Indy Marathon Recap

[hurricanedrunk]

Since it's recap day here is mine from last week's marathon in Indianapolis!

I picked Indy for the flat course, proximity to my hometown and time of year. Plus another state to cross off! I went into this training cycle with a goal of sub 4. This was carried over from last year in Chicago where I came very close but not quite at 4:05:XX I used Pfitz's 18/55 plan, my second time around with Coach Pete. The front part of my training in July was very bike heavy as I built mileage for my charity ride and fell off after that. I was very fortunate to stay relatively healthy and have friends also training for NYCM the same weekend so lots of company on those long runs.

H & I drove down to Indy on Friday and arrived into town in the afternoon. I got my 2 mile shake run out of the way and hit up the expo. Expo was packed so we didn't stay long, did dinner and went to bed early. On race morning I walked over to the start line, checked my gear and then it took forever to figure out where the bathrooms were located - all the way on the other side behind the start. I waited in line as long as I could but ended up ditching out at 7:58 so I could start with my wave. I didn't have to go that bad but it's one of those things.

I got into my wave, tossed my second long sleeve, did a little warm up and then we were off! I started behind the 3:55 pacer and in front of the 4:00 pacers figuring that if I could stay between the 2 I would be golden. Miles 0-5 flew by pretty quickly as we wove through downtown Indy, lots of cool sites to see. Like any race it was a bit crowded the first couple of miles but tapered off and to note this was a huge issue I had in Chicago. It took me forever to get into a groove. This was not the case on Saturday I kept a nice pace and coasted mentally in the first portion.

After mile 5 I was keeping my eye out for H, he was spectating on his bike (I think he saw a similar amount of Indy as I did). We didn't have a specific plan on where he would be and I didn't want to miss him. Finally at mile 9 or so I spotted him on the other side of the road as I was going around a curve and missed him. Pulled out my phone and texted and then we were able to connect at mile 11 or so. They had live tracking and it was running slightly behind so I think he missed me a couple of times. I saw him a bunch more later in the race which was great.

I spent the first half enjoying the race, feeling grateful that I was healthy and able to participate in something like this. Taking things one mile at a time and checking them off. This portion was through a lot of residential areas and the houses, plus fall weather were beautiful. It was cool to see all the people out in their yards cheering and supporting the runners. They had a lot of bands out playing various music along the way which is always fun. I was alternating between Gatorade and water each rest stop. Ate my first Gu around mile 6. Then around miles 8-10 I realized that I was going to need to stop and pee. This was a first for me and I told myself I could stop when I saw an open porta-pottie. Maybe a mistake on my part but I think after that conversation with myself I went through 2-3 more reststops?

I passed the halfway point with a 1:56:30 split, feeling strong and determined. Ran by a house being torn down and put my headphones in at the halfway mark. Finally at mile 15 I had to stop for the bathroom. I timed myself and it took all of 2 min. I zipped back out on the course ready to work however the urgency to pee had masked a lot of the other aches/pains going on in my body. Mile 16/17 were a little dark. The route then goes through Butler campus and into the art museum which was the coolest part and so so pretty. H was standing outside the gates as we exited and I was super happy to see him I almost burst into tears. (apparently he tried to go into the art museum area and kept getting yelled at lol) After the museum there was a nice downhill for what felt like a half mile or so.

I hit mile 20 feeling good and kept at my strategy of taking each mile at a time knowing that I was entering the portion of the race where things get real. Lots of positive mental talk, visualizing the finish, picking a person a ahead of me to catch up to and skipping songs on my playlist that weren't doing it for me. Basically all that stuff that seems like cheesy bs but works! The last few miles of the course take you back into the heart of downtown and merge up with the half course. They do a nice job of separating the two races on the street. I held on for these last miles and started to recognize some of the route. Passed the capitol where we started then rounded the corner and there was the sweet sweet finish! Final time 3:53:29

This was really an awesome race for me. I've had some time to reflect and everything came together so so well : training, supportive friends & family, my overall health, weather, course conditions. My training was spot on, I never had that point where I said, fuck I can't go any further. Pfitz has an intense plan but it really brings you ready for those last 6 miles. I definitely recommend this course, it was super flat as promised and I was not expecting Indianapolis to be so beautiful. (I have only two complaints - one more start line bathrooms, lol and I want a BEER included in my post race amenities) If I ever try and BQ this course will be a contender. I also really appreciate how supportive this board is, really you guys are the tops.

[jane6672]

Congrats on a great race and an awesome PR!

[wambam]

I’m so glad it was such a good experience for you! You crushed your goal! Congratulations!

[Wines Not Whines]

Congratulations! That’s a great PR!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations!! That's a great PR!

[shauni27]

woah, way to kill it! CONGRATS!

[sadlebred]

Congratulations!! So, the marathon goes THROUGH the art museum? How cool!

[hurricanedrunk]

Nov 7, 2018 15:56:29 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Congratulations!! So, the marathon goes THROUGH the art museum? How cool!

Now that would be cool but it's the exterior garden/grounds that you run through of the Art Museum, bad description on my part. Here I am coming out of it. They were getting ready for their X-mas light show.

[starburst604]

Wow what a PR, congrats on an awesome race!!

[chw57]

You did amazing!! Great job!

[sadlebred]

Nov 7, 2018 16:11:07 GMT -5 hurricanedrunk said:

Nov 7, 2018 15:56:29 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Congratulations!! So, the marathon goes THROUGH the art museum? How cool!

Now that would be cool but it's the exterior garden/grounds that you run through of the Art Museum, bad description on my part. Here I am coming out of it. They were getting ready for their X-mas light show.

LOL!!! Bad interpretation on my part! Still cool getting to run through the grounds!

[cinco]

Congrats! You crushed it!!

[oswin]

Congrats!

[emilyj]

What an awesome race you had! Huge congrats on the PR!!

[labbie]

Congratulations on a great race and incredible PR!!

[jreeds]

Great job! Congratulations!!

[wawa]

Congratulations on the huge PR!!!

[irene adler]

That's amazing! Congrats on such a great race!

[hurricanedrunk]

Nov 8, 2018 7:44:47 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Ps- if you want a PR beer, I will gladly send you one

Appreciate the offer! H had to go back to the hotel to drop off his bike and brought me not one but two beers!

[moreace01]

Congrats on an amazing PR!! Wow!! Great to hear the race description too - Indy is now on my radar.

[hurricanedrunk]

Nov 8, 2018 16:45:49 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Nov 8, 2018 16:37:58 GMT -5 hurricanedrunk said:

Appreciate the offer! H had to go back to the hotel to drop off his bike and brought me not one but two beers!

He kind of rocks

I have a very specific, seasonal (so kinda rare) hometown beer that I have stocked up on for PR purposes. I want to send one to you!

That would be amazing sending you a PM shortly.

[thom]

This is ah-mazing!! You crushed your goal and ran so strong. Congrats!