Locorunner: 3:32 at 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon

This years Houston marathon was definitely a mind over body issue. If there is any marathon I was not prepared for, it's definitely this one. My training mileage leading up to this marathon averaged 16 miles per week for the last 3 months. There were several weeks that had a Big Fat ZERO in the total weekly mileage column. Preparing for this marathon brought with it several problems such as running injuries, illnesses (colds) and lack of time.  After going back to browse thru some of my old race reports (included in this website) I can tell that this is a common problem with my marathon preparation. I can't really rule out the lack of motivation in slacking off on the miles. After 18 marathons, the joy of running seems to diminish with the miles. I can't really say that running 50 mile weeks is something that i look forward to.  Regardless, I have all the statistics from previous marathons and they all point to the same thing - HIGH MILEAGE WEEKS leads to the BEST MARATHON TIMES. In my case that number is about 45 to 55 miles per week. Maybe I can find the motivation somewhere to do this again.

One of the reasons I believe I ran into some problems with running injuries was due to my lack of leg strength training. Anaerobic training was pretty much non existent. I usually try to do some type of leg work at least once per week during my marathon training to build up my leg muscles to prevent injuries. Due to lack of time, I felt running was more important. It's essential to have strong calf, quad, and hamstring muscles to prevent injury and support the proper knee function. It's amazing how something as simple as lunges can do to build leg muscles to help prevent injury. 

This years marathon was run in what I believe to be one of the most comfortable and best fitting running shoes I have ever worn. I used the Mizuno Wave Riders. I finished the marathon without a single blister, problem nails, no hot foot or not a single foot problem. The shoes were such a non-issue that I never even thought about it the entire race. Actually, I did think about it one time around mile 22 when I was evaluating my body pain and what hurt the most. I thought: "how great - no foot pain". I am definitely sold on these shoes and will continue to use as long as they are available.

With no speed work in any of my marathon training, I initially planned to run a steady 8 minute mile pace. I started off right on pace and at mile 2, I saw an opportunity early on to hit the porta potty (there was no line). From that point on I felt great. It was like a training run. However, I had not gone more than 15 miles in any of my long runs so I was really concerned at what would happen at mile 15. Mile 15 came and mile 16, 17 and 18 went by. Around, mile 17 I did start feeling a general achiness in my lower body. I can't really say it was any specific muscle - just a general overall soreness in my lower body. I managed to concentrate on keeping good form and kept running with the flow. Did not want to stop in fear of cramping up. Up to this point I had managed to keep a 7:57 pace. Mile 20 came and passed. At mile 21, I passed by the Michelob truck with a table full of beer cups. I glanced over and was almost tempted to stop and have a beer. That would have been a first for me. I opted not to because of fear of cramping. Mile 22 was my WALL. The lower body leg pain had got so bad that I stopped to stretch for about 20 seconds to see if it would help. Felt good to walk, but I could feel the cramps coming so i quickly started running again. From mile 22 to 25 I stopped to stretch and walk for about 30 seconds per stop. Last mile was run all the way in. Good form and a smile for the camera and a quick showing of my guns. Marathon #18 finished and in the books. I am also now a Houston Marathon Veteran - so no more lottery for me!

I usually do a list of things I could have done better. This is getting kind of old but my lesson learned this time again is "RUN MORE". 16 mile average weeks is not going to cut it for a PR marathon.

If you're coming here for advice on running nutrition - GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! I eat what I want, when I want at anytime I want.  Chorizo and egg tacos on home made flour tortillas are my POWER BAR and a strong cup of coffee before a run is my pre race drink. I don't pay a single red cent on any kind of specialty gel, powder, energy bar. I think it's all BS and in your mind. If you think it's going to help you run faster or bike faster it probably will - because you think it will. MIND OVER BODY again.

Mind over body

Pete. "The LOCORUNNER"

Welcome to LocoRunner!

Feel free to browse the several race reports and articles on this website. Eventually I would like to have some valuable resources for the runner and triathlete. Event descriptions and reviews for local Houston area races will be just some of the articles you will find in LocoRunner. Our race calendar will be geared towards Houston area events and anything else that LocoRunner feels like including. I visit San Antonio pretty often, so I like to include some of the bigger events in the San Antonio and Austin area.