Race report: Philadelphia Marathon
Sunday, November 22, I ran the Philadelphia Marathon. Here are some thoughts, in no particular order:
*I followed a training plan and found group speed work (Thank you, Coach Carl) about halfway through the training cycle. Next time, I should find that group faster, and perhaps consider paying someone for individual weekly coaching.
*This was a GREAT race, start to finish. Nice and flat, only a few small hills halfway through. Great crowd support in the first half, more challenging in the second, given that the second half consisted of an out-and-back along a river with no easy access points.
*While I did not partake of the free beer at Mile 20 in Manayuk, I did appreciate that it was there :-)
*My finishers medal is a Liberty Bell. It is the most awesome medal ever.
*Chicken Parmesan for dinner the night before the big race has yet to let me down.
*I went out way too fast and paid the price with lots of walking in miles 20-26. I really should know better by this point.
*My finishing time was 3:51.53. It was my 3rd fastest time in 9 tries at the distance, which I am very proud of. Given that my overall training volume over 18 weeks (aka weekly total miles) wasn't where it needed to be for anything faster, I'll take it!
*Special thanks to J&KR for making brisket and having me and ES over after the race - it was super delicious and much appreciated!!!
What's next?
Well, certainly not a fall marathon in 2016, as I have something slightly more pressing to get ready for next October. But a spring race may be in the cards.
I'm taking about 3 weeks to chill, and will be back at it for the Monday Night Brewing 10-miler. I'm considering a flat May race, since my recovery from this one so far seems to be pretty quick. Will hopefully decide for sure by the end of December - since a solid training base is a terrible thing to waste.
Ideas, peanut gallery?
*I followed a training plan and found group speed work (Thank you, Coach Carl) about halfway through the training cycle. Next time, I should find that group faster, and perhaps consider paying someone for individual weekly coaching.
*This was a GREAT race, start to finish. Nice and flat, only a few small hills halfway through. Great crowd support in the first half, more challenging in the second, given that the second half consisted of an out-and-back along a river with no easy access points.
*While I did not partake of the free beer at Mile 20 in Manayuk, I did appreciate that it was there :-)
*My finishers medal is a Liberty Bell. It is the most awesome medal ever.
*Chicken Parmesan for dinner the night before the big race has yet to let me down.
*I went out way too fast and paid the price with lots of walking in miles 20-26. I really should know better by this point.
*My finishing time was 3:51.53. It was my 3rd fastest time in 9 tries at the distance, which I am very proud of. Given that my overall training volume over 18 weeks (aka weekly total miles) wasn't where it needed to be for anything faster, I'll take it!
*Special thanks to J&KR for making brisket and having me and ES over after the race - it was super delicious and much appreciated!!!
What's next?
Well, certainly not a fall marathon in 2016, as I have something slightly more pressing to get ready for next October. But a spring race may be in the cards.
I'm taking about 3 weeks to chill, and will be back at it for the Monday Night Brewing 10-miler. I'm considering a flat May race, since my recovery from this one so far seems to be pretty quick. Will hopefully decide for sure by the end of December - since a solid training base is a terrible thing to waste.
Ideas, peanut gallery?