06/02/2024
Our founder Golden Harper was 2nd Overall out of 1000 runners at the Rockies Marathon today, clicking in at 2:37:05 (5:59/mile) on only 6 weeks of training after a 4 1/2 month winter break!
While this was nowhere near a best time for him, he attributed a lot of his success despite the lack of training to being as efficient as possible with his technique since he didn’t have the fitness or muscle ideal for a best effort. He says he focused on “elbows back, stay loose” for much of the effort, among other things.
Read the 4 steps to optimizing your running technique here: https://floatrun.com/4-tips-to-fast-fun-injury-free-running/
And here’s Golden’s write up of the race, from https://strava.app.link/oONKjqWq5Jb :
1st Master. I had no business running 2:37 after taking 4.5 months away from running and only starting back running a month and a half ago. I couldn't sniff a minute per mile slower on this same course 3 weeks ago...fitness came around just in time! I attribute a bunch to the FloatRun Harness keeping my technique super dialed in and efficient the last 6 weeks. I need to enjoy it now before they get banned in races!
Notes:
Nutrition was on point (Untapped at 45, Maurten at 1:15, V Fuel Gel at 1:40, and another VGel at 2:10.
Had to weave through 1000 plus half marathoners the last 10 miles. My calves cramped when someone came to an abrupt stop in front of me at an aid station and I partially plowed her. Had to fmoderate the pace and not push the last 3 miles to keep the cramps at bay, so no fast finish.
Over the moon happy with the result considering the above, the sleep deprivation from baby not sleeping, and after getting 20,000+ steps yesterday working the expo, etc.
Shoutout to Altra for getting me a pair of Vanish Carbon 2's in time for the race. Ran with them fresh out of the box with no blisters, rubbing, or any other issues. Solid!
Last bus left while I was in the bathroom despite me telling them I was going and would be right back. Gone two minutes and it was already gone. Pretty ticked. Luckily 4 others got left too because they didn't announce it and Akio's wife drove us to the start. I also missed the start by 3 minutes because they had less than half the number of bathrooms at the start than needed. I ended up bailing out of the line after waiting forever and going in the woods, but would've missed the start by 15 minutes had I waited. The bag drop was also a disaster and wasn't announced well...lost my beloved recovery leg sleeves in the chaos. 😞
