Training Log Archive: dkonotopetz

The race started at 6:30 am. (which is late for a marathon in Thailand) and after a few hundred meters the route made a sharp left turn onto a muddy and wet path that lead through a construction site and into the forest. After a few minutes of racing my shoes were covered with mud. The route made a short 4 km. loop and then headed straight east. Around the 8-9 km. mark the trail went through an open area covered in mud and water, that was almost impossible to run through. By the 10 km. mark I was not feeling great. I felt weak and was craving sugar, so I took a gel and ate 2 Oreo cookies at the aid station. I continued along the muddy trail. I took another gel at the 18 km. mark water station. Nearing the u-turn point going through a very muddy and rutted field a guy in front of me took a hard fall. I asked him if he was 'ok' and he responded that he was 'ok'. There was a large hill leading to the aid station at the u-turn and the 23.63 km. point that I walked up, as the heat, humidity and lack of training was getting to me. I was craving salt, so I ate some chips, refilled my Camelback and took another gel (with caffine this time). After the aid station I seemed to get an energy boost (likely from the caffeine), but this was short-lived as I began to slow down and some people passed me. My legs were beginning to hurt, so I used the cold water from my Camelback to ease the pain. I got to the 29.5 km. water stop almost completely out of water, so I refilled again and took another gel. I was maintaining my position at this point, despite walking-up almost every incline and running on the flats (for the most part) and the downhills. I struggled into the 37 km. mark aid station, where I drank water and a sports drink, took another gel, poured water on myself, ate chicken sticks, put Tiger Balm all over my legs/hips and refilled my Camelback. I pushed to the finish and passed 4 people in the last 1 km. I placed 37/397 overall and 36/315 in the Male Open category.

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6966092
Results: http://my4.raceresult.com/62337/?lang=en#3_1362B8
Race Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii3LMNZ0UlE