before th...Elizabeth,<br /><br />It was great to see you just before the mid-way point, yesterday... you looked strong then, but of course, we all did. :)<br /><br />This was my 4th marathon and I missed Boston, yet again. This time, I was there until about mile 18, when it slipped quietly away.<br /><br />As I keep telling myself, if it were an easy goal to hit, it wouldn't really be worth it.<br /><br />But like you, I'm stepping back for a bit, regrouping and focusing on some shorter races for a while. Because, as we both know, Boston's not going anywhere.<br /><br />MAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948808055205630880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-2530070701529723112010-05-16T22:58:59.694-04:002010-05-16T22:58:59.694-04:00congrats on a finishing another marathon! I'm...congrats on a finishing another marathon! I'm running my first at the end of June and I'm trying not to get obsessed with times. I would love to finish under 4 for my first but I have no idea what to expect. I would love to BQ someday but heck, I have no idea if by the time I finish the first, I might never want to do it again! ;) I figure it is a hard line to not get obsessed with it and still work hard for the goal. I think you have a very healthy perspective right now. Hang in there.Julie D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08422741135790771406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-1328625152728630872010-05-16T21:33:00.239-04:002010-05-16T21:33:00.239-04:00You know all about my experience at London last ye...You know all about my experience at London last year and, as someone who bailed at 22 miles mainly because I couldn't cope with how devastated I was about missing my goal, I firstly just think completing a marathon when you feel that way is pretty awesome. Secondly the whole putting so much importance on a target time probably had a major impact. You start obsessing over every single second and every second that makes that target less likely is like carrying extra weight. The mental side of marathons is so damn important and when your body is already knackered from running a certain amount of miles anything that might undermine your mental strength will have a major impact. My marathon PR was when I didn't particularly have a goal in mind, I thought I would PR but thought the next sort of mile stone time from my previous PR was too tough, so just aimed to run strong. It meant that instead of stressing and seeing my time slip from a target pace I ended up enjoying simply running it and was pretty damn shocked at my time - the fact my garmin died in the last few miles may have actually helped!<br /><br />What I'm trying to say is I really understand how gutting this experience can be, but I really think how you have evaluated it and plan to approach NYC is perfect. Oh and you didn't let anyone down at all! You are awesome and always will be. xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-6537450053509023432010-05-16T19:44:42.167-04:002010-05-16T19:44:42.167-04:00One more agreement. It's so easy to get fixat...One more agreement. It's so easy to get fixated with a particular goal, and to let it take over things, so that it becomes an albatross. I know I had a devil of a time hitting my 5K time goal, and couldn't do it until I decided to stop worrying about it (then I did it).<br /><br />Get yourself to a point where you love running and training. Then enter each race with a) pride in solid training, b) a focus on non-time goals (such as staying determined on hills, or not going out too fast, and c) acceptance that what happens will happen -- all you can do is your best.<br /><br />I've found this has worked well for me. I don't always run the times I think I should be running, but I'm much happier with the races.<br /><br />-Cris/DarkwaveUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642202418619015450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-77733391915621489592010-05-16T19:21:19.510-04:002010-05-16T19:21:19.510-04:00I am 110% impressed, even if you didn't reach ...I am 110% impressed, even if you didn't reach your goal. I agree that taking a step back from trying to BQ is a great idea with all you have going on.<br /><br />Oddly enough, mile 16 is where I fell apart as well. Not sure what happened.<br /><br />Have fun at NYC!MCM Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10588793352268224508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2189875022254484779.post-8462266702817943312010-05-16T18:16:33.808-04:002010-05-16T18:16:33.808-04:00(((HUGS)))) You're right about everything you ...(((HUGS)))) You're right about everything you said, but one thing. YOU DID NOT LET ANYONE DOWN! No one is disappointed in you. You worked your butt off and did your best, nothing to hang your head about. I know it hurts, and I know how you feel. No real words of advice, just that you aren't alone, and DO NOT feel stupid. Your friends and family care about you and would support ANYTHING you are involved in, running or hopscotch. There are always lessons to be learned, but sometimes life just sucks in some ways. Regroup and get back out there. (((HUGS))))L.A. Runnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06697035798338739693noreply@blogger.com