This is Forty:Pirtle-Hall's '24 Olympic Marathon Trials Log

This is Forty- My Running Log/Journal to 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials

Jackie Pirtle- Hall (JPH Running) #coachjaxtherunner

Deadline- December 2023

Goal - Sub 2:36

PR 2:40 (never raced a marathon with the FAST shoes vapor-fly- does this count for a couple minutes lol)

Where I am At:

So I ran Houston on Sunday. I am happy with my performance 1:18:09- a 5 minute improvement from November. I have slowly built up running 50 miles a week- starting with racing a 5k in September, a 10k in October, a half in November, another 5k, and then bump in the road in

December with a hamstring issue, so I took 10-14 days off and elliptical and stair stepped my way to healing with Dr. Hendrix and Dr. Conrod's treatments. Dr. H administered some painful yet effective Graston and ART on my shins (a sensitive area on me since my big toe mobility is inhibited by some mild arthritis from years of hard running which messes with my stance phase of my gait cycle).

Dr. Conrod gave me dry needling and the laser treatment a couple times while I avoided any intense running but tried to load my musculoskeletal system in small amounts backed with cross training so when I came back - my tissues and such wouldn't be shocked! Well, that worked! I was able to do one solid workout before Houston and felt great.

How was the Houston Half Racing Experience?

Houston is amazing and everything about the race is a YES!!!! But the race- well- Houston was interesting. Because I wasn't accepted into the elite corral, I lined up behind with the elite development - no bottles and lots of eager new runners- which warmed my heart. Many of them reminded me of my younger self. 20 year old ferraris ready to blaze only to get to mile 6 and fizzle - oh how the marathons can humble!

Good news is if they stick with it long enough - they too will find success at the distance. They are right where they need to be - working on turnover, correct biomechanics, and then with years of training and doses of volume progressively, with experience, they will keep getting faster for longer too.

I, as a 40 year old, who has been competitively marathoning for over 16 years, had outgrown this corral - lol. But, like I said, I didn't have a solid time under my 1:23 that would get me where I need to line up to actually complete. In fact, the woman who won the masters race 2 seconds ahead of me - well - I never saw her! She was lined up in front and able to pace a steady race I am sure. See, when you line up behind, you are basically surging the entire race. Why? You are surrounded by runners who go fast fast - then slow and settle. So, whenever I would feel like I got connected with a solid group at 5:55 pace, they would slow down or settle and I would immediately feel this and know I had to get away from fear I would settle too! So, the whole race, I ran away from people! And just surged the last 5k.

I feel that if I could have lined up with the other competitive runners up front and been able to check elite fluids along with other perks, I could have locked into a pace with those seasoned and strong runners and avoided the lactate buildup and energy sucker of surging throughout the 13 mile race.

In the end, I'm glad for it; it taught me or retaught me, what it's like to race this way and what I aspire to do when attempting this 2:36 marathon. A steady, comfortably hard effort for 20 miles - just hanging with a solid positive group who wants the best for each other for the first 20- then the last 10k start to escalate and finish the marathon faster than I started. This is an art. It is a practice. It is trust. It is truly the best part of this event and sport- working together towards a common goal!

Meeting with Coach

So I met with Coach Sheldon Webster - my friend of over 20 years and coach. We had the best talk. How we both have grown as athletes and coaches. We both came to terms with what happened after the 2020 Atlanta Trials and the pre build up. We learned a lot. Now time to move forward with this new information. ONe thing he said he could do is "Coach Vigil" me - lol which means call me out on my shit - like I told you 8x800, not 10 and we go for optimal not maximal. See, like many focused and tough athletes, I often feel like it's just not enough - I want more - I almost feel better and stronger on the added intervals than the first few. Well, I am going to have to do just the amount when the amount is prescribed. I of course preach this to my athletes as a coach all the time - but we as humans know - sometimes in the moment - we think we are special or different - um nope. Hey- if 8 is not enough then I guess I will have more energy to do all the other things for the training week maybe that I avoid stretching or core - ha!

Anyways, we made goals.

1) Go STL half marathon as a solid workout - not to PR

2) 3-4 weeks later go to Christie Clinic to run FAST FAST. COach says I need to be in 1:14 shape to run 2:36. I won't be in that shape in April, but hope to by the fall which brings me to my next goal.

3) Minneapolis or St. George Marathon - goal 1:14 shape, but not running a half - running a marathon sub 2:37.

4) If I do not run the time - recover, train the limiters I found held me back in MN or Utah, and race CIM in December- literally the day before the cutoff for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualification.

January 15-Today Log

I just finished a good week of training - good balance of recovery and a little workout on Friday. I am strength training and working on my form and biomechanics along with Tross Chiropractic treatments.

Sunday - 18 miles total

3 warm up

13.1 - 1:18:09

3 mile post run to the hotel

Monday - Flew home from Houston yesterday and back to work - 12 clients! Did EASY EASY bike 35 minutes and stretch and mobility for blood flow.

Tuesday - 12-13 with Sarah W- felt great - absolutely no tiredness or fatigue. That post chocolate mile and stretching and lots of sleep must have helped! 4 clients today!

Wednesday - 10 with Jess before 10 client days! We ran in the rain at 5am- so grateful for her friendship; we've been meeting for over 8 years now!

Thursday - 10 treadmill while I watch a video lesson on gait analysis cause I love that stuff!

Friday - First workout since the race - got up before the girls so I could get it done and enjoy making my girls breakfast, pack lunches, and drive them to school - my new favorite thing since switching careers! I actually made them Eggs and smoothies this morning - ha!

3 mile warm up with 6x30 seconds pushes/1 minute easy in the last mile to let my brain know what I'm about to do and want it to accept im gonna do - ha!

7 mile progression - 2 at 6:14ish, 2 miles at 6:03 ish, 2 miles at 5:50ish, 1.25 miles at 5:42 ish pace

3 mile cool down

After I dropped the girls at school, I had two clients, GOT TO TRAIN WITH MY BIG BROTHER MATT PIRTLE!!!! I told him to make me into a machine - ha! He teaches me so much- very lucky to have him and Keeling my other friend and trainer at Emerge.

Then 2 clients and the night with family!

Saturday - early alarm to meet Sarah G. for a 12-13 miler at a decent clip - then rush to Eemerge for clients 8, 9, 10, 11 then lunch and Samantha;s basketball game!

Sunday - 8 miles felt kinda crap at first, then loosened up to feel wonderful - the fresh air was amazing for the spirit. I ended with an elliptical - did a lower level and kept the turnover quick - I read about this being better for runners if doing in place of miles to avoid overloading while progressing carefulling with the miles. I like it!

So, I am still waiting on my prescriptions for the coach for the upcoming week. I'm excited about our approach this time - although we will keep some tried and true elements that my body, mind, and lifestyle like - we will do a few things differently considering my age and what we've learned.

Alright- hope all have a joyful week! xoxo coachjaxtherunner