St. Georege Marathon

[kodi]

Sunday Oct 5 was my second anniversary for my Aortic Valve Replacement. On Sat Oct 4, in celebration, I ran my 53 marathon. I will admit it was my second slowest ever and even 17 minutes slower than last year. The weather was colder than I prefer but doable. However, there was a headwind and rain most of the way, not the best of conditions for someone who doesn't function under 60º. My major problem was the flare-up of the arthritis in my lower back. I should have taken Aleve early on (about mile 8 or 9) but being stubborn stuck it out until mile 19. I did more walking than I ever did in a marathon but none-the-less finished in 5:13:42. My hopes of a 4:30-4:40 were dashed when I had to walk some starting at mile 8.
I'm now in the 'what now' mode. Do I continue to run marathons since my times are really over an hour longer than they ever were before surgery or do I just keep clicking them off and being satisfied that I'm getting older and slower. BTW, just for the record I'm on the downhill slide to 71...That means I'm more than 70.5.

 

[Guest]

Congratulations on finishing the marathon. Have you thought about 1/2 marathons? I'm leaning that way myself as I just don't have the time to train for a full one right now.

I bet you don't look a day over 40!

 

[Lionheart]

Kodi,
As a youngster 20 years junior to you I can say that you are one of my role models. I am striving to be able to run a 5k. Thanks for showing what can still be done with AVR. Regarding your question about quitting due to slower times, who cares as long as you are entertained by the activity. The main thing is that you can and are doing this. Good job.
Keep it up,
John

 

[kodi]

Congratulations on finishing the marathon. Have you thought about 1/2 marathons? I'm leaning that way myself as I just don't have the time to train for a full one right now.

I bet you don't look a day over 40!

I do a number of 1/2s. Where I live I have to travel to almost any race. Locally we have a 5K in Nov and a 1/2 in April. Within 60 miles we have a 5K/10K in May another in Oct and a 1/2 in March.

As for looking 40, I wish. Actually most people would think I'm late 50s or early 60s which is still a compliment.

 

[Leeroy996]

Good effort on the marathon.
There's a world of different things you can do out there. Have you done an ironman yet?

 

[kodi]

Have you done an ironman yet?

Yes, at the age of 49 I did Penticton BC. The two things I remember most about it, killer bike ride and totally cramping in the run. What an adventure. I haven't done a tri since 2002 and have a couple I'm thinking about in the not too distant future. I loved doing the sprints and OLY Distances. Someday I might even think about another IRONMAN.

 

[MikeHeim]

The only question I think you need to ask is: Do you still enjoy it? If not being able to match the times you expect means you feel negative about the experience, then I would look to something else. However, if you still get the relief and high of accomplishment when you finish, by all means keep going.

I admit I'm struggling with the exact same thing. I had run eight marathons prior to my valve repair, and I am considering training for my first one post-op next Spring. I ran a half-marathon about a year ago, and ran my worst time ever by about 20 minutes. At this point, I am not sure I can bring myself to train for 4 months to train for a full, only to be disappointed by how I finish. I am a very competitive person, and I personally only get satisfaction in meeting my goals while running, not just the act of completing a race.

 

[kodi]

I find myself in a Catch 22 situation. I enjoy the sport, I don't mind the training and I really like the runs (as long as the weather co-operates). so yes I still enjoy it after 30 years. When I don't perform close to my goals I get disappointed and down on myself for not trying harder.
BTW, I decided I can't quit running, it is the only thing that keeps my weight in check. If I stopped I would weigh 250 in a matter of months, not because I eat a lot but mostly because I have a really slow metabolism. I can gain two pounds in a week just cutting back on mileage.

 

[BillCobit]

Hello, Mel

Nice to see you posting. Congrats on marathon #53. You are free to feel however you like about your marathon performance, but you should cut yourself some slack, IMO. Easier said than done, I know.

A bunch of the guys & gals from Akron and NJ are running the Towpath (Cleveland) race today and had a social event yesterday. I was unable to make the social, so I didn't bother to make the trip for the run. I'm hoping I get another chance to meet up with you at a race some time.

I got a slot for an Ironman event next year, so that is my training focus this winter / spring.

 

[tprice54]

Kodi, I don't mean to hijack your post, but I thought this may be a good place to remind you, Bill, and others than October 2009 is our next race together, the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY. 3 person relay teams will be formed with as many people as we can get to show up. Dave Tuttle and I are preparing this one, and we guarantee a great time...hey, it's in NY wine country!

 

[kodi]

Thanks Bill and good luck in the IRONMAN training. I envy you. I've been doing some biking and want to get back to some tris.
Tom, don't worry about hijacking my post, I'm glad you did and I hope enough of the others will read it and hopefully join our little club of 'relay junkies'. I'll really give it some thought but that means missing my favorite St. George but maybe I need a change and I've never run a NY marathon.
BTW, good luck to you in NYC next month.