goals = check.
Well… evidently I was more wrapped up in 2013 than I thought I was. I (almost) cannot believe my last post was from the summer. Holy moly. At the risk of boring myself and others I’ll try to quickly recap how 2013 ended for me.
My third athletic goal of 2013 (aside from set a new 5k PR and complete an Olympic-triathlon) was to PR in a marathon. To be fair, my first marathon effort in 2012 was pretty weak despite by best efforts so the bar was set relatively low, but a goal is a goal. Notably, I also apparently have a “thing” for only doing international marathons and with that the second half of 2013 was focused on training for the Berlin Marathon.
The registration process alone was incredible for Berlin. I set my heart on this particular race just before discovering the event was already sold out. In fact, all 40,000 spaces sold out in a matter of minutes. But, to my luck, the two-step registration process resulted in a handful of slots (maybe 1,000) reopening a few weeks later! Between iPod, iPhone and computer I managed to somehow successfully snag a registration. (BTW, those ~1,000 spots sold out in seconds).
I significantly reduced the number of weeks in my training plan compared to what I had for Spain. But even that didn’t matter. A few weeks into training, I worked up a terrible case of Achilles tendonitis. There is basically no treatment for this other than rest. I met with a specialist to understand exercises and stretches I could do to help with conditioning but the only way to stop the incredible (and debilitating) pain was rest. Immediately, the specialist instructed a firm 2-3 week period of NO RUNNING. ~6 weeks out from a marathon, when you’re generally at your peak of training, hearing NO RUNNING as a demand is just defeating.
But I had no choice. I physically couldn’t even walk at an accelerated pace without it feeling like everything in that area was tearing. I learned very quickly that the cause was over-training too quickly. Though I was able to crank out a 10-mile training run for the first run of the entire plan, evidently my tendons were not real pleased.
Needless to say my training for Berlin was… limited. Particularly in the most critical phase of training. I resorted to spin class at the gym to get as much intense cardio as possible. I fell in love with spin! I went as many times a week as my schedule would allow and tried like hell to give it everything I could for those 60 minutes.
We planned a wonderful 3 week travel plan around the Berlin Marathon. Berlin was the first few days, and ultimately we’d visit Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. (This is why I choose international marathons!)
The entire event from start to finish was insane-awesome. The race EXPO (which included a flash-mob and milkshake bar courtesy of Brooks Running) was beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. It was 3 or 4 airplane hangars FULL of gear and vendors. We did the traditional breakfast run the day before – which was an easy ~3 mile run followed by breakfast at the Olympic stadium. And the actual marathon… was beyond words. 40,000 runners is a LOT of runners. I’ve never seen so many people going after the same finish line. It was freaking amazing.
Going into the race I had a strategy. I’d planned to run the first half, then get through the second half with a steady run/walk combo. The ENTIRE marathon course, I was surrounded by at least 30 other runners. Not a single moment was I ever running alone or unable to pace with someone nearby. You could hear the footsteps of each runner and the crows – WOW – the spectators were incredible. People lined nearly every mile of the course. It was truly something special. The course was flat, and fast. It’s known for being the fastest marathon course in the world, I think. I particularly enjoyed this, especially given my scenario.
I stuck with my strategy. I had a GREAT first half. I ate a ton of food on the course (bananas, cookies, chomp blocks) and I’m pretty sure I stopped for water at every hydration station. I ran my race, and I had the most fun out of any race I’ve ever done. The best part? I totally set a new PR. I finished in 4:35. This is over 30 minutes faster than my previous effort in Madrid. I was on top of the world! Crossed that finish line and maybe shed a tear of excitement.
The downside? Once that runner’s/finisher’s high wore off, I was an absolute disaster. My body was in total “shut down” mode. I could barely move, I was nauseas beyond belief and absolutely every inch of my body ached. We managed to make it back to the apartment in Berlin after grabbing a bite to eat and I immediately took a nap. This might have been the worst idea ever. I should have showered and soaked in a tub… but instead… I curled into a ball and crashed. When I woke up, my knees hurt so bad I couldn’t walk and my stomach was so sore and tense I couldn’t function. But I’m tough. I worked through it – though, the bath helped drastically.
I was sorer for the next 5 days than I’ve ever been and than I ever imagined I could be. But, I had the best time ever and I am so proud of myself for hitting my goal.
The new year has started off quick! 2014 is going to be full of changes for me, and I can hardly wait. I’ve started this year with frequency on my bike, which rocks. Through my spin obsession, my legs and core have grown strong… and now… road cycling is incredibly enjoyable for me (even on the hills!).
In a little over 6 weeks, I’m running my first trail race. Even better than it being a trail run, is that it’s a half marathon train run. I’m pumped. If the rest of the year continues at this pace… it’s going to be pretty freaking incredible.