Marathon Training Group Long Run #1

I ran with my marathon training group for the first time yesterday morning.  It was a really great experience and I'm excited to run with them again.

Our long runs start at 6:45am and are at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville.  Old School is absolutely beautiful.  The group meets in a parking lot by the big sled hill.  I arrived at around 6:40 and there were already lots of people there.  Most of the runners were wearing their hydration belts and I felt like a totally newbie since I literally jumped out of my car, grabbed my keys and put my shoe tag on.  Oops.

There were 8 of us total - 2 group leaders (Dave and a woman whose name I cannot remember), three guys (2 probably in their late 20s to late 30s and an older man probably in his 40s), two women (early 30s to early 40s?) and me.

We were supposed to run 5 miles only, but we ended up running 6 miles.  It was hard for us to keep a 10 minute mile pace since the weather was pretty awesome (mid 60s) and we were only doing 6 miles. We ended up running in 59 something for a 9:48 mile pace.  I tried to stick with my group leader Dave for the entire run and I tried very hard not to run in front of him.  Toward the end of my run other group members just went for it and ran ahead, but I stuck with him.

I learned a bit about the people that I ran with and it was pretty run.  The two guys in their 30s and the woman probably in her 30s (?) had run the Ragnar Relay in the beginning of June.  I believe all three of them were running the marathon for charity.  The marathon will be the women's first.  She got inspired to run it after Ragnar.  She's a teacher and lives in Grayslake.  One of the two men has an injury, but I couldn't detect what it was.  One of them has a wife that is a physical therapist.

One woman is training for her fourth (!) Chicago marathon.  I did not ask where she lives.  The other woman is from Highland Park and she had run a marathon when she was younger and she asked her husband to make sure she never ran one again.  She decided to try for it again this year.

I talked to other group members about my ITB pain, how to fix it, etc.

Toward the end of the run, I talked to my group leader a bit more.  I asked him how he is able to train his body to run at a 10 minute mile pace for miles at a time.  I told him a bit about my running background and he was impressed that I was able to run under 2 hours in the half.  He asked how old I was and he said that I was a "pup" and that I have a lot more time to get faster, etc.  He started running when he was in his late 40s and has since run 9 marathons.  He most recently ran the Big Sur Marathon.  I ran the Big Sur half in the fall so we had a bit to talk about regarding that.  Also, he asked me if I was Filipina and I said that I was.  His ex-wife was Filipino so we talked about the Philippines for a while.

After that, we stretched for a little bit and I ran another two miles with Dave and another guy named Gary who is 59 and has also run 9 marathons.  We chatted some more and I really just was in awe that they had run 9 marathons each.  I hope that I can accomplish that.

Overall, the run went really well.  I was glad to be running with people and I also was not worried about my pace or time since we had a group leader who was supposed to be focusing on that.  I could just focus on the run and enjoy the beautiful sites and scenery.  On the run, I saw a deer twice.  The trails were awesome!  They were a little challenging with some inclines.  I also enjoyed the shade from the trees around us.  And, my KT tape held up pretty well.  I still have to learn how to tape my ITB properly, but other than that, all went well.  :)  The legs feel OK today, but my ITB was a bit tight and pulled a little when I was walking.  I've got to use the foam roller to stretch it out.  

Can't wait for the next run!

Gear:

Total Miles: 8

Total Time: ? (and I'm perfectly OK with not knowing!)

Clothes: Green tempo track shorts and dark gray CARA tee shirts.  

Gear: Brook Adrenaline GTS 11's

Image Credit: http://chicago.blockshopper.com/news/story/800142282-Kellogg_Co_exec_lists_5BD_home_in_Mettawa