26.2 Blues – My 1st Marathon
This is for all runners, whether you are running a marathon, a 5K, or around the block…every fitness level —as all of us, when we are sick we might choose “listen to our body”, or push through because we are pig-headed and stubborn (me) – neither are to be judged, but it’s a good idea to be mindful of other considerations that are important. I believe myself to be an intermediate runner and I did not know any better, so perhaps this will help someone out from experiencing what I had to go through. My heart rate was through the roof for an extended period of time while running my very first marathon. I didn’t “hit a wall”, I didn’t bonk…I was still healing from being sick the month prior. The most ridiculous thing is that I had no idea. I didn’t know until two days later when I finally got on Garmin to review my stats. I knew that my flop of a race was due to being sick but I did not know how bad it truly was.
Educating ourselves on what our target heart rate is, and what our maximum heart rate should be…AND KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS DATA WHILE RUNNING (which I did not do) is probably a wise thing to do, most especially if you have been sick. Coach and I chatted and she was amazed at how low my heart rate had been throughout all of my training…18, 20, 22, 22, 23 miles…and even my speed work. I felt the same and trusted that I was good. Just, “duh”! I am duhing myself, yes. This could have been a very serious mistake. Like my dad always said, “almost” isn’t enough, but a lesson was indeed learned, a lesson I feel impelled to share.
Like my dad always said, “almost” isn’t enough, but a lesson was indeed learned, a lesson I feel impelled to share.
Without even pushing myself and staying within the slower intervals the Coach suggested I use, I hit a PR for my half marathon time and NOT because I ran too fast out of the gate, but because I increased my speed that much over a course of almost a year through my extensive training (of course, I have to celebrate whatever success I can out of this nightmare!). Initially I felt great – ran the first four miles with a friend, I was glowing (little did I know why….), but I started to deteriorate fast… A few more miles down the horrible route (yes, it was bad, believe me–trail here, cone here, out and back here, very few clear markings) I felt like I was going to fall out. I thought I was dying, literally, but still I did not look at my heart rate. At mile 16 I had no choice but to walk, and walk I did, the last grueling ten miles….and slowly, too. Each step was tortuous. I am not one to give up, but I felt that I had no choice. Unfortunately or fortunately, I had no way of giving up so I trudged onward. I still did not look at my heart rate but I am grateful my body had more sense than I did. My heart rate ideally when maxed should be between 160-170 and I was at over 190 for two plus hours, my highest being 208. Not cool.
When we are healing from being sick our heart rate increases to counteract the inflammation in the body from an infection or virus. This is also made worse if dehydrated, when under stress, and with increased adrenalin, all of which occurs in a race.
I was playing with fire and I was absolutely clueless.
Below I have included photos of my different practice runs in comparison with my marathon. You can visibly see the differences. I was sick for over half of the month prior to my race. However, the “hay was in the barn”, meaning that I got in all of my training, and then some, so, other than being ill, I was good to go. Or so I thought.
The above is a long run I did before I became sick.. I ran for five hours at my easy pace, for a total of 23.28 miles. Sometimes I stop to take pictures and then increase my speed in bursts so that is why I was in a higher hear rate zone for some time, I believe. But overall, a great run.
This is another easy run…pace slow, heart rate zones low, it looks great.
The above is a speed workout I did two days after my long run. Even running at my fastest interval my heart rate still did not get above level 4 – “threshold”.
My marathon….there was absolutely no reason for maximum heart rate for 2.5 hours, 38%. I started out in at my normal easy/aerobic level, did not exceed my slower interval to start the race, the temperature was lower, too. This is due to being sick and the inflammation still in my body. At mile 16 I was done with all running and could only manage a slow walk to the finish.
This is my experience. You don’t have to take my word for it, obviously, but please do your own research. It’s out there!
