My Goal
I randomly signed up for the LA Marathon with my friend Kyle 3 months before the race. With only a few 10 mile runs under my belt I thought I was ready. When I signed up, I had a goal: 3:55. To be completely honest, 3:55 with 3 months of prep time is hella ambitious.
The Injury
Around mid-December I got a leg injury that took me out. No running for four weeks Just rest, rehab, and watching the marathon date get closer and closer.
The Catch-Up
I tried to play catch-up.
Don't ever play catch-up.
I told myself I needed at least two weeks to rest before the race. That left me two weeks to cram in as much volume as I could. I was running about 26 miles each of those weeks which was doable and each week I did a half marathon. I knew I could push through if I could run a half with no pain. Which is what I did. But nothing could have prepared me for mile 20.
Race Day
I crossed the finish line in 4:26:14.
Over thirty minutes off my goal. And honestly I'm really happy with it.
Here's how the race actually went down. The first 13 miles were easy. I PR'd the half marathon without even trying. I was making really good time and feeling like I could meet my goal.
By mile 20, the undertrained miles started adding up. My legs were heavy in a way I'd never felt before. And the thing about the LA Marathon course, around that 20-mile mark, you can actually see the finish line. You can see runners ahead of you crossing it. It looks so close. But it's not. Each step sent sharp pain through my legs causing me to walk a lot.
But then something happened on the second-to-last mile. A complete stranger walked up to me and just started hyping me up. No context and no reason, just encouragement and hype from one runner to another. Next thing you know I started running again all the way to the finish line.
What's Next?
I plan on signing up for the Dallas Marathon in December, and the goal is 3:30.
The LA Marathon showed me exactly where my gaps are. I know what a real training cycle needs to look like. Now I have actual time to train the right way.
