My goal for the Equinox Marathon this year was to simply finish in under the ten hour time limit. It was near perfect conditions this year as there was no snow and it wasn't too cold at the top. I think I heard that there were 750 individuals and 150 relay teams competing. After getting to the base of Ester Dome much faster than last time, I opted to charge up the uphill part to get it over with. The "out and back" at the top of Ester Dome was depressing as you head downhill knowing that you will turn around and come back up the same hill. I started to try running and discovered that I could run for about four minutes then walk for one and repeat pretty easily.
This is typical course as most of the race was on trails not on roads. After coming down the chute, a power line right of way that heads straight downhill, I continued the same run/walk routine. I didn't die though I felt like I was going to for most of that section. If I stopped and rested for more than a minute, my feet ached for the next ½ mile so no stops (or pictures). I ended up running into the finish line once I saw that I was going to finish in just under six hours which is over two hours off my previous time. I just glanced at the clock as I was barely able to function at the end. Now, everything hurts. I don't think I'll ever do this again. But I think I said that last time...
Sunday Afternoon - Official partial results were posted today. 5:58:06.8
Posted with Blogsy
Mate well done, better than i could of that is for sure....next time I reckon you should get a dirt bike, you will probbly nail it in 20 minutes..
ReplyDeleteThe trail committee will probably complain if I take a bike on their nice trails. One area I don't think I'd want to try on a bike is the power like right of way heading straight downhill. Very steep even on foot, worse on skis and I expect terrifying on two wheels.
DeleteCongratulations - you have to feel great about beating your last time and your goal. Way to Go - Excellent! (Remember, it'll only hurt for a little bit, but you can brag about it forever!)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if "feel good" is in my vocabulary regarding this event. But thank you.
DeleteWow, not only did you beat your goal, you beat your previous record. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteNow comes the training for the next marathon.
I really don't think there is going to be a "next marathon". The Equinox is the only one that I had ever tried and supposedly it is something like fourth most difficult in the country due to terrain and elevation gain/loss. At least that is what I've been told...
DeleteCongrats Richard....almost made me wish for the days I ran 10Ks for fun and the tshirt....almost.
ReplyDeletedom
It IS a really nice long sleeve technical t-shirt plus you get a patch if you finish the full race in under 10 hours (not the relay). Now I have two patches. That should be enough...
DeleteGreat job Richard. You did awesome. Sure it hurts now, but you have the satisfaction of knowing you finished it in almost half the time you thought you would. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteNot quite half. That would actually require running for the whole course. I walked the first third, sped up on the second third and actually started running the last third once I knew that I would actually finish. The first time I did this event, I refused to run since I actually wanted to make sure that I finished. This time I pushed myself much harder than I probably should have.
DeleteI bow before you. Congratulations to finishing even below previous time.
ReplyDeleteMy feet hurt just from reading this. I could probably easily do a 1/2 marathon but I am not ready to do a full one.
As long as I didn't stop, my feet didn't hurt too much. Especially compared to other parts such as hips and knees.
DeleteAdd my congratulations! I'm glad you didn't "die".
ReplyDeleteThere were times when I wasn't sure...
DeleteThank you, I'm glad it's over and as long as the Ibuprofen doesn't run out I'll probably feel fine. I did discover that I could actually run if I ignore this "max heart rate" number propagated by the Internet. I think mine must be much higher than the formula value. But I never did discover this "high" some claim to get from running.
ReplyDeleteAlso, buying shoes a week before the event, bad idea...
I add my congratulations on a goal set and met. By the way, I've never seen any hard science backing up all that "target heart rate" stuff. I reckon listening to your body and going for it are probably the best policy.
ReplyDelete~k
When I use my "target heart rate" calculated from my age, I could never go beyond a brisk walk. I found that I could easily run at slightly over my "max heart rate", again calculated from my age, for quite a while with no evidence that I am anaerobic. Once I start walking, recovery is pretty quick.
DeleteI think you are right about just listening to your body especially based on my recent experience.
Awesome! Congratulations!! Way to break your previous time. The pain will fade and be forgotten by the time the next one rolls around!
ReplyDeleteIt took four years for me to forget the last one. In four years I'll be in the next older class.
DeleteCongratulations! So great that you set out just to finish, and wind up finishing with tons of time to spare!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, It's that horrible competitive streak I have...
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