Duke City Marathon Report

[jade]

Short version:  I ran my first marathon this past Sunday, finished with a time of 4:40:34.  Had some trouble with cramping and the heat but all in all satisfied with the outcome.  

Long version:

Pre-race: Drove to my Dad's house in ABQ on Friday evening, getting in super late.  Saturday, got up, did a 2 mile shakeout run through some dirt trails behind their house, saw many jackrabbits and a coyote.  Then we went downtown to the expo to get my packet.  All the website said was ABQ convention center.  So we show up the center and there is no one around.  No signs or arrows pointing where we should go.  The doors we tried were all locked so we wandered around the center looking for a way in, all the while feeling that horrible feeling of "OMG what if this is the wrong day".  Finally got in and then wandered around some more looking for signs of life.  Finally saw a crowd, got excited, then realized it was a convention of paleontologists.  Wandered around some more and finally found the race people tucked into a little side room off the main convention hall.  No signs, nothing to help guide people.  Got packet, shirt, and some swag and then headed home.  So weird.

Race-day:  Up at 5, left house at 6, H dropped me off at the start, which happened to be the convention center again so at least we knew where we were going this time.  Hung out inside for a little watching people and then headed to the start line at 6:45.  Start line didn't have a big sign so more "WTF, where are we going" ensued, but finally saw a few pacers and figured they knew where to line up.  Gun goes off right at 7 and we are off.  

First two miles takes you through downtown ABQ then you hit a path along the Rio Grande river where we stayed the rest of the race.  The path itself was nice, the cottonwoods along the river were changing and it was pretty flat.  No crowds, except in the places where the marathon relay transition points were.  I cruised along for the first half, listening to podcasts, feeling ok, and doing a fairly reasonable 10 minute pace.

The last little bit before the turn around takes you up along this big road so there are overpasses to go up and over which was so annoying.  Hit the turn around at 2:11.  I was expecting to see DS and Dad at this point, but I guess they mistimed stuff so they weren't there.  That was a little disappointing.  I got a text a little while later asking where I was so they could find me, but I never saw it.  Oh well.

Headed into the second half feeling ok, but hips and quads were getting super sore.  I normally run on gravel trails so the hard surface I guess was starting to factor in.  Pace was slower but I was fine with that.  Took a few walk breaks to refuel and get some nice long water breaks.  I was glad at this point I brought my hydration pack because the sun had risen enough that the path was no longer shady and cool.

Mile 20 my left calf started to cramp up on me which really freaked me out because I had never had that happen on any training run.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to run in the rest.  Managed to walk off the cramp and start running again, but the same thing happened 3 more times before the end.  So that was super frustrating and not helpful to my mental state.

Once I finally left the path and hit the downtown I knew we were close to the end, so I resolved to finish strong and no more walking.  I saw H right before the finish and teared up a bit when he ran with me to the end.  

My time was not what I was hoping for when I started this whole thing, and it is frustrating to not really know how much being 8 weeks pregnant really factored in.  And now I am ready for a break, after a year of non-stop training.  I don't think this was my last marathon, if nothing else that I want to see how it goes without the extenuating circumstances.

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations!!!

[Wines Not Whines]

Congratulations, marathoner!

[cinco]

Awesome job! Congratulations! I was about a minute per mile slower during my first trimester, so I’m sure it was significant. You really did amazing for a first timer, ESPECIALLY pregnant. Kudos!

[mysticmuffin]

Congratulations, marathoner!

[oswin]

Wow, great job! I haven't really run while pregnant, but I know how the exhaustion and nausea can affect you and I'm super impressed that you did your first marathon like that.

[hurricanedrunk]

Congrats on your first marathon!

[sadlebred]

Congratulations!!

[jane6672]

Holy Moly, congratulations! Doing a marathon while pregnant is intense!

[labbie]

Congratulations marathoner!!

[gt7301b]

Congrats!! I ran a 10 miler while around 8 weeks pregnant and I was about 30 seconds per mile slower.

[shauni27]

congrats! That is incredible and I am so inspired