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Article: Boston or Bust
Category:
Coach
Date: 2/28/2005 |
Question: I ran the Freescale marathon Sunday, February 13, (2005) and didn't get the time I was on track for. The first half was finished in 2:11 and the second in 2:40. Around mile 19 my back and stomach started cramping. I slowed my pace, but things did not improve. About mile 20 or 21, I started a cycle of running 4 minutes and walking 2 minutes. I was drinking gatorade and water at every stop, did 4 gues prior to this point, but was still having trouble with cramping and feeling disoriented. I participated in the distance races leading up to Sunday and had done two training runs above 20 miles. I'm attributing it to heat and humidity. Am I missing something? What do you suggest to prevent a repeat of this? My goal is to break 4:30 and eventually get to Boston before I'm 65 (I'm 42 now).
Answer: It was a brutally hot and humid day. You just got caught in the bad conditions. You can drink more, and salt your food the week before, and maybe train in the warmer parts of the "winter" days, but it's mostly survival out there when it's 70+ degrees and 90% humidity. Few come close to PR's, many more DNF's and rough finishes. |