Thanks CM.
I'm not sure what is going on in that regard (cramping) other than my age and conditioning. I was fine after the event. I think I ate too little in that case. That and the heat.
On October 1st I completed my first marathon (26.2 miles). I was going to back out due to a foot injury but went for it anyway. With the taper and weeks rest leading in I was hoping it was enough. It was. Except, the downtime worked against me. I missed my second 20 mile run in training and the taper was extended. I tried running each run in the taper and cut each one short when my foot got tender.
So, while I did complete the marathon I didn't make my goal time. I developed knee pain at the 7 mile point (IT band syndrome - no surpirse) that affected my gait by mile 10. That resolved, or was ignored, by mile 13 when my legs started to cramp up. That was a huge mental barrier. I chugged out 13 more miles of cramping, walking it off, and more running till I cramped again. Miles 14-21 were the worst. After 21 it was like a burst of energy and confidence. Nothing was stopping me at that point. Well, except for the cramps..... Walk it off... walk it off....
During my run, I kept a few things in my head to motivate me. This video and story is one example......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryCTIigaloQ Incredible story.
I'm back in the gym for some more strengthening of weak spots. Then I plan to do a lot more hill work. The short runs will be fun. It's a lot easier to work on 5K speeds and the benefits carry over.
I'll sneak some 5K and 10K races in but my next big event is a 100 mile bike ride fundraiser next March. I'm going to train now for 100 miles at a completion effort. Then I will roll into a second training effort to improve on the competion time.
The combined training should condition me for better traithalon efforts in the future. Those are loads of fun.
Good luck all!