As an athlete, you can spend hundreds of hours training and preparing for your race. For some, that race only last seconds, others minutes, and for the marathoners this past weekend, the race lasted hours. There can’t be a bigger race in the world. Crossing the starting line, you are racing the clock, yourself, and 40,000 other people. In the previous two pieces, we got to know some CPTC members who were going to cross that starting line. We wanted to get a chance to ask them a few post-race questions.
Preparation is one of the trademarks of a CPTC runner. It takes the form of workouts, long runs, weight lifting, and having a race plan.
How did your race plan play out?
Russell Pfeffer: The race went well, I felt I was in complete control of my running.
Katie Casto: The race went well for the first 20 miles, but then I faded hard. And the last 6 were a struggle. I feel way off pace, and couldn’t get it back.
Thom Little: It couldn’t have gone any better. I ran the 1st 3 miles much smarter than last year. The 6:21 split on the uphill mile 1 was crucial to my success. I ran a 5:42 on mile 1 last year and it really set me up for going out to fast and falling apart in the later miles. I was with a pack of guys on 4th avenue that not only shielded me from the wind, but also allowed me to mentally rest and not have to think about my pace.
In a race that lasts hours, 26.2 miles miles can disappear quickly if you’re feeling strong or seem to take forever if you are struggling. A lot can happen.
What was your most memorable moment?
Russell: The most memorable moment for me was running past the wall of orange feeling phenomenal. It has been a long time since that has happened for me. It is really incredible how much support is out there during the race.
Katie: My favorite part was running with the girls! Felice, Andrea, and I ran together through mile 10. We absorbed the marathon, the race, the crowds, the day. And then Andrea and I continued to work together through mile 20. It was great to run with the girls and work together.
Thom: I would say coming up the hill on 5th avenue around mile 22 and still feeling strong.All the core and upper body strength training I added to my regimen this year really paid off then.
Some people subscribe to the maxim: work hard, party hard. But whatever you believe, accomplishing a goal long in progress deserves congratulations and celebration.
Did you go to the cptc afterparty?
Russell: Yes, my party dragged on until late at night.
Katie: I did attend the CPTC after party! And got to celebrate with everyone, and feel good that it was over.
Thom: I was told I attended. I think I also went to the NIKE party later.
With the celebrating over, there is always tomorrow and the next race to train for.
What are your training and racing plans going forward?
Russell: Not completely sure, I plan on taking some time off and easing back into running.
Katie: Now, I am going to take the week off and rest. Then, I’ll take it easy and build base miles. I don’t think I’ll start racing until the new year. I would like to take a look at the Spring calendar and pick some key races. Since I have been running back to back marathon seasons, I plan to focus on shorter races, half marathon and below for the Spring.
Thom: I now intend to focus on 100M and 200Ms for the spring season. Shaun and I have a gameplan moving forward.
While only one person can put their toe on the starting line, there is always someone or someones supporting and encouraging them.
Who has been your biggest supporter while you trained?
Russell: There so much support that it is hard to choose. I would say that Kate has been great throughout this “short” training cycle. She says “the marathon is harder for her to watch than it is for me to run.” You never know how the race will play out and it I can imagine it is very nerve wracking. You consume yourself with all the training and then you have 1 chance to make it happen. There are a ton of factors (inside and outside your control) that can go wrong and ruin a race.
Katie: My biggest supporter is my Dad. He always makes me feel special, no matter what the outcome is. Without him on the sidelines cheering me on, the marathon would not be the same.
Thom: Tony first and foremost, he is always there for us.
Also, various teammates who ran with me on weekends in the park as well as checked in on me via email to see how training was going. All the little things really help keep your “eyes on the prize” and keep your focus on your goal.
Congrats to every CPTC member that raced this past weekend!