Richmond marathon report (2 marathons 3 weeks apart)

[Wines Not Whines]

I really had no idea how this race would go. I ran Marine Corps 3 weeks ago, and I barely did any running in the past 3 weeks. I kind of felt like I had a 6 week taper, but my legs didn't feel fresh. I've also been eating All The Food.

I decided to start the race very conservatively. I didn't want to worry about my pace, so even though I wore my Garmin, I turned it to the screen that only shows the clock time and not distance or pace. I decided I'd only check my time/pace at the halfway mark and again at mile 20. I told myself to run slowly, so I could finish.

I loved the size of this race. I think there were around 6,000 runners, and it was perfect. As a mid-pack runner, there were always plenty of people around me, but it didn't feel crowded after the first few miles. But I realized MCM and other DC races have really spoiled me for races in most other cities. The course today was hilly, and other than a scenic 4-mile stretch along the river and a couple of miles downtown, it was mostly running through residential areas. I found it very tough, mentally. I'm used to having a lot more spectators and lots of amazing things to look at.

At mile 20, I looked at my watch and had a "holy shit" moment because I thought I was ahead of my time from MCM. I told myself to just keep going, and even if I ran 10 minute miles to the end, I would PR. I kept it slow and steady through mile 25, and then found a little bit of reserve energy for the end. I PRed by 3 minutes!

[gt7301b]

You are amazing, great recap!

[venice2007]

Wow great great job!

[venice2007]

Wow great great job!

[jordylee]

Wow, that is fantastic, congrats!! It sounds like starting out really conservatively ended up being an awesome race strategy for you. Two marathons in three weeks, with a PR? AMAZING.

[thebulldog]

You need a crown...or wings...or something..amazing.

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

[jamalynn]

Wow, that's awesome. Congratulations!

[al320]

That is AMAZING!! Congrats!

[enfuego23]

Congrats!!

[sassystace]

Nice!!

[kams]

This is next-level incredible. You've got to be absolutely beaming, right?! Congratulations to you. I am so very impressed.

[taratru]

That is SO AWESOME! Since we're the same person, I'm going to have to try this whole "two marathons three weeks apart" thing...everyone is kicking ASS on that plan!

[cinco]

Thanks for the recap, and CONGRATS again! 2 PR's in 3 weeks is amazing! Richmond has always been on my bucket list, but maybe I'll stick to the half. I have found I like the big marathons better. The main thing that always holds me back is having to drive down my least favorite part of 95 on a Friday to do it :/

[libbygrl109]

Well done! Congrats!

[labbie]

Amazing! 3 weeks apart? Great attitude about just going with it- and congrats on the PR!

[MrsE]

Holy smokes! Way to go, girl!!!

[Brit]

That is so awesome! Good thing you couldn't drop down to the half!

[runaways]

Congrats on the PR!

[sadlebred]

Congratulations!

[Wines Not Whines]

Nov 17, 2013 7:28:07 GMT -5 cinco said:

Thanks for the recap, and CONGRATS again! 2 PR's in 3 weeks is amazing! Richmond has always been on my bucket list, but maybe I'll stick to the half. I have found I like the big marathons better. The main thing that always holds me back is having to drive down my least favorite part of 95 on a Friday to do it :/

It was a good race, and well-supported. I think it would be perfect for someone who wants a fairly big, but not huge, race. This was the first marathon I did that wasn't huge (I'd only run MCM before) and I was amazed, in a good way, about how easy certain things were. The start line was one block from my hotel, and you could literally walk outside 10 minutes before the start, get in your corral, and then go. I wish all races were like that! The finish area was also great - there were a lot of people, but it wasn't completely mobbed, and they had pizza, coffee, and FUNNEL CAKES. Fuck bagels and bananas, I want pizza and funnel cake after a marathon... lol. (They did have bagels and bananas for people who wanted them.) The finish area was only a mile away from the start, so it was pretty easy to walk back to my hotel at the end. In addition to a nice medal, the finisher swag is a fleece blanket, which I thought was really nice - they handed them out instead of space blankets, and I can actually use it after the race!

Crowd support was good, but it wasn't like the huge races where there are tons and tons of people. There were sections with lots of people, and sections through neighborhoods without many people. The course was good, and probably better or as good as most small city marathons. It just can't compare to running along the Mall during MCM (and probably the courses for NYCM or Chicago)... which is why everyone wants to run those races and they're so huge and popular. I would recommend Richmond for a good, well-organized and well-supported smaller race.

[runaways]

Nov 18, 2013 8:43:35 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Nov 17, 2013 7:28:07 GMT -5 cinco said:

Thanks for the recap, and CONGRATS again! 2 PR's in 3 weeks is amazing! Richmond has always been on my bucket list, but maybe I'll stick to the half. I have found I like the big marathons better. The main thing that always holds me back is having to drive down my least favorite part of 95 on a Friday to do it :/

It was a good race, and well-supported. I think it would be perfect for someone who wants a fairly big, but not huge, race. This was the first marathon I did that wasn't huge (I'd only run MCM before) and I was amazed, in a good way, about how easy certain things were. The start line was one block from my hotel, and you could literally walk outside 10 minutes before the start, get in your corral, and then go. I wish all races were like that! The finish area was also great - there were a lot of people, but it wasn't completely mobbed, and they had pizza, coffee, and FUNNEL CAKES. Fuck bagels and bananas, I want pizza and funnel cake after a marathon... lol. (They did have bagels and bananas for people who wanted them.) The finish area was only a mile away from the start, so it was pretty easy to walk back to my hotel at the end. In addition to a nice medal, the finisher swag is a fleece blanket, which I thought was really nice - they handed them out instead of space blankets, and I can actually use it after the race!

Crowd support was good, but it wasn't like the huge races where there are tons and tons of people. There were sections with lots of people, and sections through neighborhoods without many people. The course was good, and probably better or as good as most small city marathons. It just can't compare to running along the Mall during MCM (and probably the courses for NYCM or Chicago)... which is why everyone wants to run those races and they're so huge and popular. I would recommend Richmond for a good, well-organized and well-supported smaller race.

If this were closer to me, I would sign up for it just for the funnel cakes. I want one now. Nom.

[CallingAllAngels]

Way to go!!

[cinco]

Yeah, i can brave 95 for post race funnel cakes! I had a walk to the start from my hotel at Shamrock, and it was my favorite thing about the race.

[boston340]

You rock! I LOVED reading your race report.

[jillybean222]

way to go! nice job!!!

[lovesherheels]

Two marathons in three weeks AND you PR'ed? Wow! That's really impressive! Big congrats to you! I hope you take some time to rest, now!

[wanderlustmom]

Congrats! You are amazing!

[shauni27]

OMG what a cool PR story! Good for you, that is so impressive!

[gummybear]

Incredible!!! Congratulations