No Time to Taper

With my next double marathon weekend 3 weeks away, I haven't had much time to recover from Myrtle Beach.  I took two days off after the marathon before resuming training.  I ran 2 easy miles Tuesday and 3 on Thursday, and did boot camps Wednesday and Friday.  The week could be called one of "active recovery."  This weekend I ran 12 miles Saturday and Sunday each.  These back to back long runs prepare you mentally and physically to go out run a long distance when despite being sore and tired.  This week I'll do 4 and 5 mile runs during the week.  Next weekend I'll do back to back 20 milers and then taper for the double.  I joked with my wife the other day that I have been sore since 1998.  While not exactly true, it's not much of a stretch, either.

#40--Myrtle Beach Marathon

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

February 16, 2013

4:39:45

With Myrtle Beach, I continued my winter swing through the south.  Winter marathons are tough to train for and can be even harder to run, with unpredictable travel and weather.  A few years ago, this race was actually cancelled because of snow!

I left on Valentine's Day and took my wife.  Somehow, I convinced her that it would be a very romantic trip to watch me run yet another marathon.  My sister watched the kids for the weekend and we made it to Myrtle Beach easily.  I was lucky enough to find a nice restaurant for dinner that night.

The expo was small and efficient.  One of the benefactors of the marathon is a preserve for rare wildlife.  The highlight of the expo was seeing several baby tiger cubs playing with each other.

The race started at 6:30 AM.  I like early starts because I am usually up anyway and sooner you start, the sooner you finish!  It was cool at the start and the temperatures were forecast to be in the low 50's for most of the day.  It was perfect conditions.  Continuing with the wildlife theme, there was an elephant at the start line to help see runners off.  I'm glad he or she wasn't easily spooked.

I ran a slow, steady race.  We had walked around a bunch the day before, so my legs were a little bit tired.  The course was flat and fast.  Surprisingly, there weren't as many ocean views as I had hoped for, but there were a few.  Aid stations were plentiful and well stocked.

I finished in just under 4:40, running almost even splits for the two halves of the race.  I met my wife at the finish and we walked to a nearby movie theater.  I was the only one at the movies with my sweaty running clothes on, a race bib on my shirt, and a medal around my neck.  Isn't this how you are supposed to spend Valentine's weekend?  

When we walked out of the theater, a very cold rain had started, which turned into a light snow later that night.  As we packed our bags to return home, I realized there was more snow on the ground and it was colder in Myrtle Beach than in Lincoln.  Not exactly the getaway I had hoped for.  We had a nice seafood dinner that night, but anxiously checked the weather.  Fortunately, the flights home the next day went smoothly.  I was happy to have finished my 40th marathon, anxious to see my two sons, and ready to train for the double marathon in Virginia/North Carolina next month.

#40 in the books

Finished the Myrtle Beach Marathon yesterday, crossing South Carolina off the list.  This was marathon #40, and state #38.  Getting closer!

Training Update

I am in my final week taper for the next marathon.  I'll run an easy 8 miles today.  Next week I travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  In 2010 the race was cancelled because of a rare snowstorm in the area.  Right now the weather forecast calls for mild temperatures.  

State Farm Registration Open

The annual State Farm 10 mile run on the Mopac trail represents the beginning of the 2013 race calendar for the Lincoln Track Club.  It's a great way to gauge your readiness for the Lincoln Marathon or 1/2 in May.  Registration for the event is now open.

http://www.lincolnrun.org/races/statefarm