Memories of my first marathon

In no particular order:
230 am wake up
2 hour drive
1 hour shuttle
30 minute wait for outhouse
Delayed start
Running shoulder to shoulder
Chills I am really doing this
Spectators everywhere
People cheering me using my name
Lots of hills
Live bands
Water cups everywhere
People in their church clothes
Cheerleaders
Gay couples
Strippers
Boomboxes
Pete the wheelchair racer
The Rider turned triathlete from Calgary on the shuttle
Energy from the crowd
Pain at miles 21,22,23
Strength at 24,25,26!!
Running strong at the finish
My greatest mental and physical achievement
4 hours 5 minutes
Receiving two medals
Finding a friend in the finish chute
Proud Dad
Congrats from everywhere
Lunch by the pier wirth my family
Wearing a paper blanket
Walking normally
21 year old in cardiac arrest at mile 18

Special thanks to all that have supported me, especially my fmaily.

Before the run

What a new, incredible experience and a graat performance.  I came very close to breaking the 4 hour mark, my time was 4:05, that is great for a 46 year old first time Marathon runner.  I could have run it faster, mile 26 was my fastest mile @ 8:30. 

Miles 22 and 23 were brutal, but the rest was good.  Amazing to see all the people lined the entire route cheering, live bands, radio stations; I was smiling most of that 4 hours.

I was still coughing from my cold before the race, but about 5 miles in it seemed to go away and returned shortly after the race - weird.

I just cannot capture it in words; it is an very satisfying accomplishment. 

I'll take the week off to recover, I am a bit sore as you might imagine.  Then back to training for the "In the Dirt Triathalon" this fall; my first Tri.

NGU!

Dan

RaceDay Alert

Tomasz Stec @ Finish in 04:19:48 (NET). Pace: 9:54. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Dan Wilson @ Finish in 04:05:42 (NET). Pace: 9:22. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Tomasz Stec @ 40K in 04:06:03 (NET). Pace: 9:53. Predicted: 4:19:33. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Dan Wilson @ 40K in 03:54:09 (NET). Pace: 9:25. Predicted: 4:06:59. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Tomasz Stec @ 30K in 02:57:02 (NET). Pace: 9:29. Predicted: 4:09:00. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Dan Wilson @ 20K in 01:54:51 (NET). Pace: 9:14. Predicted: 4:02:18. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Tomasz Stec @ 20K in 01:54:12 (NET). Pace: 9:11. Predicted: 4:00:56. Powered by Honda.

RaceDay Alert

Dan Wilson @ 10K in 00:57:46 (NET). Pace: 9:17. Predicted: 4:03:44. Powered by Honda.

2.5 days left to the LA Matathon

The adversity just does not stop.  I have had a cold for a few days now, nothing to concerning, but I learned today that my youngest daughter has Strep Throat, so I am a little concerned for the both of us.  I'll take whatever leftover anitbiotics we have around the house tonight and tomorrow morning to give my body a little help with the battle. 

The weather is predicted to be mid 70's, which is great for the spectators, but not so great for us runners that have been training all winter.  Above 65 degrees you can expect to run up to 2 minutes per mile slower, that will be humbling to say the least.

My 4 hour goal is going to be tougher that I thought, I am going to run it, the question is how well, and how miserable it's going to be.

On a higher note:
I have attemted to set up the LA matathon tracking system to automatically update my blog, so race progress updates should be forthcoming here, facebook and twitter!  Gotta love SN.

NGU!!!

10 days! I'm Ready!

Wow!  I ran 416 miles since I started running in August 09.  I'm in pretty good shape for the Marathon, my left knee is a little sore, but loosens up after a couple of miles.  I am treating it daily so it does not become an issue.  I've overcome injury and sacraficed much to get here.  I know your question, because I answer it daily...Am I ready?  I think so.  My goal, now, is a 4 hour Marathon, and I plan on "leaving it on the course."  So if I can't walk the next day; it is planned.  4 hours is a lofty goal for a guy that has never entered a race, let alone a Marathon.

You can track my progress race day at http://www.lamarathon.com/runner-info/race-day-tracking/

BIB# = 5385

Peak week complete!

2 20 mile runs within 15 days, add a few 8s and 12s and a bunch of 5s and it's all easy from now untill race day. I only lost 4 pounds today during the 20 miles compared to 6 last time. 4 pounds is about right. I ran it in 3 hous and 18 minutes, pretty slow but I have a cold and ran a fast 10k yesterday. I will be faster on race day.

I can't believe I have come so far since my very first run 6 months ago. The work has paid off!

NGU!

Sent from my iPhone

Peak Week

This week is the peak training week caped by 28 miles this weekend. If I can get through this injury free I will be ready to marathon.

Last week I ran 35 miles. This week will be 43 then less each of the three remaining weeks.

NGU

Sent from my iPhone

25 mile weekend

Ran 5 Saturday about half of it in the dirt. Today I ran 20, practicing my marathon strategy and expermenting with nutrition gels and cheewies and stuff. It went pretty well. The marathon seems less daunting with a 20 miler in the bank. I am back on schedule now; feeling great about that.
NGU!

Sent from my iPhone

Only 38 days left...

and I am getting there.  I can run for miles at my desired marathon pace and only have a heart rate of 110 or so.  My leggs are what I am not sure about.  I'll find out Sunday as my training plan has me running 25 miles over the two-day weekend.  I am not looking forward to the test, but am focusing on the what the results will teach me about myself mentally and physically.

I am not concerned about my weight anymore; 170 will be my Marathon weight.  This is not the time to deprive my body of calories.  I might even put on a couple of pounds.  Fat stores alot more energy than muscle does, and I will need it.

Wish me luck.
NGU
Rider

Superbowl Sunday

Ran on the hamster wheel through the entire Supercross lights and the 450s. 12 miles, 20 for the weekend and 35 for the week. I still have a lot of work to do. Forrest Gump is my hero!

NGU

Sent from my iPhone

Rainy weekend

The treadmill I recently purchased is paying dividends on all these rainy days we have been having. Ran 8 miles today at 7 mph. That is myarathin goal. That ahold keep me under 4 hours even if I walk through the water stations. NGU!

Sent from my iPhone

46 days to go...

I didn't feel like running for an hour last night so I just ran faster.  Ran 5 miles in 35 minutes and went to bed.  Probably do the same tonight.

48 day to the LA Marathon - I'm BACK!

I ran 68 miles in January, so at that rate I should be able to do the matathon in about a week...lol

I feel great today after running 12 miles yesterday, I even took a leiserly 12 mile Mountain Bike ride with a buddy today!

NGU!