So I ripped off a 5 mile tempo run this morning in near record time (2nd best for the route). I saw a gal who works at Mrs. T's office out for a walk and one of my city commissioners out for a run. He lives down the street and was running the opposite direction from me over by the college. With about a mile to go in my run I heard these fast footfalls coming up behind me and it was the commish. He fell in with me and we did the last mile together. His pace had me breathing transparently (see breathing definitions here).
Okay. I need some opinions. Jeanne and Bex, I am sure, can point me to their own blog recaps of the Marine Corps Marathon. A guy at the track the other day, after I told him MCM was my target race, said I better be doing some serious hill training. I looked at him and reminded him we were in Florida, as in Flatlands. So the questions are: how hilly is the MCM? and do you think some daily stair climbing in my office building (nine floors) will help?
My name is David (Dylan to some). I am a runner.
Record Book
200m - 0:45.14, April 2007
400m - 1:35.58, June 2008
800m - 3:34.62, July 2007
1200m - 5:33.2, September 2005
1600m - 7:35.7, January 2007
1 mile - 7:24.0, August 2005
5K - 23:26.1, August 2005 I-Drive/U-Run, Orlando
10K - 49:46.5, November 2005 Founders Day, Orlando
12K - 1:07:20, February 2005 Outback Classic, Orlando
15K - 1:22:23, September 2008, Miracle Miles, Orlando
20K - 1:46:09, Labor Day 2005, New Haven
Half - 1:50:24, December 2005, OUC, Orlando
Marathon - 4:46:44, November 2007, New York
400m - 1:35.58, June 2008
800m - 3:34.62, July 2007
1200m - 5:33.2, September 2005
1600m - 7:35.7, January 2007
1 mile - 7:24.0, August 2005
5K - 23:26.1, August 2005 I-Drive/U-Run, Orlando
10K - 49:46.5, November 2005 Founders Day, Orlando
12K - 1:07:20, February 2005 Outback Classic, Orlando
15K - 1:22:23, September 2008, Miracle Miles, Orlando
20K - 1:46:09, Labor Day 2005, New Haven
Half - 1:50:24, December 2005, OUC, Orlando
Marathon - 4:46:44, November 2007, New York
8 comments:
I was under the impression that it was mostly flat with a hill at the end. I think that's why I signed up. Am I mistaken? Great job on your speedy tempo run.
I have a great idea—-plan another trip to CT to get in some hill training. :)
There's a long steep hill right at the start. The first two miles, which is kinda good, cuz it definitely keeps you from going out fast. The rest of it is relatively flat (and you know if there were hills, i'd be screaming about it daily!) There's a SLIGHT hill at the end, but it's not bad. It's bad only because it's at the end.
And from the girl who didn't know that powerade was the beverage of choice at the MCM, here's something I DO know: they have an elevation map!
I watched a film the other day called 'Running on the Sun' which is about the Badwater Ultra Marathon. The guy from Florida said he didn't have any hills to train on so he used bridges. Apparently the Florida bridges go up in a big arch so the boats can fit underneath. I no nothing of Florida geography so pardonnez-moi if you are nowhere near a bridge but if you are you might try that.
I wouldn't consider the MCM "hilly" -- it's pretty tame compared to a lot of courses. But if you train in in a flat area, then you'll notice the inclines more. And I do recall the very end being up up up. I second using bridges for hill workouts. I did that training in coastal Carolina and it worked quite well.
Can't believe 21st Century Mom watched "Running On the Sun" last week...I just did the same thing and yes, there was a Florida speed walker there to said "bridge training" was his hill work. Badwater is nuts...and amazing.
Thanks, again, for letting me piggy-back on your MCM training David...it should help me for MCM '07.
Plan a visit to TN and I'll show you some serious hills!!! Maybe there are some bridges you can do repeats on?
Hi there, you've got lots of comments now re whether MCM is hilly, so no need for me to go on and on about it. I do like 21st century mom's suggestion to run bridges. That will definitely help. Of course, stairs help, but I think the exaggerated form you have to take (lifting knees higher than you would normally when running uphill) could mean knee problems down the road if you're not careful.
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