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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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 Posted: 10/01/05 - 15:30 Post subject: Akron Marathon - a humbling experience (w/photo link now)
Bottom line: 1:41:12 at half way point, 3:59:28 finish I ran/walked the last 9 miles with very painful cramping going on in both quads, both calfs and my left hamstring. Why the cramping? Hell if I know, I tried to do everything right training, hydration and nutrition-wise.
Gorgeous morning today - 48 degs when I arrived and parked near the finishing area in Canal Park Stadium. Temp climbed slowly throughout the race but never hit 70 while I was on the course.
Start was made promptly at 7:30 a.m. and off we went. I was loose and confident and felt great. Crowd support was excellent, water/Gu/diluted powerade stations were plentiful and well-run.
The first 15 miles were on flat and gently rolling hills for the most part and I cruised along nicely, never once feeling fatigue or tightness anywhere. It was warm enough that my asthma wasn't an issue although I barely had a voice left when I got done for some reason.
At mile 16 I began to back off my pace a bit knowing the next several miles had a fairly major change in elevation. I wasn't into the ascent of the first hill more than a couple of hundred yards when my left hamstring started barking at me. I slowed and it seemed to stabliize.
Mile 17 is when the crap hit the fan. The hamstring very nearly pulled completely and I had to stop to stretch it. My quads by this time were starting to protest also. I stopped again and tried to massage them back to life and while walking my motherfruggin' calfs started in on the fun.
Miles 18 thru 26 were all pretty identical, run when I could get the cramping to back off, walk/massage the various muscles when they went off on me again. This was the longest, most painful 8 miles I have ever experienced in my life.
The last 0.2 mile, along the warning track and first base line of the Akron Aeros stadium, with a ton of people in the stadium, was just unbelievably cool despite the friggin' agony my legs were in. There was no damn way I was walking that last part. 
Conclusion: I have earned a new respect for the distance. The entire experience overall I'd give a B- but only because of my physical ailments. The rest of this race was a positive experience. I don't know what caused all the cramping but I need to get a handle on it. I've never experienced muscle pain that bad in my life.
And thanks to Kimba for trotting along side me thru a section of mile 20 and offering me encouragement. Good friends are good to have. And pardon my French during our conversation Kim.... 
edited to add link to photos
http://www.runphotos.com/packages.cfm?file_name=11b1/321-11B_7751.jpg
http://www.runphotos.com/packages.cfm?file_name=21/321-21_0141.jpg
(Cappy edit to add additional link)
bib 321
Last edited by robp on 10/04/05 - 08:55; edited 2 times in total
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TOsteve
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Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 1468
Location: Out for a run
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 15:44 Post subject:
You never know what that distance is gonna throw at you. But being sub 4 hours on your first 'thon despite major adversity is pretty amazing by anyone's standards. 
Have a few cold ones and enjoy some much deserved pigging out!
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
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Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 15:51 Post subject:
| TOsteve wrote: | You never know what that distance is gonna throw at you. But being sub 4 hours on your first 'thon despite major adversity is pretty amazing by anyone's standards.
Have a few cold ones and enjoy some much deserved pigging out!
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Damn straight. Congrats Rob. 
And a paws-up to Kimba for the pick-me-up. 
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TimRuns
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Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 10062
Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 16:26 Post subject:
Yikes! You're not making me feel better about mine next weekend! 
Anyways great job on your first despite the painful experience!
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 16:31 Post subject:
| TimRuns wrote: | Yikes! You're not making me feel better about mine next weekend!
Anyways great job on your first despite the painful experience! |
Rob has, and you will, kick butt.
Given last year's fun 'n' games, mine will be an intersting one. But you'll get the spotlight as you should, this being your first. I work better in the shadows anyway.
Last edited by gretriever on 10/01/05 - 16:39; edited 1 time in total
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monk25
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Joined: 25 Jun 2002
Posts: 3922
Location: The Beautiful South Shore of L.I. NY
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 16:37 Post subject:
Great job on the sub 4 first 'thon
Once the pain subsides I know you will be looking for another one!
It was an amazing experience, no?
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 16:57 Post subject:
I'm sorry to hear about the cramping and issues, but major props for the sub-4 WITH WALKING. Pretty impressive I think. You rock Rob, but, we knew that
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Kimba90
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 17:28 Post subject:
 Congratulations on the SUB-FOUR MARATHON Rob!!!!!!
You did everything right. If you could have had cramps in training and ran with them, you would have.
Great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 17:46 Post subject:
| monk25 wrote: | Great job on the sub 4 first 'thon
Once the pain subsides I know you will be looking for another one!
It was an amazing experience, no? |
The last third of it was amazingly painful... The first two thirds of it though were pretty damn cool. I'd recommend Akron to anyone to enjoy the experience but I don't think it's a course you'd like to attempt a PR on...
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DCRunningDiva
Look at me!!! ©
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Joined: 10 Oct 2003
Posts: 9344
Location: Washington DC Metro
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 18:12 Post subject:
As everyone else stated...Kudos on your sub-4 marathon!!! Imagine what you could have done without the leg cramping! I'm glad you gave the experience such high ratings...I guess that means you'll be back again next year.
Kimba! 
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JUJR
Grunt
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Joined: 20 Feb 2005
Posts: 1970
Location: www.johnnydu.com
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 18:31 Post subject:
how many trips to the potty????? 
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 18:54 Post subject:
Congratulations on your first marathon finish rob -- and sub 4 is fantastic!
sorry about the leg cramping crap. very hard to understand why this would happen when your training went so well lots of marathon hill climbing is just NOT RIGHT!
i've learned respect for that distance simply by running a half.  no way i'm turning around and doing that again.
way to go rob. EXCELLENT FIRST MARATHON, great finish time in spite of the major cramping issues -- unreal!
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shelee
Member
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Posts: 2409
Location: IN
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 18:57 Post subject:
I had my fingers crossed for you all morning and felt pretty bad when I read about your experience, but you've proven how strong you are. I know you'll get out there and conquer that race! Great job!!!!
Kimba, , everyone needs a friend like you on such a harsh race! That's awesome.
Shelly
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 19:15 Post subject:
Congrat's on your first marathon
Sorry to read of your troubles through the last portion.
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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 21238
Location: www.johnnydu.com
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Posted: 10/01/05 - 20:22 Post subject:
Great job Rob, sub 4!  Not sure about the cramping either but hopefully you don't experience it again. Congrats marathoner!
And Kimba, nice going!  
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