Long Beach Marathon Revisited with Pictures

 

Early morning of October 17 in Long Beach.  Runners started trekking to the Starting Line.





View from the sky. Runners all set to go.  Long Beach Marina & Queen Mary on the background.





Long Beach Fireboat  & the Queen Mary





And off they go.



Runners as they passed the Lighthouse





Newbie's Mistakes
1. Trained for 8 weeks to come up with a plan, then ditched it at the starting line. Chased the 4:15 to 4:26 hrs pacer, instead of staying with my wave pacer (4:26 to4:45 hrs). 
2. Trained to run 5 miles and walk 2 minutes intervals. Didn't walk till mile 17.





The Humbled One
From mile 18 to 24, my legs stopped listening to my command.  My arms were moving faster than my legs and to add insult to my woe, my wave pacer overtook me.  My training, focus and determination to finish my first marathon was tested and I  passed the challenged.  Didn't stop to catch my breath, to rest or stretch my aching legs.



Mind & Body Working Together Again
Got back my strength on the last 2.2 miles and was able to run non-stop at a decent pace.




The Triumphant One
Hands raised & smiling face as I crossed the Finish Line, said it all .... the feeling and the reasons, I love running.

Gun Time -- 4:58:58
Net Time -- 4:42:49



 







Personal Run .......

Have you ever run an event because of personal reason?  I did last Sunday.  With a week notice and just 2 weeks from my first marathon, I decided to join my son in running a 10K in Lafayette, CA to kick some big asses. The course is very challenging with an uphill grade of 6% (street to the reservoir rim trail) and a downhill grade of 7%. Also, it's  an 800 miles drive for me.

I have to do this event. Years ago, while with my son, his wife and in-laws for a breakfast in Lafayette, I was slighted by the restaurant because of my race.  Never mentioned the incident to anyone,except to my wife.  Forgot all about the incident till my son  told me about the Lafayette Reservoir Halloween Run.

I have a score to settle and I will settle it by what I do best ----- running and a podium finish.  From start to finish, I gave all I got,  uphill, downhill no problem (actually been running downhill dangerously). I finished strong  ....... unfortunately, I came out short of my goal, one second short to be exact for a 3rd place finish.  At least, in the field of 14 runners in my age group(60 - 69),  I kicked  10 asses.  That's pretty good score
and if you consider that, I am the oldest in that group, it's double the pleasure.  

Event --------------- Lafayette Reservoir Halloween Run
Time ---------------- 55m :36sec
Age Group Place --- 4/14
Overall Place ------- 217/528

Newbie No More

After three years of running 5k, 10k and 13.1 mile distances and weeks of training, on a cold and cloudy morning, I ran my first full marathon …The Long Beach International Bank Marathon this morning.

After running with relative ease at the short distances, it's a humbling experience running 26.2 miles. I set a PR first 13.1 miles (2:05:58) but unfortunately, I was running the 26.2 event. I was in uncharted territory the last 6.2 miles and my time during this stretch was disappointing. My 68 years old legs and back reduced me to jogging and walking. It was not till 2.2 miles left in the race that I was able to put together enough strength to run non stop to the finish line. Adrenalin had kicked in as I watched mile 24 and 25 go by and the upcoming left turn off of Ocean to the final stretch helped me finish strong!

Crossing the finishing banner was a relief and I was glad to have challenged myself and even more grateful to just have finished such an ordeal. My son and many other runners say, “It's a life changing feeling having run your first marathon and the feeling won’t hit you till after crossing the banner.” I ask myself, is this the first and last marathon I will complete? Is the all of the training worth it? As I view the final results several hours after my finish, I take note of my 7th place in my age group but take keen interest to the finishers ahead of me whom are same age as me. Then I think of what if I had a better finish kick during those 6.2 miles and maybe if I didn’t walk as much. The thoughts quickly pass. I massage my sore legs and straighten my tight lower back and think, it was my first marathon and I finished it! I’ll savor this feeling in the coming days as my sore muscles recover and think, maybe I’ll place 6th the next time…

Time ....................... 4:42:49
Div (65-69) place ....... 7/29
Overall --------------------- 1842/3287

After the Race

Final Rehearsal ......

Today, I did my last bit of distance work before the marathon, and is designed to remind both body and mind that I am well trained distance-running old machine. I wore the running short and shirt that I will be wearing during the big day including shoes and socks. Also, I have my hydration belt with all the stuff, I will be carrying with me. It's a dress rehearsal.

At 7:00 am and at the exact starting line, I started my final long run at a pace that I intend to run the marathon. If the weather today will be the same come marathon day, I have to pass mile 10 by 9:00am to escape the heat of the sun.

I ran 12.13 miles in 2:04:51. Based on this 10:17 pace, I expect to finish the marathon under 5 hours. Bold expectation but I am good if I don't meet it ......... after all, I expected to be a bold actor when I was 18 years old and nothing came out of it.

From my Dailymile account, the following are my training stats;

No. of weeks in training ------ 7
Distance --------------------- 206.4 miles/330 km
Time ------------------------ 33h:36m
Weekly Ave ----------------- 29.5 miles/47 km

Good luck to me and to all participants of this coming great event.

Out of Control

I pride myself as a discipline and patience runner, but lately I was frustrated of not being able to finish my long run strong.

This week, a blogger friend, Paul of 50 is the new 30 blog, suggested to experiment the walk - running to extend my range. With this in mind, I came out with a plan --- for every 5 miles, walk 2 minutes. Today, I put my plan in motion knowing that I just ran 17 miles last Monday. At the Long Beach Marathon official route, I did a long run of 20 miles with a time of 3:25:07

and still with enough juice to run and walk the last 6 miles.

This Week Mileage:

9-13 ........................... 6

9/14 ........................... 17

9/15 ........................... 3

9/16 ........................... 7

9/17 ........................... 3

9/18 ........................... 0

9/19 ........................... 20

Total .......................... 56 miles/90km

For 68 years old newbie, it's stupid moved. Thanks god, except for sore knees, I feel good.

Starting tomorrow, I will start my 4 week taper ...... confident that I can finish my first marathon within regulation.

Be Careful.......

When I had my annual medical check-up yesterday, I told my doctor of my plan to run the full marathon.
This is what he told me:

1. Be careful. There are not that many 68 year olds running their first marathon.
2. Drink lots of fluids and stay hydrated!
3. Since there are many staff/volunteers and other runners around, make sure you notify someone if you are feeling bad.

Comment #3 got me thinking. Is my doctor hiding something from me? He told me that I am in good health and all the lab work results are good...so how come he made the comment? On my way home, I realized that my doctor was correct. At my age and with some medical issues, strenuous activities like running, can be risky and there is no better place to have an episode such as a crowded organized event. People/spectators/race marshals/medical aides are around in abundance at events like a marathon in case someone needs attention!

But what about those long runs and trail runs during training. I always run alone and as a precaution:

1. I always tell my wife my route and time I will be back.
2. Run close to my house and if I have to train at the event route, my wife goes with me.
3. Always have my hydration belt regardless of the distance.
4. Always have my driver license, medical insurance card & road ID bracelet.
5. I dont carry a cell phone now but I plan to carry one just in case!

Moving up a next level in running, such as my first marathon, is a big step...no pun intended! It takes careful thought, dedicated training and planning for any and all circumstances such as a medical emergency. Taking care of the little things will ease my mind and give me confidence and motivation at the start and cross the finish line arms raised 26.2 miles later!

Full Marathon Training Update

Last August 29, I ran 18 miles, the farthest since I took running as part of my healthy/active lifestyle. While my time of 3:04:07 was good for my age division, my paced on the last 2 miles was discouraging. I don't know where to get the strength to finish the next 8 miles. Hopefully, the next 4 weeks of training will help me finish my first full marathon. To increase my chances of finishing the event, I revised my training/workout for the month of Sept as follows:

Sun - long run 13-18-13-21

Mon - Fishing

Tues thru Fri - 3.1 miles run + 1 hr gym workout.

Sat - 2 hrs gym workout.

After the 21 miles long run, I will add walk - run - walk to my training.