Marathon Frenzy!!!

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:06 pm

Congratulations on your first marathon Alistair - a very creditable time as well.

alistairkbs · Post by **alistairkbs** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:19 pm

Thanks everyone.
I really wanted to do this.
I sat at the end and realised that 18 months ago I sat on an erg for the first time and got off after 2 mins breathless.
It can be done and I'll continue to work away at it but maybe its time for some shorter stuff !!!

Best wishes to all especially the charity guys from the weekend - sounds like quite a day.

Alistair

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:44 pm

alistairkbs wrote:I sat at the end and realised that 18 months ago I sat on an erg for the first time and got off after 2 mins breathless.

That sent tingles down my spine. Well done again Alistair.

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:50 pm

Agreed - really well done Alistair. Didn't realise it's only a year and a half since you first sat on an erg - major pat on the back for your achievement

Regards
Plummy

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:17 pm

Fantastic achievement Alistair. What a story - you're an example and an inspiration to all of us. Well done!!!!

Rita · Post by **Rita** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:51 am

Nice job Alistair! Congrats on finishing your first marathon.

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:07 am

Alistair, very well done on that first FM.

Great time and from the sound of it not many problems either.

If you've only been at this game for 18 months it makes the achievement all the more remarkable.

Now though time for a long, long rest and lots of sprints.

This will allow you to post some good CTC times this month (and let me catch up a bit!)

Well done again.

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:48 pm

Very well done Alistair!

It's not a trivial achievement - no matter how much you train for it etc, you only find out when you actually do it!

Great stuff - seems the marathon thingy is infectious!

(Wish I could walk properly now mind you!)

alistairkbs · Post by **alistairkbs** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:43 pm

Paul

Thanks

Greatweekend you organised - but for 4 teenage children having to be taxied around I would have joined you

Alistair

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:52 pm

Well done again Alistair. You have leapt above me on the board.

When I was warming down today I started thinking about marathon mode. Started rowing at 2:08 to see what my heart rate did following the maximal 2k...

So don't get too comfortable on the meter board. Marathon training starts on 13th November... Lots and lots of metres...

(This should probably be on the meter board banter thread

)

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:55 pm

You not rowing any of the other indoor races this season them, Thomas?

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:01 am

Much as I really don't want to do a marathon I think I might have to. Seems like so many people are giving it a go - How bad can it be

Rowed a 29k the other day to kind of get a feel for long distances and like Thomas had a longest blast at a 2:08 pace for a while to see. Can't imagine keeping it going for 3 hours though

Had to get up after an hour, quick walk around the garage got back in the saddle for another 30 mins, then off again then only managed a 20 minute stint then another walk around

All I can see happening towards the end of my maratthon attempt is that I'll spend more time wondering around the garage than actually rowing!!!!

PSims · Post by **PSims** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:01 pm

Jainser - I did 4 x 30k and a 35k before doing the marathon.
Prior to that I was regularly doing 20 - 25k every weekday morning for 2 months.

It makes NO difference - that extra 35 - 40 mins REALLY hurts.

Not trying to put you off - it's a really fantasic achievement as anyone who has done it will testify.

As Stan said to me there's nothing you can do to prepare for it - just try it.

Anyone know where I can get a new pair of legs?

Knee-Bay perhaps?

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:18 pm

Knee-Bay!!! Priceless

If you pace it slower, the last bit doesn't hurt, apart from being a bit more uncomfortable because of the seat. But you have to realise that there's quite a drop in pace required between 30k and 42k distance, and that you can't do the 30k fast and then slow down.

The problem is when you're trying to get a time at the same time. Your first marathon should be a 'just get it done', and not time obsessed. If it gets painful, get off and stretch. If you get thirsty, go have a drink. (And not a one-handed drink/choke like Paul and Stan were doing during our event

). Take enjoyment in the fact that the first one you do is the only time you can be this chilled, ever after, you'll be watching that clock. But the first one is just to get through, and completion is the achievement, not the time.

big dave k · Post by **big dave k** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:45 pm

you make it sound easy. i might do one tomorrow...

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 11:16 am

big dave k wrote:you make it sound easy. i might do one tomorrow...

Hmm thinking the same thing Big Dave K

(Thought I'd put 2 little confused fellas down as I'm really really not sure!!)

Post by **BorisZ** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:43 pm

Hmmm may be I should try as well...

Post by **BorisZ** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:02 pm

Done. 2:58:32.4
One break at 20k to go - 2 Oreo cookies and 500cc's water-apple juice mix with a smidgeon of salt in it.

alistairkbs · Post by **alistairkbs** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:04 pm

Well done Boris.

When will this madness stop?

Post by **BorisZ** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:12 pm

Thankyou, Alistair! I intend to crazy for while...I have to keep up with all the others in the asylum!

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 12:27 am

Boris - welcome to the madhouse, and well done!!! Excellent time too! Must have been the Oreo cookies...

Post by **BorisZ** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:45 am

Thanks, Mike! I paced at 25-26 SPM, negative splits throughout.
I reached "20k to go" with 2:08.8, then took that break - and had to recover from 2:10.3 - that was hard. I think next time I'll try and hit 2:06 by for the break, and then may be go on from 2:08 or so instead 2:10.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 1:33 pm

Congratulations BorisZ - that is an excellent time.
I will probably try another marathon in April with my eventual aim to go sub 3 hours which I believe is achievable - though it may take a couple more attempts.
By the way - what on earth are oreo cookies

Rita · Post by **Rita** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:18 pm

The madhouse is getting crowded!!

Today was my first (and not the last!!) attempt at the FM and I'm happy to say I'm still alive to post the tale.

I did it in 3 hr 28 min 38.9 sec and did not need any breaks. ~ 3K I would row one-handed or stop for a few seconds to drink some water and eat a few grapes, however my butt stayed on the erg the whole time.

I can row HM at ~ 2:20 pace, but heeding Mike's advice I tried to keep it at ~ 2:30 and I set the splits for 3000 m, since that is what I am used to seeing when I do 15K rows. Fortunately the Detriot Lions-Miami Dolphins football game was good and I also broke up the distance into ~ 2.5K pieces which for me equals ~ 5 minutes of football time.

My split times kept dropping as time when on and when I reached the 12K left point (1 hr of rowing for me) I just let my body dictate the pace and rowed around 2:23-2:25, the last 3K I was able to do around 2:23. After that, I still had enough left to do a slow 4K cool-down.

I am quite pysched about doing my first FM in less than 3.5 hr (I was thinking more like 3:45), still having energy left after it, and seeing that I burned 2300 (2500 with the cool-down) calories.

So I guess the next thing to try is the 50K

.

Post by **Thomas W-P** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:35 pm

Well done Rita - that is pretty much my time for a FM (the pre Free Spirits me

).

I am building up for a FM before Christmas and am aiming for sub 3 hours...

I vaguely remember training for a FM being discussed on the forum somewhere and am doing more "hour" rowing in preparation, and the odd HM. I am doing the training all on heart rate - lots of UT2 and UT1 work.

I guess I need to do a 30km some time too.

Does that sound right all you marathon experts?

Marathon Frenzy!!!

Congrats

JFDI!