Marathon- disaster- Did Not Finish

[underpants]

I was as ready as I have ever been for the distance. Fit in every way.

at mile 4 my wife, Josie, and my mom were there. I stripped off my long-sleeve t-shirt under my racing shirt and told my wife, "It's weird I just don't feel very good"

at mile 10 I was right on pace- 10:00 miles
stopped to walk up a hill coming off the river
by mile 12 I realized that I just didn't want to run anymore. I was just basically burned out or something.

I made it to mile 16 ripped off my number and walked back to the finish (10 blocks) got my bag and called my wife to pick me up.

Very disappointed in myself. I told Josie "Daddy quit today" that is part of the sports world she needs to know about too. I am just pissed that it was ME that had to show it to her.

[KG]

1. it happens.

don't beat yourself up over it. fitness should been fun and spiritual, not measured by a clock. IMNSHO

[underpants]

3. Yeah, I know

I was just trying to gauge how I was doing with time.

I usually don't time myself but the entire running industry is geared towards it (on-line training logs etc.) so I am more aware of it than I have been back when I just ran for running not for marathons.

I think I will hit the pool again this winter.

[gmoney]

2. dude, you ran 16 freakin' miles...

I'm trying to restart a "fitness" program, and I'm considering it an accomplishment to walk a mile. Being able to run 16 times that would be a dream.

Count your blessings... you're obviously in good health, have a wife and daughter who love and support you.

No disaster here. A disappointment, maybe.

[hippywife]

4. Sorry you weren't feeling well,

but as everyone has said, don't beat yourself up over it. Sixteen miles is nothing to sneeze at.

Hope you aren't coming down with a bug or something. :hi:

[Orrex]

5. If it makes you feel any better...

I usually like to pull over for a few minutes after I've driven sixteen miles. You know... To have some bacon and a milkshake or two.

That's one heck of a run!

[Chan790]

6. For shame...

Bacon is pig. Science has recently proven that pigs are smarter than Freepers. If the scientific community is going to insist that Freeps are "intelligent life" then pigs must also by necessity be also considered to be intelligent life; I question whether is it morally-valid for people to eat intelligent life.

(I am only-somewhat-serious as I am legitimately a vegetarian, but I'm also cracking a joke on Freepers and pointing out that pigs recently have been shown to dramatically-smarter than previously thought. No emoticon says all that.)

[Orrex]

7. Freepers are too full of gristle and bullshit

[seemunkee]

8. Sorry you didn't finish

Damn good effort, but some days you just don't have it.. You're in great shape, don't lose it by slacking off over the winter. It's hard to get back into shape than to stay there.

[petronius]

9. That's really a bummer, but I honestly think disaster is a bit harsh

Sixteen miles plus all the training is quite an acheivement, and that's probably the more valuable lesson for your daughter (especially since you're going to stick with it and crush the next marathon).

That 'burn out' feeling is weird - I've never understood why sometimes you can completely want to do something, be totally prepared, know you're able, and yet when you get started it's like you're slogging through quicksand. :shrug:

[Lars39]

10. You listened to your body/yourself...*that* is a good lesson to pass on.

afwiw, I am in awe of your 16 miles. :)

[Captain Hilts]

15. YES!!! If more runners did that, there would be fewer injuries and more happy runners.

I did 6 miles yesterday. It was beautiful. Perfect weather. Cloudy, cool, only slightly breezy. Fall colors.

[Midlodemocrat]

11. Smart move my friend. Your body was talking to you.

You've done it before and you'll do it again. Maybe next time the weather will be better.

:hug:

[Flaxbee]

13. I agree 100% with Midlo and Lars -- you listened to your body and it

was telling you not to push it today.

Probably the smartest thing you could have done.

Bulling through just to finish when everything in you is telling you today wasn't the day would have been foolish. You know the difference between not wanting to do it and making excuses, and just not having it feel right.

[underpants]

16. slick as eel $#!%

the leaves on the wet pavement made it feel like I was spinning my wheels and I WAS at pace-lots of energy spent but then everyone was going through that. I was actually pouring PowerAde on the ground at the water stops and stepping in it to get traction. I didn't consider that when I chose my shoes(though even the newer pair may not have helped).

[Captain Hilts]

17. I gave up the GWParkway 15K because it's often THE first warm, humid weekend. I don't like

running in the heat or humidity. I have to adjust to it gradually.

I'm a cold weather runner.

[Walk away]

12. Maybe it's about anxiety and competition and not ability.

Could be why you didn't feel well. I don't think being so hard on yourself helps in a situation like that. Teaching your kids how to deal with stress and competition would be an even better lesson than calling yourself a quitter.

[Captain Hilts]

14. Shit. But running is like that. You can have those days when your body says 'no'. nt