project262.com | Marathon Training for Patrick O'Brien

July 9, 2005, 7:00am: The Third Lap is Always the Worst

GOAL: 13.5 miles RESULTS:
13.5 miles

LOCATION: Creve Coeur Park, Maryland Heights, Missouri

CONDITIONS: 75°-88°, clear skies and humid

SUMMARY: TIME: 2:27:07
PACE: 10:53/mile

HEART: 149 or 80%

TOTAL TRAINING MILES TO DATE (walking & running): 362 miles

I Should Have Woke Up Earlier
I called Weatherline at 314-321-2222 first thing when I got up at 6:00am, and it said the temps were already 72°. I didn't expect it to be this hot so early. I was expecting temps in the low to mid 60s.

Using My New Gear
So, last night, I tried to figure out how to use my Timex GPS watch, and I thought I had it figured out...at least the heart rate part. I didn't get a chance to use the GPS, since I was inside. I strapped on the heart rate monitor around my chest, hoping it wouldn't make me uncomfortable or cause major chafing during the run. I put on the new watch, tied the GPS unit onto my water belt and put the data recorder in my pocket. I was ready to try out the new equipment.

The Run
I turned on the data recorder and GPS unit, then hit the trail. In the first minute, a horsefly attacked my head, and I immediately freaked out! I was having flashbacks from last week's Mile 16. I did NOT want to deal with horseflies again. Luckily he flew off right away. The heart monitor worked great! I kept a consistent 149 beats per minute. A few times when I felt I was pushing myself up hills or running faster, I'd check the watch, and my heart rate was in the upper 150s. It got as high as 163bpm from what I could see. Knowing my heart rate helped keep me on a constistent pace. For some reason the GPS unit didn't sync up with the watch at all, but I didn't want to mess with it during the run. I was happy with the results from the heart monitor. The first 5.5 mile loop was pretty easy. Coach Rich joined me on the second loop, which was 4 miles. I hadn't taken a walk break, but around Mile 8, I took one with Rich and downed a GU (the nasty red berry one). The third loop--also 4 miles--was the most difficult one. We stopped for a quick water fillup, and I drank an entire bottle of ice cold water in about 3 seconds before filling the rest of my bottles. I felt that water in me for a long time. That wasn't the smartest move, but I couldn't control myself...I needed the cold water! The temps really shot up, and I was getting pretty exhausted in the last couple miles. My heart rate was averaging in the upper 150s, which was about 10 beats faster per minute than when I started the run. I ended up taking 4 walk breaks in all. When I finished the run, I poured ice cold water on my washcloth and just soaked in it. I drank a lot of water...to the point where my stomach was bulging and I was feeling sick. I made a couple trips to the park's bathroom, but I didn't throw up or anything. I just had some major cramps that needed to be walked out. Even Coach Glen asked me if I was alright or not. He said I looked pretty whipped from the run.

Birthday Cake...What a Surprise!
Coach Rich brought a birthday cake for me this morning! How cool is that! It was a carrot cake from Dierbergs. I was so exhausted from the run, I couldn't eat anything for a while. He told me to take the cake with me when I left, so I didn't bite into it until I got home and took a nice shower.

Can I Beat Oprah?
After the run, Coach Glen asked me if I had any goals for this marathon. Finishing it would be nice. That's all I can hope for, since this is my first marathon ever. Glen said he had three goals: to finish the marathon alive, to beat Oprah, and to finish anywhere between 4:01 and 4:29. I never thought about the Oprah thing. Hmm. I went home and checked online to find her marathon time, and her website says it's 4:29:20. That's a pace of 10:13/mile. That may be tough, since my average is around 10:30/mile. I'd have to lose a lot more weight if I want to come close. I'll be happy with just finishing for now. Maybe the Oprah goal is good for the St. Louis Marathon in April 2006.

THOUGHTS: I am a much better runner in cooler weather. It was obvious after today. I need to get up earlier for next Saturday's 18-miler. If I start at 5:30am, I can be finished hopefully before 9:00am, when it really starts getting hot!

WHAT I'LL
REMEMBER MOST: Playing with the heart monitor. I can't wait to get the GPS unit working!

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	TODAY'S PHOTOS

	July 9: My birthday cake from the Arthritis Foundation. It's a carrot cake! They brought it to the run, and the heat melted one side. No one dug into it at the park, so they asked me to take it home.