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SRRC Race Reports

Marine Corps Marathon, Arlington, VA —October 29, 2006
by Muthu Sellappagounder

Year 2005

Marathoner . . .

It all started during summer and fall of 2005 when my mother-in-law came to help us when our daughter was born. I accompanied my mother-in-law who had to walk everyday because of her by-pass surgery. We used to walk around Little River School at South Riding for about 1-2 miles in the morning before I went to work. I did that for few months and got bored with walking—I wanted to run. So I started looking for some one to run with. After reading about the local running club in South Riding Magazine, I came out one Saturday to check out SRRC. I met number of runners that day and kept coming for a few weeks to run with SRRC. By that time winter started. 2005 was gone and 2006 had started.

Year 2006

Once the cold weather went away in April 2006, I started coming back to Starbucks to run regularly. I signed up to host some of the SRRC weekend runs, and that made me to commit to show up. Then on one Saturday I ran with Maria Little for 2 miles without stopping for the first time. She told me that if I run slowly I could run for a long distance without walking.

During that time SRRC runners started signing up for Army 10 Miler. The number of people signing up kept growing. I wasn't sure about whether to sign up or not. By that time I was able to run 6-7 miles on weekends without any problem. That gave me the confidence to sign up for both the Army Ten Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon.

Now the question is how to train to run Marine Corps Marathon?

As a first step, I started by reading all the race reports from the SRRC web site and some more marathon training materials from the Internet. I picked up a standard 4-month training schedule and followed it.

Training—Phase 1

I completed my first phase of the training just by showing up at Starbucks on Saturday and running with SRRC as well as running at least 2 other weekdays. It was smooth, and at the end of my first phase, I was able to run 12 miles as my long run on Saturdays.

Training—Phase 2

Phase 2 training called for long runs anywhere between 12 to 20 miles on Saturdays. I decided to join with the Loudoun Road Runners' long-distance group for the long runs during the 2nd phase of my training. Long runs went very well except the one 20-mile run where I had pain in my leg, which turned out to be from my IT band*. Thanks to all the LRR runners who supported my long runs, and special thanks go to Phil and Siva who provided the motivation and advice for my long runs. During training runs had blisters and leg chafing. I was able to take care of the problem by wearing proper socks and running wear.

Race Day

Finisher . . .

I was well prepared to touch the finish line at least mentally. But I was worried. I had a hard time at the Army 10 Miler due to IT band pain which had started during a 20 miler the week before ATM.

Ranjith and I left south riding around 5AM on race day and reached the Pentagon parking lot around 6:45 a.m. We killed about an hour and a half by drinking, eating, and doing warm up stretches. By the time we started the race, the weather was perfect. Again my goal was to finish with out struggling a lot.

I started slow and reached the 5, 10, and 15 mile marks as planned. I was expecting to feel that IT band pain after 15 miles and have hard time finishing. I think all the long runs I did and 3 weeks of rest really helped me to hit the finish line without any pain. After crossing the 15 mile mark, my pace was slow and steady with minor foot pain. Ranjith’s company after 15 miles was great. We motivated each other and hit the finish line with joy.

Over all it was a good first marathon run for me. I had foot pain for few days after the marathon, but I was completely recovered within a week by taking little rest and doing some stretches. This wonderful marathon run is going to stay in mind throughout my life.

I want to share some of the lessons learned which may help first time marathon runners:

Training is very important. Don’t underestimate the benefits of long training runs.
3 weeks of rest before the marathon is also equally important as long runs.
Wear proper shoes, socks, and running wear.
Mentally prepare yourself that you can do it. That will help throughout your training and during actual marathon run.

I also want to thank everyone who helped me to train and successfully finish my first marathon. I'll finish my race report with few quotes, which I used in my Toastmasters speech "Training for a Marathon" a few months back.

– Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is some of us are training and some are not! — From the Internet
– Run slowly, run daily, drink moderately, and don't eat like a pig! — Dr. Ernest van Aaken
– Listen to your body. Do not be a blind and deaf tenant! — Dr. George Sheehan
– Never, never, never, never give up! — Winston Churchill
– A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you've done it, you feel that you can do anything! — From the Internet.

October 2006

* IT Band--iliotibial band, which runs along the outside of the thigh between the hip and knee. Runners will sometimes feel pain or aching on the outer side of the knee when the IT band gets irritated.

The SRRC would love to hear about your running, racing, or crewing experiences! If you would like to submit a race report, to be posted on the SRRC website, please email srrunner@srrunners.org.