Time for the latest installment of “Which state is Mike
running a marathon in now?” Marathon #21 and State #18 are in the books!
For the second half of my training for Indy (nearly 2
months), I was battling through IT Band problems. When I could barely make 5
miles on one of my long runs, I decided it was time to change my approach – and
that I needed help. I knew my problem and, with the help of my supportive wife,
checked myself into rehab. Physical therapy, that is. Turns out I was sort of
right about the source of my problems… I knew my hips were weak and a little
tight. Well, I came to learn that my hips (and IT Band) were tighter than Mick
Jagger’s leather pants! The PT described my IT Band as a “taut rope.” They
worked me hard, mostly with hip mobility after the initial “massaging” stage,
along with some core strengthening and full leg stretching. I was doing hip
circles, planks, and hamstring stretches. Monster Walks, Pigeons, and Fire
Hydrants. And, more recently, Spiderman Crawl :)
Needless to say, the PT has done me wonders, and hopefully I can keep up my
fitness and flexibility!
Anyway, back to the marathon. I was still able to do
minimized training, so I was still in pretty reasonable shape for the run. The
PT asked me to shave part of my leg so they could tape up my IT/knee for the
marathon a few days before (on the Thursday of). That was an interesting
experience… While I’m no expert on shaving my legs, I like to think I did a
pretty good job! So, I arrived in Indianapolis equipped with my pink
kinesio-taped leg and ready to go.
Saturday morning came, and we made our way to the start
area. It was a cool, crisp, 48 degrees (and didn't get any higher than 50) and my dad and I did our best to stay warm by sitting
by the fires or hanging out in the enclosed tents where the post-race picnic
was to be held. I was nervous, but this time was a different kind of nervous. I
wasn’t shooting for a PR or particular pace. This time I was nervous that I’d
end up with the dreaded “DNF” next to my name. I’m happy to say I avoided that!
I employed a run-walk strategy, at a reduced pace, starting
by running the first mile, then walking for 30 seconds. That transformed into
about 7 minutes of running, 30 seconds of walking for most of the way.
Sometimes during my walk breaks I would kick my right leg out to the side, as
sort of a walking hip circle, in an effort to keep it loose. I think it did
help. Around Mile 18, I started to tighten up a little more, and kept
adjusting my run/walk ration, until the last 3-4 miles when it became more of a
“run as able,” since my whole legs were tight by then! I had very little pain,
if any, due to my IT band though – and slowly jogged to the (decidedly uphill) finish,
claiming victory.
The course was mostly around the area of Fort Harrison State Park (Lawrence, Indiana), and was actually quite nice. The fall colors were out in force. It was
mostly flat-ish with a few rolling hills (one especially tough one), and could even
be a potential PR course for some. The weather, on the other hand, could have
been better – but it also could have been worse! It was cloudy, except for
about a half mile or so, and occasionally rather breezy, so it stayed chilly
throughout. When the sun went away after its brief cameo, I regretted tossing
my gloves aside. The race was well-organized and small. Afterward, we heard
from some people that the race may be nearing its end because of the much
larger marathon in downtown Indy around the same time, but it was mentioned in
the latest Runner’s World, so that might spark a crowd!
My time was 4:37:32, which is my third slowest marathon finish,
but it didn’t matter. I made it. Time to take a short break, and then start
training for the next one!
18 down, 32 to go…
Next stop: Phoenix, AZ
