Freezescale
The Freescale Marathon was brutal. Having the flu last week and the weather not cooperating didn't help. Many thought the freezing temps were good for running. I felt different. I would have liked a starting temperature in the forties, much like the 3M Half Marathon, and no precipitation.
Now that the Distance Challenge is over, I can pick and choose my races, even waiting until the last minute. I'll select the ones that have the right weather, the right distance, the best route and the best organization. After running in sub-freezing rain, I don't think many of those will be on the list.
Below is a little play-by-play for each mile of the race. HR = Heart Rate.
| Mile | Time | Doing | Thinking |
| Drive | -1:00 | Sitting in traffic | I'm not going to be able to stretch |
| Pre-Start | -2:00 | Stripping off sweat pants | I better pee |
| Start | 0:00 | Watching deer run past | That's a cool start |
| 1 | 10:11 | Maneuvering | Why do walkers line up at the front? |
| 2 | 9:15 | Maneuvering | Starting to thin out. HR 160 |
| 3 | 9:11 | Settling into a pace | This isn't so bad |
| 4 | 9:14 | Starting to sweat | Better take off a layer.HR 165 |
| 5 | 9:14 | Removing the top layer | Probably need to remove another |
| 6 | 9:07 | Taking off the second layer | Much cooler but not sweating. HR 167 |
| 7 | 9:07 | Picking up the pace. Legs are numb. | Feeling good though |
| 8 | 9:35 | Water break | Need to find a better way to mix my drinks |
| 9 | 9:06 | Good pace | There's the Pink too-too guy! Hilarious. HR 168 |
| 10 | 9:40 | Passing the free Gummy Bears | Been there, done that. Hands are numb. |
| 11 | 10:07 | Stop to get rocks out of shoes | Argh! |
| 12 | 10:07 | Getting passed by the Running Elvi | I want to do that. HR 168 |
| 13 | 11:10 | Splitting from the Half Marathoners | Nothing better than running into the halfway point with the Running Elvises |
| 14 | 11:43 | Eating Clif Shots | Cranberry flavor's not so bad |
| 15 | 10:30 | Taking Endurolytes for early cramps | I should have tested these on a pre-race run. Damn! Whoever suggested putting Gels in the glove was wrong. It just burst. Sticky hand for another 9 miles. Great. |
| 16 | 11:30 | Stop to get my food belt tightened | Should have checked this beforehand. HR 142 |
| 17 | 11:32 | Starting to stiffen up | The rest is not going to be easy. Hands and mouth numb. |
| 18 | 12:22 | Hands and mouth are numb | 8 more miles is doable. HR 138 |
| 19 | 15:00 | Stop to say hi to Teresa, Kayla & Mom | This should get me further down the road. |
| 20 | 16:38 | Feeding on more Clif Shots and Endurolytes | I'm really tired of lemon lime |
| 21 | 13:00 | Pick up the pace through UT into Downtown | Most of it's done. HR 146 |
| 22 | 14:46 | Cramping in quads and calves | I wish the numbness would come back |
| 23 | 14:32 | Out and back for three miles | Minor hill but they feel big |
| 24 | 16:52 | Making the last turn | Almost home. HR 132 |
| 25 | 16:02 | Stopping for a beer | It can't hurt at this point |
| 26 | 20:00 | Not stopping anymore | From the comments, I know I look as bad as I feel |
| 26.2 | 1:19 | Crossing the line | Half Marathons are good distances |
Many Austinites braved the icy, cold temperatures and stood on the corner in support of the runners. People handed out oranges, Gummy Bears, pretzels, M&Ms and even beer. Many predicted the bands wouldn't show up. They did and then some. It seemed like every half mile at least one or more people were playing their instruments and some were even blaring. The band at the UT football stadium definitely could be heard for miles. They had to be colder than the runners standing in one place.
One of the things I realized throughout the last eight months is that I need to be in shape to cover 150% to 200% of the distance of the event. Notice I said cover. That means to run a 26.2 mile marathon, I need to be in shape to cover 39-50 miles so that I can actually do well running the 26.2 miles. It's not that I want to compete, I just don't want to experience the pain and agony during the event. I want to enjoy the experience. This was not the case today but it will be next time.
tags: Freescale Marathon
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