DODGE TEACHER RUNS LINCOLN MARATHON

Mr. VanLengen Completes The Distance

I started training to run the Lincoln Marathon around the first of January. I started with 3-4 mile runs during the week and a 6-mile run on the weekend. I gradually increased the mileage of the long weekend runs about two miles each week until I got up to 17 miles. I planned to run 20 miles for my longest run, but I felt soreness in my calves at the 17-mile mark so I stopped there to avoid injury. This turned out to be my downfall in the Marathon.

I hoped to run the first 20 miles at 10 minute per mile pace which would have put me at 3:20 and then run the last 6 miles at 15 minutes per mile, which would be another 1:30 for a finishing time of 4:50. With a little extra time added for walking, my goal was to finish in five hours.

I started the race at about 9:35 pace and finished the first 6.2 miles in 59:24. Things were going well, and I was at the halfway mark at 2:09:47, which is a pace of 9:55 so I was still on schedule. I got to the 18-mile mark right at three hours, which put me at exactly 10 minutes per mile. This is where it got difficult for me as I developed a cramp in my left calf. This was actually the first time I stopped to walk, and I had some doubts if I would be able to finish as I had 8.2 miles left to run. I stretched my legs, and walked for a minute or two, and it seemed to feel better and I continued to run. The next two miles proved to be the hardest as I had to go up a hill and run through Holmes Park which looked like a fairly short distance on the map, it was really a tough run. The only thing that kept me going was that my family was in the park and Dax and Taya ran with me for about a mile at the turn-around point. Audrey got me some Ibuprofen, which I took, at the 21-mile mark, and the cramps seemed to get a little better. I was able to run about a half mile before they would cramp up. Each time I would just stop and stretch and then walk a little bit until they felt better. The last five miles I was actually able to run fairly fast as I passed many runners, but then I would have to stop to stretch and they would all run past me.

The last 2 or 3 miles I really felt great besides the cramps in my calves. I was able to enjoy the journey, but I was relieved when I passed the 26-mile mark. One common misconception is that a marathon is 26 miles. I still had .2 mile left, and I actually had to stop to stretch my cramping legs twice in the last .2 miles. I could see the finish line, but just couldn’t get there. I finally got a burst of energy and finished in 4 hours and 48 minutes, covering the last 8 miles at 13-minute mile pace.

Running the marathon was one of the most challenging and most self-gratifying things I have ever done. The feeling of pride that I have for finishing is something that I can’t describe. I most definitely will try another marathon, and would love to travel to another state to try it.