Welcome to Getting Fit at Fifty

My name is Art Davis and I started running in 2007 to lose weight. Check out my before and after photos at the bottom of the page. I ran my first 5K and 10K in 2007 I went on to run my first half Marathon and full Marathon in 2008.























Saturday, April 6, 2013

The Southern Indiana Classic Marathon


“You learn you can do your best even when it's hard, even when you're tired and maybe hurting a little bit.  It feels good to show some courage.”  ~Joe Namath
Today I ran the Southern Indiana Classic Marathon in Evansville, Indiana. This was a particularly satisfying accomplishment because the first year I signed up for it, I injured my right quadriceps. The next year I was ready for it, but the full marathon was cancelled and everyone was diverted to the half due to heat. Last year I was just coming off of an upper respiratory infection, and chose to divert to the half marathon.   So the way I had it figured, this was my year, my time to finally run and finish the Southern Indiana Classic Marathon.
4hcenter
The 4H Center before the race
I was doing great!!!   I was running at a PR pace until just after the half way point. Then Holy Crap! The cramps started. I am not sure which leg the cramps started in, but  very soon both legs were cramping.  From that point on, I was only able to run for short distances before I would have to stop and walk again. From mile sixteen to mile eighteen,  I really considered dropping out. But then  I remembered how hard I had trained for four Evansville full marathons; recalled feeling disappointed  in the three previous Southern Indiana Classic’s, due to injuries , illness, or heat.  I was determined to finish this one.  At the twenty mile marker I was hurting in places I did not know I had. I rationalized it this way, “I could drop out now and go home with cramps,not finish, and not get my medal-- or I could persevere,  go home with the cramps and my medal.” I chose the latter. 
IMG_1694
The man I am talking to has ran over 100 marathons.
IMG_1718
Limping towards the finish line
At the twenty four mile marker I was cramping from my feet to my neck. I had never had spasms in my neck before. I do have to give the race support staff credit for keeping an eye on me during the race and asking me if they could do anything for me. But somewhere between the start and the end of the race, my new goal was to cross the finish line.I  am proud to say I limped in and finished race in 5:20  which was well off my goal.  I now have my hard for fought medal from the Southern Indiana Classic Marathon.  I earned this medal.
IMG_1733
With my medal after the race
Have you ever cramped up during a race?

14 comments:

  1. Art, I am so proud of you and your accomplishment. Way to go!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can sympathize with you, having cramped up in the first five of my eight marathons - and yes, it was rather painful! It wasn't until my 6th that I exercised a bit more self control, shunned the watch, allowed my body to dictate what pace to run at, and finally got it right.
    You look whacked in that last picture, but all credit to you for persevering to the end and not giving in. It's amazing what the human body is capable of achieving. Well done Art!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My body was racing yesterday morning, I was having trouble holding it back.
      I am going to be researching ways to avoid cramps.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Never have done a marathon so no. Congrats. You deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks!
    need to run your marathon!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations and great job pushing through the pain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks,
      I am loving the Aleve today.
      Really stiff today.

      Delete
  6. So sorry about your cramping! That's awful. I had some cramping in my last marathon but it was stomach cramping and not too bad.

    Congratulations on your finish! It takes a lot of mental toughness to push through pain :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks,
      It really tested my shear stubbornness not to drop out.
      I was really hurting when I got home.

      Delete
  7. Hi Art! You certainly DID hard-earn that medal! I think that everyone seems to want to be a very fit person, at least superficially. But most people will not put themselves through the soreness and general grueling work of being outstanding in something. You do! :D

    :-) Marion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks,
      yes I feel like I really did earn that medal.

      Delete
  8. Art, you did an amazing job! 26.2 miles is no small feat! I only did the half marathon on Saturday....the full seems like such a daunting goal. So proud of you & Congrats again!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, and you had an awesome run on Saturday a PR!
    Congratulations

    ReplyDelete