Milwaukee Marathon

3:56:45


First of all, thanks to Lindsay for putting up with my training schedule this summer and fall. Between work, classes, photo shoot and running, it has been taxing on all of us. You are the best!

This is my first marathon. In preparation for this I started out on the Higdon Advanced I schedule, but that didn't work out well for me so after a few weeks I just ran what I felt like.

Here is my log

3 runs over 20 and a few in the high teens. The last 20 miler felt pretty good and I was finally feeling like I was ready for the marathon. I ran my long runs at about 9:00min/mi. which is about 45-60 seconds slower than my planned marathon pace. This seemed to work out well for me. I needed zero recovery time after my 20+ runs and I never got to the point of feeling burnt out.

On my last 20, I had some Sport Beans courtesy of Golden Legs. They were really good, so much better than any Gel I've had. So on the way up to Milwaukee, we stopped to get some from the Jelly Belly store.

Me as Linds was dropping me off



The race started great I ran a typical, if not slow, half for me of 1:46:32. So I was on perfect planned pace. I was feeling good, no surprises.

At a couple spots along the route, Mary, Trish, John and Greg were there with signs and everything. This was a great pick-me-up. That was really great to see some familiar faces cheering me on.

Thanks to Trish for this one:


Here is my Garmin data

As you can see, I was doing well until mile 18. That was when my left knee started to hurt. It was on the outside of my left knee, I was sure it would subside after another mile or so.......but it did not.

It got worse and worse.

At one point I actually stopped and sat in the grass on the side of the road and tried to stretch it out. That didn't work either.

I started having crazy thoughts: "I'll just call Lindsay at the next place I see and she can pick me up." or "I'll make it to 20. 20 is enough. 20 is plenty."

Those evil thoughts subsided and I just kept on truckin' slowly. I walked some during all of the last 6 miles. I think it is ITBS, I had a little problem with this during training, but nothing like this.

I realized at mile 24 that I could walk the rest and still be under 4 hours, and that made me really happy. Which then energized me a little bit.

I was very glad when it was all over. I got my medal and saw Linds and the kiddies and made my way around the crowd to meet up with them.

Kids awaiting my arrival


Here I am relieved to be finished


Cool shirt


2 Alieve and my legs hurt much less, but this is going to take some recovery.

Before this race I was supremely confident that I could run a 3:40, if not faster. That did not work out for me. I thought my training and nuitrition were good. The weather was awesome. The race was awesome, great scenery, great support and everything you could ask for.

What went wrong? Obviously the knee was my main problem. I swore I would not go out too fast and I didn't think I did, but I guess I was wrong.

As the great Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur said "I shall return"

Thanks for reading