Comments on: Frederick Marathon Mini Race Report

By: Mike Fox

Mike Fox — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:49:51 +0000

Steve – Great race and great race report! First in the Masters Division…way to go!!! I can’t even fathom running towards the front of the pack at this point. Perhaps I’ll have a shot at Age Group placing when I’m 70 or 80 and the only runner in my age group

Truly, I have mixed emotions about how I ran this weekend. I’m happy because I finished – and finishing the first marathon is a big achievement. Also, I finished with my initial goal time of 5 hours which was great. However, I’m not happy with the way I ran the race…a 30 min disparity between the first half and second half.

However, I think about the first time (OK, two times) I ran Half Marathons and I did the same thing – too fast at first and paid for it at the end. By my third Half Marathon I knew how to pace myself better and enjoyed it a lot more.

I hope to meet you at another race soon!

By: Nat

Nat — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:00:01 +0000

Wow! Crumb Run Steve that is quite an impressive race you knocked out there. Congrats! I dream about such races–well I don’t entertain such speed–but the strength and execution part I always hope for. Not yet, but maybe someday.

By: Bill Carter

Bill Carter — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:35:20 +0000

Hi Steve

I was and still am absolutely blown away by your race report. I can only hope that some day I will be able to run the way you do. I know I could learn a ton from you on just how to run naturally… how to let your body dictate pace instead of focusing so much on splits. Boston ‘08 was my fifteenth marathon, but I’ve only been running for around 5 years. Reading your race report (and your blog for that matter!) makes me realize how far I have to go.

Congrats again on such a great race and exemplifying what it means to be a MARATHONER.

BTW, thank you so much for being so encouraging on my blog. I appreciate the comments from anyone who chooses to make them, but coming from a runner like yourself is truly an honor for me.

Bill

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:47:20 +0000

Thanks Charlie! Your race schedule in the last month has been most impressive but very hectic – Monument Avenue 10k, Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon, Country Music Marathon and of course yesteday’s Frederick Marathon.

I know you’re going to have an excellent summer after building a great base over the winter months.

Great race yourself on a pretty challenging course!

–Steve

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:37:03 +0000

Awesome race Steve!

As always, a very well executed race and great pacing!

Congratulations!
Charlie

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:27:07 +0000

Baltimore would be fun. I haven’t signed up for the double though and am planning a return to Richmond in November instead.

I’ve emailed a link to my photos and also a Frederick News Post slideshow.

Recover well,

–Steve

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:00:27 +0000

Great report on a great race. What a day it turned out to be! I wish I’d run more even splits, but I certainly have no regrets. I’ll chalk it up to experience and hope to learn for my next one (Are you going to complete the MD double and run Baltimore?). Is there any way you could email me any really good pictures your daughter took? It looks like she took some nice ones. On a side note, I ran one of my best races at a “predicted time” event where we weren’t allowed to wear watches (the Steeplechasers’ Lewis 10 miler). Funny how that can work when you run on feel.
Great job on your run!
peace,
Jay

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:29:56 +0000

Hey Karsten – great race to you too! I guess I’m a bit too competitive, but just took inspiration from the moment I drew level and exchanged a few words with you.

Based on previous Frederick results, I didn’t expect to finish where I finished either – it was a total surprise.

Thanks for the comment and congrats for hanging in there!

–Steve

By: Karsten Brown

Karsten Brown — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:16:16 +0000

The runner you passed who was “worried about the hills”– that was me, I believe. You misread me, though… I hadn’t “psyched myself out” for the hilly section. I wasn’t even concerned about being passed…. I’m not that competitive. Heck, I didn’t even know there was prize money being given out! (I certainly didn’t expect to be anywhere near the top five.)

It’s just that I was starting to realize, based on how I was feeling around the time you passed me, that I’d invested a bit too much in the first half of the course. It seemed likely that I was going to “wall” it well before making it back to the fairgrounds, and that turned out to be the case. All the energy drained out of me very quickly around mile 20, and I struggled from there… I couldn’t even take much advantage of the downhills back into town. Lost a full minute per mile off of my earlier pace.

Kind of a dumb miscalculation on my part, and I should’ve known better given my familiarity with the course. But, well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Once in a while you have to go out on a limb, even if it means the branch might break (as it did for me on Sunday).

Anyway, congratulations on your finish and your excellent performance!

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:24:34 +0000

Thanks Blaine. Yeah, I’d love to know what my splits were. Would make for interesting reading I’m sure.