Ran my first marathon Saturday at the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon. Race report here if you care to read it:http://thepoorathlete.blogspot.com/2011/11/thunder-road-marathon-race-report.html I started running in January. I’m 28 and ran a 4:06, on a hilly course. You guys have any idea as to my potential? Did anybody else do the race I’d like to read some other reports to compare experiences.
Nice job. Did you see the fire-eater at about mile 2 (Randolph/Colville)? I was watching on that corner and some of the reactions were awesome.
Oh yea I saw the guy eating fire. It was only mile two so he was warmer than me.
My training approach was similar to yours. I had 5 weeks from my last tri (Rev3 SC) to the marathon. So not much “marathon” specific training. The course is quite hilly compared to most other marathons out there (total elevation gains for Charlotte is more than Boston, NYC, Marine Corps).
I think the early hills took a toll on me later in the race. Didn’t feel 'em in the first half of the race, but they sure caught up to me by mile 20. I was on pace for a 3:00 flat at mile 20, but died horribly and came home in 3:08. Still, I was pretty happy to qualify for 2013 Boston. I’ll be able to do a full marathon training program for that.
3:08 Nice job. The last mile was the worst for me, it felt like 10. Thats a great time. I need to put a ton more miles behind me to get lower. But my bike is slow so thats the winter focus.