Rhett

Phoenix Marathon

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Location:

Lake Havasu City,AZ,

Member Since:

Sep 29, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

23 marathons

6 Bostons (2007-2011, 2017)

3 Half Ironmans

2 Ironmans

3 50 Milers

1 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim

Marathon PR:

     2:59:00 St. George 2008

     2:58:03 Boston 2010

 1/2 Marathon PR:

     1:25:41  Havasu Half 2009

     1:24:09 Painter's St.George 2010

 Half Ironman PR:

      5:25:02  HITS Havasu 2014

5K PR:

       18:23  LHC Turkey Trot 2014

        18:22  LHC Turkey Trot 2017

50 mile PR:

        7:56:14 Avalon50 2016

Short-Term Running Goals:

Break 3 hours again

Doing it a Boston would be sweet!

It was sweet!

UPCOMING RACES

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Have fun!

 

Personal:

Married

4 kids

Optometrist

 

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Salomon Sense Pro 4 Lifetime Miles: 320.00
Salomon Ultra Pro Lifetime Miles: 387.00
NB 1500 V6 Lifetime Miles: 219.00
Adizero Pro Lifetime Miles: 57.00
Hoka Clifton 8 Lifetime Miles: 346.00
Brooks Ghost 14 Lifetime Miles: 343.00
Brooks Ghost 14 #3 Lifetime Miles: 163.00
Inov8 G270 Lifetime Miles: 20.00
Race: Phoenix Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:39:51
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
13.1013.100.000.000.0026.20

Phoenix Marathon

The best part of the day was seeing Smooth at the start. She is so amazining and it lifted my spirits to see her and get to talk to her for a while. 

I wasn't sure what to expect since I only really ran 1 time in the four weeks previous to the marathon due to some severe tibial pain in my left leg.  I did do a lot of elliptical work though and hoped that would be enough to maintain the training level I was at 4 weeks earlier.  I believe I was in 3 hour marathon shape 4 weeks ago and hoped I still was, but as I quickly found out, the elliptical can maintain the cardio system just fine, but the muscles needed to absorb the pounding of running, especially down hill, just don't stay maintained like running. 

If I hadn't stopped running I wouldn't have been able to make it even a mile though I am sure since even a week out I was still experiencing pain with even mild attempts at running slow for a few seconds.  I was super happy as I got started on the race and found that I had no pain.

I ran with my training partner Jeff.  We decided to shoot for 3 hours and see how it went.  At 9 miles I realized my legs were thrashed, so I wished Jeff well and slowed down. At that point we were on pace for 3 hours.  I hit the half at 1:33 so just 3 minutes off pace, but the wheels had already come off and I was in survival mode. 

The second half of the marathon was terrible.  My quads and calfs were completely trashed, I was in a lot of pain, but I was so happy to be out there running without the tibia pain that I was able to continue on, just very slowly.  I mecifully finished at 3:39:51.

I learned that there is no substitution for running.  I also am determined to get in a good year of running then do this marathon over.  The organization of the event was fabulous.  The course is very friendly.  The race shirts are sweet.  And I need a redo on this race.

Comments
From Kam on Mon, Mar 04, 2013 at 11:03:12 from 68.66.163.179

You definitely didn't get a fair shake at this course, Rhett. Sorry about the tibia issue.

From timp on Mon, Mar 04, 2013 at 14:14:18 from 159.63.144.194

sorry things didn't pan out - how is the leg?

From Teena Marie on Mon, Mar 04, 2013 at 15:56:21 from 75.165.251.79

You definitely need a redo!! :)

Still, when you think about it, 3:39 with no running for 4 weeks is pretty amazing! :)

From DaleG on Tue, Mar 05, 2013 at 20:05:25 from 152.216.11.5

Great attitude, Rhett!!! Very impressive time with no running for nearly a month. I also agree with you that there is no sustitute for real running. Even treadmill running isn't as good as outside running, as I have noticed over the years.

From Rhett on Wed, Mar 06, 2013 at 16:17:47 from 74.41.239.14

Kam, thanks, I'll give it another shot next year.

Tim, my leg felt perfect for the first time in about 6 weeks on race morning and still feels fine.

Teena, I really thought doing the elliptical hard core would serve me better.

Dale, yep the elliptical kept the cardio system fine, but didn't maintain the leg muscles.

From timp on Wed, Mar 06, 2013 at 18:38:26 from 99.110.188.230

glad your leg is doing well

From Burt on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 00:47:24 from 72.223.80.89

Way to tough it out! I hope you saw some more cool people while you were there.

From Smooth on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 21:49:53 from 71.35.240.19

Rhett ~ I was so happy you spotted me and we were able to visit before the race! :) I think the world of you! Thank you for your kindness and friendship! :) :) :)

Larry was bummed that he missed seeing Doone at the finish and missed watching you run in! :(

I am so glad you were able to run this marathon without any tibial pain. I agree that this is a good race to come back next year. Way to not throw in the towel...such GREAT attitude! You will crush this race next year! All the best!!! :) :) :)

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