I am still a beginner in tris and running so maybe I have no business in writing. However, maybe that is why I should write this:
Exactly a year ago I ran the Disney Marathon. I cramped up and came in at 4:26. Two years prior to that I ran my first marathon and finished in 4:07. Prior to these races I had never competed in a race of any sort.
I used last year’s dismal performance as a motivation tool for my training this year. I decided in Feb/March 2008 that I would do triathlons because, at least in my mind, that was the most challenging sport I could choose. I dedicated myself to learning the three sports that make up triathlons. I read this message board a lot. I read plenty of articles (good and bad). I also attemped to learn as much as I could about the scientific aspects of our sport - at least as much as my brain would allow. Most importantly, however, I just did it - I put in the time and miles. I was very dedicated. Waking up at 5 - 6 am six days a week & putting in 2 hours every day.
This year I have gone from not knowing how to swim and never being on a bike to first in my age group in 2 triathlons (a sprint and an oly). In November I ran a 1/2 marathon in 1:29. Yesterday I ran the Disney Marathon in 3:09. It felt great.
Again, I am new to the sport and my times are still very slow compared to a lot of people here - but I just wanted to state that with the right effort and training that a lot can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.
Awesome man… I’m hoping to come on here in 8 months with a similar story about my HIM, and then in 12 months with a similar marathon story. So far I’ve got 3:45 on the marathon, so I’m figuring a 45 minute PR or so would be nice :-D.
That can’t be right. Are you sure it wasn’t because of your high tech shoes, HR monitor or GPS? Maybe your detailed training log, coach, weight lifting sessions or run camps.
You have no right to come on ST and say that kind of nonsense.
Awesome. I ran my first 5k in 2006 and almost died in 28 minutes (but it was hilly). This year I ran Disney and was on a 3:09 pace right until a bad cramp at mile 23.5 that forced me to just about walk the last two miles and I struggled into a 3:20, but even though I missed my goal by 10 minutes 2 years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of running a marathon in less than 4 hrs.
Maybe I ran with/near you at Disney since it sounds like we were on the same pace for much of the race. I hit the 1/2 mark at 1:35 (1:36 clock time) and was at 20 miles around 2:25 (2:26 clock time). I had a white singlet that said Achilles Race Team on it.
Awesome. I ran my first 5k in 2006 and almost died in 28 minutes (but it was hilly). This year I ran Disney and was on a 3:09 pace right until a bad cramp at mile 23.5 that forced me to just about walk the last two miles and I struggled into a 3:20, but even though I missed my goal by 10 minutes 2 years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of running a marathon in less than 4 hrs.
Maybe I ran with/near you at Disney since it sounds like we were on the same pace for much of the race. I hit the 1/2 mark at 1:35 (1:36 clock time) and was at 20 miles around 2:25 (2:26 clock time). I had a white singlet that said Achilles Race Team on it.
I was at 1:34 at half. Pic below. HIM in May is next. I also want to do sub 3 marathon this year.
with the right effort and training that a lot can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.
Congratulations. Great work and keep at it.
However, I note that you have laid out a 3 year time frame there. The problem is that many people look for big gains and results over time periods much less than that.
with the right effort and training that a lot can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.
Congratulations. Great work and keep at it.
However, I note that you have laid out a 3 year time frame there. The problem is that many people look for big gains and results over time periods much less than that.
I have only been seriously training for less than a year. The prior two years I ran 3 times a week and did nothing else.
with the right effort and training that a lot can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.
Congratulations. Great work and keep at it.
However, I note that you have laid out a 3 year time frame there. The problem is that many people look for big gains and results over time periods much less than that.
I have only been seriously training for less than a year. The prior two years I ran 3 times a week and did nothing else.
That is approx 150 runs in the 2 years. That is part of the reason for your good results in the Disney Marathon.
