Completing a Marathon

General discussion on Training. How to get better on your erg, how to use your erg to get better at another sport, or anything else about improving your abilities.
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Mike A
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Joined: March 20th, 2006, 7:59 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Completing a Marathon

Post by Mike A » April 6th, 2006, 8:45 pm

I started erging 10 weeks ago and completed my first half marathon this past Sunday. My time was 1:32:02. I was shooting for 1:30 or better.

I would like to do a FM for the challenge, but I must say that the HM was so painful at the end, I can't even imagine sitting there for another hour and a half. Everything was going great until the last 3K. By then my glutes were on fire. My time went to heck at this point, but I did manage to finish.

I am open to any thoughts on how I can get myself to FM capability. I don't know if I pushed myself too hard on the HM, if I need more training, or if I didn't manage the cushioning properly.
Last edited by Mike A on April 7th, 2006, 5:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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DavidA
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Post by DavidA » April 6th, 2006, 11:18 pm

First, that is a very good HM time, especially for a first try!
Second, 10 weeks isn't that long to have been erging, so expect a HM, and even more so a FM, to be difficult.
Did you take any very short, little breaks? Drink a lot? Have some calories?
I sometimes shift my weight off of one cheek during the recovery for a stroke or two every once in a while to relieve the tushy pain. I don't have padding on my erg seat, but I know many people do, especially for longer rows.
Good luck.

David
63 y / 70 kg / 172 cm / 5 kids / 17 grandkids :)
Received my model C erg 18-Dec-1994
my log
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Mike A
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Joined: March 20th, 2006, 7:59 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Post by Mike A » April 7th, 2006, 7:07 am

[Did you take any very short, little breaks? Drink a lot? Have some calories?
]
I took a short break every 7500 meters. I had water and a small bottle of gatoraid (90 cals) that I worked on each break. I have the C2 foam pad on the seat, but nothing else. Toward the end, I did find relief by changing the angle of my pelvis, but it was short lived. Thanks.
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gcanyon
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Re: Completing a Marathon

Post by gcanyon » April 7th, 2006, 11:13 pm

Mike A wrote:I started erging 10 weeks ago and completed my first half marathon this past Sunday. My time was 1:32:02. I was shooting for 1:30 or better.

I would like to do a FM for the challenge, but I must say that the HM was so painful at the end, I can't even imagine sitting there for another hour and a half.
Wow, that's an amazing time for a half marathon after only 10 weeks.

I think the important thing to remember is that for your first marathon, just finishing is the goal. Slow down a bit and you'll have no problems. Don't worry about taking a break. Stretch, grab something cool to drink, etc.

Also, consider using a a lower damper setting. It'll slow you down some, but it makes for easier going long distance. (imho)
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