I had every reason to run well today. The weather was perfect, the fans were great, and I no injuries to speak off. But unfortunately, sub-3 was just not in the cards for me today as I saw my consecutive PR streak in my hometown marathon come to an abrupt end.
I have lots to say, but I can’t talk about my disappointing race right now. It’s too soon; it’s too raw; and it frankly hurts too much. What I can do is share with you my race results. They tell the entire story, mostly.
Again, thanks for those who tracked, followed, cheered and spectated today. Although I did not run my best time, I really felt and appreciated all the support out on the course today!
Final Statistics
Official Time – 3:04:20; Pace -7:03 min/mile
Overall Place – 1311
Gender Place – 1241
Age Place – 257
5K Splits
5K – 00:21:08 (Avg Pace - 6:49)
10K – 00:42:04 (Avg Pace – 6:47)
15K – 1:03:01 (Avg Pace – 6:46)
20K – 1:24:15 (Avg Pace – 6:47)
25K – 1:45:34 (Avg Pace – 6:48)
30K – 2:06:45 (Avg Pace – 6:48)
35K – 2:28:51 (Avg Pace – 6:51)
40K – 2:53:05 (Avg Pace – 6:58)
40 comments:
Congratulations, nonetheless!! that's a great feat!! you're really hard on yourself....you shud rather cherish the time and the experience! :D
Too bad I feel for you. Still Lam if it were easy to break sub 3 would you have gone for it in the first place?
Frankly, you are a little too young and haven't run enough for your body to be able to hold together over the distance at that pace.
Maybe you think too much (why I like reading your blog by the way)
and you should just stick to the basics and wait for time to work its magic. It will take at least 8 years to turn you into a champion.
If you don't have real natural talent you are going to have to increase your mileage to 80 miles plus per week and stay uninjured for your build ups.
Your half mara time would get some people to a sub 3 but you may have to take another 4 minutes off that to be sure you can run sub 3 next time.
I'm sure you are already thinking what you can change and/or are thinking that a sub 3 might not be worth the trouble. For me I think it is, you might find your answer while staring into the eyes of the extra patients that are coming your way. Chin up!
An excellent time, Lam. 7:03 pace for 26.2 miles - holy speedy!!
I know it wasn't quite what you had wanted, but congratulations on a STRONG RACE.
Tough break! You lost 10 seconds of pace in 10k. That's just a bad day. Unlucky! Simple as that. You still hung tough, and with a 3:04 you obviously didn't quit. That impresses me.
It may have not been the race you wanted but it is still a great showing! You finished! With a great time! Today was still a good day and you'll be back to break 3 in no time I'm sure. It will happen.
That's a fantastic time I reckon!
Congrats are in order anyway. You ran a spectacular time even if you didn't reach your goal. Try to be proud of yourself, Lam. You deserve it.
congrats all the same! i understand the disappointment, and i hope you can come to terms with yourself quickly. you are still amazing!
Sorry to hear you didn't hit your goal. I know how horrible that feels and don't have any magic words that can make it better. All I can say is that it was warm out there, that might have been part of it. And also, just because you didn't break three this time doesn't mean you won't -- you can rally over the winter and come back to do it in Boston this spring.
Lam, I know you're disappointed, but even still you turned in an awesome run. Congratulations!
You churned out a seven-minute pace for 26.2 miles... that's amazing even if it's not what you hoped for.
I understand the disappointment as well. I saw you on the route just as you passed Atlantic and Fourth avenues in Brooklyn. I even cheered for you. You were intense and on a mission. You will achieve it one day! Yes, the weather was ripe for records, but keep in mind that even the elites didn't break any yesterday.
Hey Lam, congrats on another marathon. You worked hard, you deserved a sub 3, but it just was not your day. You and Kara... I am looking forward to the race report. I know you have a sub 3 in you, and if getting it is important to you, eventually is going to happen.
I was cheering you on and attempting to track you all morning. Sorry you were disappointed in the final time but you still ran an excellent race. I look forward to the recap. Don't beat yourself up Lam!!! There are so many of us that still aspire to be as speedy as you!
we were watching yesterday on TV, my kids who don't normally watch TV where yelling for all of you. best wishes with the aftermath
looks like a tough race. the sub-3 will come. you certainly have the ability. it's just a matter of lining up the right training with the right day. nice work running a very fast race nonetheless.
I got to be honest... I'm starting to get fed up with this whole marathon thing... I don't remember the last time I've heard a marathon success story!
You train and you train and all of a sudden arrive at this 3 hour window of time... you do all you can to prepare, get hydrated, get nourished... but you can't control the weather or predict how your body will perform on that particular day... so you do all you can to prepare and then just hope and pray that the stars will align for you... but of course more often then not you fall short of your full potential... so after all those months of training and effort and anticipation all you end up with is a hollow feeling of disappointment... and all you can do is keep building that base on top of all your training you've already put in and hope that next time its enough...
either that or just run 5K's instead! but for some reason that's just not as much fun.
Aw Lam, I know you must be disappointed, but keep your chin up! You trained your ass off and did everything right. It just wasn't your day.
As we approach more ambitious goals in marathoning, it gets harder and harder to achieve them (and more and more devastating when we fall short of them). But you know what REALLY impresses me even more than if you would have accomplished your sub-3 goal? The fact that you had that goal in the first place, and the fact that you never gave up on it. You are an incredible runner and you give your all each and every time you race. In the end, what more can you ask of yourself?
Be proud that your "bad day" led to an accomplishment that few people could even dream of achieving on their BEST day. You are amazing, and I am seriously proud of you, buddy ;)
Aw Lam, I know you must be disappointed, but keep your chin up! You trained your ass off and did everything right. It just wasn't your day.
As we approach more ambitious goals in marathoning, it gets harder and harder to achieve them (and more and more devastating when we fall short of them). But you know what REALLY impresses me even more than if you would have accomplished your sub-3 goal? The fact that you had that goal in the first place, and the fact that you never gave up on it. You are an incredible runner and you give your all each and every time you race. In the end, what more can you ask of yourself?
Be proud that your "bad day" led to an accomplishment that few people could even dream of achieving on their BEST day. You are amazing, and I am seriously proud of you, buddy ;)
I'm sure that you're disappointed so I won't pretend you aren't, but you came very close to your goal. The marathon is a beast and you never know what it's going to hand you.
That said, you have lots of benefits from the training and half the battle is setting ambitious goals. Don't let this keep you from setting them. I still think your best races are to come.
my heart was breaking for you when i saw the times slowing down knowing what you must be going through. another marathon is ALWAYS amazing and something to be proud of, dont forget that. the marathon is such a crazy thing and so much can happen over 26.2 miles. hold your head high lam, as a very wise person told me "you are just waiting for the perfect day to let your secret out". we all know you have it in you.
Lam,
I know you are disappointed in yourself, and it sucks because you did completed quite an accomplishment, but not reaching your goals is hard. I know it all too well. You are still an inspiration to many, and soon you'll be able to look back and remember the experience with different feelings. I'll be thinking of you!
<3 danica
Lam you may not have gotten the time you had wanted, but you are still awesome! be proud of yourself.
Check out Ryan Hall's blog (http://blog.mastertheshift.com/Ryan-Hall/index.php/2009/11/ing-new-york-city-marathon-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-63) - it made me feel better about my marathon disappointment. You should still be proud though - you are faster than most people can ever dream of being!
I've been reading your blog for awhile. Disappointment is relative. I know how hard you train, and I know what you want. So, I will tell you, I'm so sorry you are upset. Your lofty goals are to be admired.
I am impressed. Especially with your tenacity.
Congrats are certainly on order! That's a really speedy time. You'll get to sub-3. :o)
You will break the 3-hour barrier. The only question is when. You'll figure out how to take off another 2 1/2 to 3 percent, hard as that might be. In the meantime, congratulations!
congrats to a really fast race! it obv wasn't what you wanted but if a sub-3 was easy everyone would do it :)
just use this as fuel for the next one! i know you can do it!
You ran the NYC marathon which is such a wonderful adventure and feat in itself. You time was still great. Wish I could have been in NYC to actually see the race.
we talked about this--so you know what i would say..
that said, you did not give up. and you ran strong. new york is a tough course-- you'll get your sub-three. and you're still a hero in my book.
I know its hard right now, but congrats. you had a great race and I loved tracking you on Sunday. take care and rest up.
So sorry you missed your goal. I was definitely rooting for you!
Although you didn't reach your goal, you ran tough and didn't give up. You are always an inspiration and I'm looking forward to your post-race thoughts.
Congrats on another impressive maraton. Your sub 3 is in you, and it will all the more sweet when it comes. In the meantime, be proud of your amazing race.
Congrats Leslie! I think you did great, but you need to see that too!!!
Move on to the next. Your a great runner!!!
The wind was a real factor at the race. When crossing the Verazzano, I saw the flag from Fort Wadsworth standing stiff in the breeze, I thought, "Uh-oh. 21 miles into the wind." So, even thought the weather seemed good (a smidge warm), the wind was an invisible force also. Just look at the winning times for men and women.
It will come soon. Good luck and thanks for the inspiration.
I was tracking you on race day, and my boyfriend peeked over my shoulder to look at what I was doing, and when he saw your time he was like, "3:04?? Who's that?? That's so fast!"
Still a great accomplishment even if you fell short of your goals. You finished another marathon...FAST!
I'm sorry you are disappointed with your race. I hope you are feeling better today. I still congratulate on a great time. You'll be back NYC!
Hey man, I've been reading your blog for quite a while now. I feel your pain. I also fell a couple of minutes short of my 3 hour goal on Sunday. We'll get there!
I know you are disappointed, but I still think it makes you a great runner that qualifying for Boston is now even an issue. Congrats! You will break that 3-hour barrier.
Now NOT even an issue, I meant...
You know my thoughts on this already.
That said, I will say a race disappointment is a race disappointment no matter what everyone else thinks. It takes time to distance yourself from it and accept what went wrong.
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