Marathon race report, the long version

[noisemaker2]

I ran my second marathon yesterday. The thing that I keep coming back to was how much more I enjoyed this race than my first marathon (same race/course). I think a lot of it comes down to positive mental energy. My head was in the right place—but here are all of the details.

Race morning, I got up at 5am and had my coffee and bread with peanut butter. Covered myself in body glide and suited up—tank and capris, race belt with water, ShotBloks and ipod inside, a visor hooked onto the belt, my bib, my garmin and I was ready to go. I walked outside and immediately the negative thoughts wanted to creep in. It was really warm, and so foggy I literally couldn’t see the house across the street. But I pushed those thoughts away. I’d run in worse weather, and this was going to be fun no matter what. Fun was goal #1 for the day.

After a slow drive through dense fog and some drizzle, I parked the car downtown and entered the stream of runners headed toward the start. I got a “have a good run” from a random stranger and it really lifted me up. I mugged in front of the cameras for shot in front of the capitol all lit up pretty and finally lined up just behind the 4:40 pacer. My A goal was a 4:20, but I knew that 4:30 was more likely in this warm wet weather, and in any event my plan was to start very slow through the first half where most of the tough hills are.

The announcer told us it was 63 degrees at the start. I tried to push away the bitterness about the fact that every morning for a week prior had been in the 40s. Fun and relaxed was what I wanted…I started chatting with the folks around me. The guy next to me was also running his second marathon. He’d done Chicago in the fall and had a similar experience to my first—he blew up on the second half and ran a 4:59 (my first was a 4:58). His goal for the day was a 4:30. Funny coincidence. The race started right at 7, and it took me about 15 minutes to hit the start line.

My first emotional moment came right after the start line. I got choked up thinking “I’m doing this! Alone! Just for me!” I settled in and the first few miles were crowded with runners and lined with spectators. I kept my pace about where I wanted it and kept trying to focus on the fun—some great signs along this part “You think this is hard? Try dating me!” “Whoever said long and hard was a bad thing?” and lots of others I can’t recall at the moment. I high fived a banana, complimented a superman runner, thanked the volunteers, and smiled through the first 6 uphill miles. Then we turned to a couple miles of downhills and I let it go. It felt good to open up and run a little faster, and this is where I really knew it was going to be a good race. I kept telling myself, this is my day. I’ve got it today. I feel good.

I saw my husband and girls around mile 9 and I got hugs and cheers from all. I told them I felt good and strong and happy, and I meant it.

The middle miles of this course are tough. 9-14 are tough rolling hills. 14-19 is a steady uphill climb. This is where I completely bonked last year. But not this year. I embraced the hills, smiling through the ups and letting go on the downs. I hit the half mark at 2:12. It was my day. I’ve got it today.

After the half I put the ipod in to help me through those middle miles again. More cheers and hugs from the family around mile 16. Saw a friend at mile 18 and was all smiles and hugs for her, too. I felt great. The last uphill push on 19 was hard. And I was hot (temps climbed close to 70).  But I fought for it, and when it turned to a long downhill at 20, I took advantage and felt like I was flying. Mile 21 had another long uphill. Ugh. I was starting to hurt. But I was supposed to hurt, it’s a marathon. And I’d just conquered the part of the course that killed me last year. And today is my day. I’m going to hit 4:30 at least, and that’s amazing. I’m doing it!

Mile 22 I was supposed to see the family again, but they weren’t there (3 year old potty break meant they missed me). That messed with my head and I struggled the next mile or so. Another uphill and I felt like I couldn’t do it. I wanted to walk. No, I wouldn’t walk, that’s ridiculous. But everything hurts. And why are there so many f’ing hills?? I walked the water stops from here on out and told myself so what, it’ll make me feel better running the next mile to recover a bit…and it did. And I smiled again. I found my groove and hit my pace again for bit. Then I saw the family again at around 23 as a surprise. It lifted me up, but I couldn’t stop for them this time, I had to keep going, had to stay in the groove.

Around mile 24 my left glute started freaking out. It felt like I was getting electric shocks every 100 yards or so. I must’ve looked like a lunatic because it made me jump funny every time. Thankfully that only lasted for a bit, less than a mile. I held on, knowing I was close to my B goal, knowing I was almost done, knowing that I had almost done it!

The last miles are so hard. And half a mile from the finish is a bitch of a hill. I hadn’t walked one single hill through this whole thing, but here my brain beat my body for a minute and I started to walk. This amazing random stranger called me out by bib number and name and told me to finish strong, and I said “Yes! Thank you!” And started running again. That man was an angel. From there I gave it everything and sprinted (ish) the last half mile and through the chute. Hands in the air, tears in my eyes as they called my name. Finish time of 4:31. So happy with that! Could I have been a tad faster? Yes. But I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it as much. It was a great race. I drank a beer, got my finishers shirt and went to hug my husband and kids. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since. That’s what a marathon should be, right?

[clseale]

Awww, yay!!! I love this so much. What a happy race report. It takes a tough runner to push away all of the negatives & let the positives shine through. I'm so proud of you, and so happy that you earned such an awesome PR! Congrats.

[Brit]

Awesome race report! Congrats!

[tuggyruns]

Awesome report! And great advice to stay positive! Congrats on a huge PR!

[runblondie26]

Great job! Congratulations! I'm so gld it was a satisfying experience

[skwcm80]

Love your recap. Congrats again!!!

[breezy8407]

awesome! Congrats

[sassystace]

Thanks for that recap! So happy for you and great job!

[cinco]

So glad it was a positive experience for you! Enjoy the post marathon high. You deserve it!

[texassmith]

Awesome recap and congrats on a great race!

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[adcobe]

Great job and awesome recap!!

[thom]

Congratulations!! You really had an awesome day. I'm sorry the weather wasn't better for you, but you still owned it & did so well.

[Deleted]

Way to go! What a great report!

[runaways]

Yay! I was thinking about you yesterday morning! I'm so happy you had a great, fun race. Congrats on the big PR and enjoy the post-marathon glow!

[jamalynn]

Yay! Congratulations! Great recap and awesome PR!

[jene]

Awesome recap! Congrats on such a great race!!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations! Awesome recap.

[noisemaker2]

Thanks all! I'm still riding the high. And strangely mobile. Other than my left glute that's still angry at me, I'm in pretty good shape. I can even walk up and down stairs!

[jchokie79]

I love your recap, totally teary eyed now. What an amazing experience you had and way to finish out strong. So happy for you!!!

[gt7301b]

Great job and awesome recap!!

[taratru]

So awesome! I love all your emotions...and I totally get the 3 year old potty break. Dang kids, ha!

Great job!!!

[kams]

So fantastic! Congratulations! I felt your emotion in your writing. That's the beauty of the marathon - does it hurt? Is it perfect? But you did it anyway and there are a lot of miles for a lot of shining moments! Well done!

[wanderlustmom]

I loved your recap! You did great!

[shauni27]

what an amazing race report! I am tearing up at my desk, you should be SO proud of your accomplishment! Very inspirational

congratulations!

[Deleted]

I'm loving this recap. What a fantastic accomplishment! Well done!

[keweenawlove]

Congrats on an awesome race! Thanks for posting the recap.

[CallingAllAngels]

Awesome recap! Congrats on a great race.