Post by sassystace on Oct 20, 2014 18:54:35 GMT -5
Whoo! Where to start? So at some point in the last year I decided on the goal of running my first marathon before I turned 40. I had run 9+ halfs and 20 miler (and didn't die) so I started following Hal Higdon Novice 2 training plan about 20 weeks ago. I some times cross trained on the designated cross training day but mostly made it an extra run of 4 miles.
My goal was to come in under 5 hrs with a smile on my face, but as my training was wrapping up, my plan was to aim for a 10min/mi pace and to walk the water stops and see how good I could actually do without going too hard and blowing up before the end of the race. I began using tailwind and carrying a 20oz handheld after I had some issues with dehydration on my long runs and took that into the race as I had on my last few long runs. I had chosen the Columbus Marathon because it was a few hours from home, was a big well-run race with great crowds, it was a flat course and I'd run the half for the past two years.
Race day--weather was perfect, short walk to the start from my hotel and found some porto-potties on the far side of my corral that nobody knew were even there--no lines and no one even used it before me (off to a good start!). Waited in the front of Corral C with my cousin who was running with the 4:15 pacer. Stayed with them for a few miles and then did my own thing for the rest of the first half; paces in the 9:40s - 10:xxs for the first 17 miles. At 17ish miles we ran through OSU stadium and that was a nice 'destination' but after that things started getting rougher. My legs were not happy with me anymore and running was starting to feel pointless (and painful). At this point the self doubt started creeping in and the question of why are you doing this? (and why would anyone do this more than once?) starts entering your mind. The spectators were great and encouraging as well as my fellow runners and somehow I just kept moving along. It was all very mental for me after mile 18 or so because my body was hurting--walking hurt as much or more than running so I just kept going as fast as I could and logged several miles in 11min/mile pace. Somewhere around mile 24, the 4:30 pace group caught up to me and I started to speed up and try to stay with them to the finish thinking, whoa, I may be able to finish this better than I was expecting. The last mile was downhill and lined with spectators and I just kept putting one foot in front of the other to the finish. Crossed the finish line at 4:34 and it felt kinda of anti-climatic. I think at that point I was kinda in shock or something. I expected to cry at the finish but besides feeling a little sappy at the start, I was fine. I am so happy with my time and so glad my training paid off. A lot of the training is learning to keep going when the going gets tough because that's really what the last 8 miles felt like to me. YAY MARATHONS!!
If you made it this far, you deserve a medal too.
My quad are super sore and I'm hobbling around today, but I am still feeling the glow of my marathon finish! Thanks for all your suggestions along the way and your support!!
Congrats! My mom said the same thing you did, after going through OSU stadium she hit a wall and things got tough for a few miles. You have a fantastic finish time though! Way to go!
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Awesome, awesome race! You seriously blew your goal out of the water!! Thanks for sharing the journey with us. H&F is all proud.
Now...
Do you want to do another someday?
Somewhere I read that you should give it week or so before you sign up for another or swear marathons off for good. During the race, I was thinking I should focus on running a fast half. So it remains to be decided!