Tucson Marathon 2004

Mike Tennent said:

Tony' qtrader2@(remove)hotmail.com said:

Tossing the sweatshirt first and keeping the socks for a while would have
been better, obviously. Cold hands suck, and it seems like sometimes every

Yeah, got to agree with this. Often I end up in a short sleeve shirt,
but with gloves on. As long as my hands are warm, I'm fine.

Yep, I do too. I think I might have been okay had I kept the sock gloves.

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I sometimes think getting your hydration right is harder in cold
weather than in hot. When it's hot, you just drink and don't have to
worry about peeing.
But you can't ignore it either, because you are loosing water and need
to replenish it.

Totally agree. I decided to just drink at every stop as normal, and if
I had to pee, so be it. Better to err on the side of too much rather
than not enough. Luckily the course isn't urban for most of the length,
you can just run off to the side and find a bush. It seemed that that
was a very popular pursuit this race.

Quoted message said:

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

Teresa in AZ

JMA said:

"Teresa Bippert-Plymate" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

But it's done! I've promised myself that I will NOT run for at
least a week. Oddly enough, though, I feel like I want to
already. (Don't worry, I won't). Next marathon, more 50mpw
weeks, more speedwork and stay AWAY from kids with colds! ;-)

Teresa in AZ

Congrats on the finish, even with the cold (twice over). I had been
following your training in the training week posts and felt for you when you
reported that were sick. You still came out ok!

So how many more 50 mpw weeks do you think you'll add?

Jenn

Thanks Jenn! Bad timing on the cold, but at least it didn't hit
closer to the race! I'm thinking that maybe I'll make the last three
big weeks over 50mpw and see how that goes. I think my body can
handle it, the problem is finding the time!!!

Teresa in AZ

Dot said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

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Teresa, Really nice marathon time considering all the things that were't
in your favor this time round. You got your BQ even if you didn't get a
new PR.

Thanks, Dot! Funny, I did actually have a bit of a feeling things might
not go so well, after the cold and seeing what the weather was up to.
I don't run a lot in the cold.

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third year in a row, the bus driver got lost looking for the
start area. Finally we got behind another lost bus and the two
of them found the route!

Sounds like the drivers need some more training 😉

It is starting to get rather comical! They gave the drivers maps,
but I think they should put someone at the crucial turns, or signs,
or something...

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part of 19, my hamstrings start to tighten up! Never had this
happen before, and I've been gu-ing and drinking sports drink
the whole way (in fact I actually could use to pee again).

For curiousity, I know this is colder than your summer runs 😉, but is
it much colder than you've had experience with for winter runs? What I'm
wondering is when you were cold, you might have been burning more
glycogen (shivering is anaerobic process from what I've read) so your
energy requirements were greater but also muscles (both agonists and
antagonists) might have tightened affecting coordination. Just a thought
about what might be different here compared to other running.

I think that's what might have gotten my hams. When it's this cold,
I will go out and run, but I'm bundled up more, and if I get hot,
I just slow down some, open a few vents, etc. But I never let
myself get chilled out training. I obviously don't have a lot of
experience running in the cold, and could have used it!

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grazing. Though I'm doing the usual "post-marathoner walk"
I realize my body seems better than it ever has before after
a marathon. Hmmmm, maybe getting up to 50mpw helps a lot!!

That's a good sign of long-term conditioning 🙂

Congratulations on a cool race 🙂

Dot

Yep, it was cool! ;-) But thanks, I am happy after all. Tuesday
AM now, and I am doing quite well, so all that training really does
pay. It makes me anxious to try doing more miles yet next go-round,
too. But perhaps, the next race somewhere where it will be just
a bit warmer???

Teresa in AZ

Anthony said:

"Teresa Bippert-Plymate" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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Tucson Marathon 2004
Weather: Cold and damp. Heavy rain the day before and after!

We had similar conditions at the last marathon I ran. Cold for Tiberias
in the winter is about 10C (50F) which turned out ideal for marathon
running,
but did necessitate gloves for the first 5 or 6 km for me...

Thanks Anthony! I know it was in the 30'sF to start, and I can
swear it actually got colder for awhile there. It was really
gorgeous, though, to look up at all the new snow on the Catalina
Mountains. Though I was truly hoping to finish before the clouds
let loose with anything else! But for me, I think I would have
liked it to be a bit warmer.

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Finish time (chip): 3:53:36. Wanted to beat old PR of 3:49:41
I had hoped to PR. But I had several sources of trepidation(s).

Well - given the various problems you encountered before and during - you
certainly
got close to the PR. That should give you confidence going into the
next attempt.
Well done and congrats on the BQ.

Anthony.

I am *almost* sure if it hadn't been for the two cold events I'd
have made it (thinking the ham cramps were due to getting cold).
Now just to rest, then choose a new goal race, in a warmer place!
;-)

Teresa in AZ

It's a deal! I actually know a couple of runners here that go
every year, I should start picking their brains now just in case.
But thanks, I'm feeling better about it, especially now that
I'm beginning to walk like a normal human being again!

Teresa in AZ

Brian Baresch said:

Woo hoo! A few minutes off your goal isn't much in a marathon. I'd say
you did just fine. Thanks for the terrific report! I admire how you
pushed through the tough spots and kept your wits about you.

If your overseas trip doesn't come off, I'll see you in Boston!

Yep, I learned a good lesson here. I could have kept them, and
believe me, next time I will. I never expected that it would
actually get colder!

Teresa in AZ

Brian Baresch said:

Also ...

Quoted message said:

starts getting colder!! My right hand starts hurting from the
cold. Wished I'd kept the socks.

I never toss my gloves in a race; I find it's easy to tuck them into
the back of my waistband. At my marathon last February I was glad I
did; after I took them off the first time we hit some chilly spots and
I was glad I still had them. Somewhere I may have a pic of myself at
that race with my gloves sticking out the back of my tights ...

Tim Downie said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Enjoyed the report Teresa. Shame about the PR but it sounds like things
were conspiring against you this time. What time did the race actually
start? A 4:15 rise in the morning is surely enough to kill anyone's speed!

Better luck next time.

Tim

ps. Good luck with avoiding running for a week. I've never managed more
than a full day off before I've cracked. ;-)

Thanks Tim! The full marathon started at 7:30. (The halfers got off at
7:00). Gave us lots of time for the bus drivers to find the start! ;-)
Local sunrise now is at about 7:12, and it took me about 45 minutes to
drive to the parking area. The last bus leaves at 6:00, and they don't
advise waiting until the last one, so I got there at 5:35....I really
do hate getting up that early!

Teresa in AZ

Yikes, that's early! But I suppose it's probably safer to be
running half asleep than driving. I turned on the local Moldy
Rock station LOUD on the freeway to make sure I wouldn't nod
off...

Teresa in AZ

Some of our late spring, early fall races start at 6am to avoid
the heat.

Doug Freese said:

"Tim Downie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A 4:15 rise in the morning is surely enough to kill anyone's speed!

My one race has a check-in time of 3:45 with a 4 am start. Talk about
very little sleep the night before. I think I actually sleep the first 5
miles. The longer the race the earlier they start off. I understand
even the short races in places like Florida go off early to beat the
heat.

-DF

Thanks Mike! Give your wife a Best of Luck wish from me!
Hope she gets her BQ too! Sounds like she's all primed and
ready though....

Teresa in AZ

Mike Tennent said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

it was
still a Boston qualifier.

Whoo! Hoo! That's the important part - PR be d*amned.

With a little luck, my wife will BQ in two weeks. She's so tense right
now I have to tip-toe around the house. <g>

Congrats!

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

There are some good advantages to being older! ;-) Right now
the BQ for me is 4:00 (F 45-49's). They had just added 5 mins,
it used to be 3:55. I know it's all based on percentages of
time, but it does seem like its easier for a motivated
woman to BQ than a motivated man. At least, from the observations
of my freinds. I have a lot of female freind runners who have
made BQ, and quite a few males who are still trying. I guess
your male world-class runners are just too darn fast!

Teresa in AZ

Tim Downie said:

Mike Tennent said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

it was still a Boston qualifier.

Whoo! Hoo! That's the important part - PR be d*amned.

A BQ? You XX types have it easy!

Not criticising, just jealous. Here in the UK the "Good for age" entry
levels for the London marathon are particularly wide ranging. For a 59 year
man, you need a 3:15 for an automatic entry. A 59 yr old woman only needs a
4:15.

Tim

Quoted message said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

Doug Freese wrote:

My one race has a check-in time of 3:45 with a 4 am start.

Yikes, that's early! But I suppose it's probably safer to be
running half asleep than driving. I turned on the local Moldy
Rock station LOUD on the freeway to make sure I wouldn't nod
off...

When June's WHW race eventually rolls round, I'll be starting at 1:00 am.
I'm not sure if that's very very early or very very late. ;-)

Tim

Teresa Bippert-Plymate wrote in message ...

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........

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I felt the same way the morning of my marathon this year, but since I'd
driven 3/4 of the way to my race the night before and was cold (camping

out

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in late Nov), it didn't take much to get me up and moving to find some

hot

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coffee. (Soymilk is great pre-race fuel).

Thanks Tony! Yikes, I can't imagine how tough it would be to camp
the night before a marathon. Hot coffee for sure!

Actually I'm used to camping out before trail races, ROGAINEs, and
Orienteering meets; but what I really meant is that since I'd driven most of
the way, there wasn't really the option of staying in bed, something I've
occasionally done instead of going to local road races I planned to race but
didn't pre-register for.

-T

Teresa Bippert-Plymate wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

There are some good advantages to being older! ;-) Right now
the BQ for me is 4:00 (F 45-49's). They had just added 5 mins,
it used to be 3:55. I know it's all based on percentages of
time, but it does seem like its easier for a motivated
woman to BQ than a motivated man. At least, from the observations
of my freinds. I have a lot of female freind runners who have
made BQ, and quite a few males who are still trying. I guess
your male world-class runners are just too darn fast!

Teresa in AZ

For men 45+ it's 3:30, which seems possible, but right now for me at almost
42 it's 3:20 - out of reach even next year as marathoning isn't my main
goal. Down the road it would be fun to run Boston, and it seems age might
help out, unless they make the standards stricter.

-T

Leafing through rec.running, I read Teresa Bippert-Plymate's message of 06
Dec 2004:

Quoted message said:

Tucson Marathon 2004

Quoted message said:

But it's done! I've promised myself that I will NOT run for at
least a week. Oddly enough, though, I feel like I want to
already. (Don't worry, I won't). Next marathon, more 50mpw
weeks, more speedwork and stay AWAY from kids with colds! ;-)

Teresa in AZ

Way to go! You did great, considering your cold, etc. And thanks for the
report. Why might have quite a rec.running crowd in Boston.

Phil M.

Leafing through rec.running, I read Tony's message of 07 Dec 2004:

Quoted message said:

Teresa Bippert-Plymate wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

There are some good advantages to being older! ;-) Right now
the BQ for me is 4:00 (F 45-49's). They had just added 5 mins,
it used to be 3:55. I know it's all based on percentages of
time, but it does seem like its easier for a motivated
woman to BQ than a motivated man. At least, from the observations
of my freinds. I have a lot of female freind runners who have
made BQ, and quite a few males who are still trying. I guess
your male world-class runners are just too darn fast!

Teresa in AZ

For men 45+ it's 3:30, which seems possible, but right now for me at
almost 42 it's 3:20 - out of reach even next year as marathoning isn't
my main goal. Down the road it would be fun to run Boston, and it
seems age might help out, unless they make the standards stricter.

Just hang in there, Tony.

1. Get older
2. Maintain speed
3. Maintain endurance
4. Avoid getting injured
5. Rinse and repeat

Phil M.

Leafing through rec.running, I read Mike Tennent's message of 07 Dec 2004:

Quoted message said:

With a little luck, my wife will BQ in two weeks. She's so tense right
now I have to tip-toe around the house. <g>

How has her training been? Is she on target for a BQ?

Phil M.

Quoted message said:

How has her training been? Is she on target for a BQ?

Phil M.

Do they BQ ribs or burgers?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

Thanks! I do sure want to some time. Last year we ended up going to
Germany in April and we're talking about Australia next spring....

If you are here in mid-March (12th) you can can run the Six Foot
Track. http://www.sixfoot.com/ Its in in the Blue Mountains roughly
2 hours drive from Sydney. The Canberra Marathon is April 10th.
http://www.canberramarathon.com.au/ and the SMH Half in Sydney is May 22.
(http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/

Canberra is smallish race liked by local runners for its flat course
and good organization. The SMH half has an interesting course around
Sydney's CBD. The Six Foot is much more special though.

BTW, nice recovery from the hamstring problem in the TM - often its a
one way slide in the splits after a problem around mile 20.

Andrew

Doug Freese said:

"Tim Downie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A 4:15 rise in the morning is surely enough to kill anyone's speed!

My one race has a check-in time of 3:45 with a 4 am start. Talk about
very little sleep the night before. I think I actually sleep the first 5
miles. The longer the race the earlier they start off. I understand
even the short races in places like Florida go off early to beat the
heat.

-DF

You need to try the Resurrection Pass 100. Starts at 3PM (yes, the PM)
on a Friday afternoon - out/back. Then RP50 (point to point) starts at
7am Sat, iirc, at the turnaround for the 100. I think the 50s then try
to catch the 100s.

Dot

--
The goal is training and adaptation, not destruction and injury.
- John Hardy
http://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/misc/training.shtml

Teresa Bippert-Plymate said:

I think that's what might have gotten my hams. When it's this cold,
I will go out and run, but I'm bundled up more, and if I get hot,
I just slow down some, open a few vents, etc.

I'm still figuring out what works best for me under what conditions, but
something I do now is be sure my legs are warm. For me, I've found it
keeps my motion more fluid and less likely to injure myself. I might be
more comfortable with less on my legs, but they rarely get so warm that
I'm uncomfortable. Occasionally, yes, but frequently that doesn't happen
until an hour into a 1.5-2 hr run. I've underdressed a couple times, and
the leg motion just wan't normal, and tended to pound the ground more.
But that's me. YMMV.

Dot

--
The goal is training and adaptation, not destruction and injury.
- John Hardy
http://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/misc/training.shtml