Distance Run

Woot! Richmond PWEND!

This past Saturday (November 11) was the 2006 SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

If you’ve been reading the blog, you know I’ve been struggling with runner’s knee for the past 6 to 8 weeks. It hasn’t been fun, and I was very worried about Richmond.

Well, the knee gave me less issues than the heat, that’s for sure. It was over 60 when the race started, and 75 when it finished. I spent most of the rest of the afternoon recovering from heat related sickness.

But I tell you, if you have to suffer a race in the heat, Richmond is as good as any! Great crowds, the occasional good scenery, great support, and lots of motivating runners make this race a fun one.

My goal for Richmond this year wasn’t necessarily to PR. My goal was to train well for the race. Success at Richmond for me this year was to be calculated based on how well I trained.

Why not a specific race goal? Because last year I bonked at Richmond. I went out way too fast and paid the price, logging the last 19 miles in rather severe discomfort. Starting fast is a seriously NOOB mistake. My goal this year to learn discipline, and thus a rigorous adherence to my training schedule. The theory being that through 6 months of adherence to a strict training schedule, I could train my brain to stick to a schedule during a race, no matter how good I felt.

You see, by race day, after a 2 week taper, just about any runner is going to feel like a race-horse on crack. And its easy and tempting to go out strong.

So, I thought a 6 month training schedule where I tried as hard as possible to stick to the plan would help me learn mental discipline.

Well, in the end, my training got me runner’s knee, so perhaps I need to get back to even more basics, lol, but the fact of the matter is I trained really well, and I’m happy about that.

I had 3 goals established for myself:
1)Finnish
2)Hit 3:45
3)Hit 3:30

Because of my knee, I was worried about even finishing, but after a few miles I was sure I’d complete the race. At the starting area, I linked up with three 3:30 pace group runners. I stuck with them for the first half the race.

At about the midpoint, the heat started to get the best of me. Much of the Richmond race is run on wide urban streets where there is little shade. Given the 75 degree temperature, that spelled problems. I started seeing people drop out of the race all the way up to mile 23! Man I felt sorry for the girl I saw laying on the median just past the mile 23 marker. I hope she’s ok… About mile 17, one of the 3:30 pacers took off his pace bib. I could feel his pain. It was hot as hell. Many of us were slowing down.

In any event. It was a great race. Though I came in at 3:47, I’m not too upset with my time. I didn’t start fast, and in terms of overall standings, I did better this year than last, and that’s good.

Will I do Richmond again? Probably not. After the likes of Charlottesville and Le Grizz, I will certainly go for smaller, more scenic races. They suit my solo-runner tendencies, and I love getting in touch with mother nature.

Oh yeah, before I forget… I’d like to congratulate my running club partner, Tom Stone who rocked a 3:17! Good job Tom!

Congrats to all the runners, and thank you for the countless support staff along the route. Not the least of which include the awesome support staff, the 3:30 pace group I linked up with, the cheer leading squad, the guy handing out orange slices (again this year!), the spectators at The Wall, and all the others who came out to cheer us on.

Richmond is a great race as far as support. The course is not overly challenging. I think I’m not cut out to be a big-city racer…

Rock,
Bill Gross