This report is going to be super long. I need to get it all out of my head and onto “paper” so that when I consider doing this again, I can see what I was thinking. Not that that stopped me from running a second marathon after saying “never again” during the first. Grab a beer (or coffee or wine, whatever) and settle in. Or, just look at the pictures LOL.
Thank yous:
- To my darling Beer Geek – for supporting me through the training, for delivering the newsletters that came on the worst day possible, for driving there and back through hideous DC traffic, for wrangling the boys and then bringing them to the finish line. I couldn’t do it without you.
- To my boys – for putting up with mommy constantly going out for a run, for accepting that mommy was sometimes cranky after long runs, for frequently asking me if I’d won after I finished a run, for running me in at the end of the marathon.
- To my family and friends – for listening to me when I talked about nothing but the marathon, for watching the boys whenever I needed to get a run in, for believing in me, for the awesome notes on FB that I’ve received over the course of the training (especially the last few days). You all are awesome!
- To my blog friends – for reading and commenting and keeping me focused. I also blame you all for getting me into the situation in the first place, though. ;o)
Lessons learned:
- I will never run a small race for anything over the length of a half marathon again.
- I prefer rolling hills to completely flat.
- I’m too much of a city girl to run (non-technical) trail races. (And too much of a klutz to run a technical trail race LOL).
- Running a marathon anywhere besides my home area needs to involve extra days at the location, not drive up Saturday, run, drive home Sunday.
- Sometimes it doesn’t hurt any more to run “fast” than it does to run slow.
Where I proceeded to not sleep at all. Sigh. I got up at 4:15, got ready, and RunningLaur and her mom picked me up around 5:45. (HUGE thank you to them both for allowing me to let the boys sleep in and still have them be at the finish. ) It was cool out (I wore a pair of Beer Geek’s old socks as arm warmers, ’cause I’m classy like that.), but I’d prefer cool to hot any day. I got the chance to meet Abby before the race and then it was time to line up.
Right before the race, I decided I’d aim for 10:18 miles, which would bring me a 4:30 marathon time. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? The race was not chip timed, but I knew I didn’t want to race to hard at the finish, so I hung at about the middle of the pack with RunningLaur and one of her friends. We stayed together for about the first mile, but near the end of that mile, she wanted to stick with her marathon plan and I’d fallen into a nice groove right around 10:15 miles. I also happened to be running right behind Tammy and was enjoying listening to her talk to another runner about her ultramarathons. (One of these days I need to introduce myself or she’s going to think I’m a stalker LOL) I was bummed when it became apparent around mile 2 that they were going to be going just a bit faster than I wanted to go and they moved ahead of me.
Then, around mile 3, I met Bob. Bob was planning to just finish, but he was feeling good at that point and running exactly the pace I needed to go. We ran together to at least mile 10, sometimes with me needing to catch up to him when I did a GU or walked a water stop. It was nice to chat with someone and have basically a pacer, as he was running a pretty steady pace. The times of my first 10 miles show this – 10:12, 10:16, 10:18, 10:15, 10:24, 10:10, 10:19, 10:11, 10:07, 10:12.
The remaining 10 miles are pretty much a blur. This was one of the reasons I will never run a marathon on a trail again. I was completely alone. As in, I could see a runner in the far distance occasionally, but really, for the most part, all I could see were flowers and trees. I should have pulled out my ipod, but I just didn’t have the energy. I walked every water stop and I did some GUs. Along the way, I saw a guy skipping the marathon. As I followed him, I gave that a try and discovered it loosened up my very tight hips. I’ll have to remember that! I passed him and kept on going. At mile 20, I called Beer Geek and told him I had about an hour to go, so that they knew when to meet me. At mile 23, the back of my left knee began to hurt, but not enough that I couldn’t run. I found that running slowly didn’t feel any better than running faster, so I tried to push myself. It’s really hard to try to push from landmark to landmark when there are no landmarks. I kept making myself run to the next tree or the purple flowers or occasionally a big rock or bridge. I was starting to get a little loopy and wanted to stop, but I just kept counting down tenths of miles on Garmin.
At mile 25, my other leg began to cramp up. I was pretty sure if I walked, I’d not start running again, so I just kept trudging along. When I hit one mile to go, I began singing “99 bottles of beer on the wall.” I knew when I finished, I’d be done. By this point, it was quite warm out and there was no more shade. I was just trudging along, one step at a time. Finally, I hit the end of the trail and I had only .2 left to go. Splits for miles 17-26 – 10:38, 10:34, 10:44, 10:49, 10:13, 11:21, 11:11, 10:50, 11:23, 11:35.
That last .2 involved the only hill to speak of and then about .1 on a track. I trudged up the hill, figuring I had nothing left to give. However, as I stepped on the track, they announced my name and I could see my boys on the infield, near the finish line. I started picking up my speed, knowing I wanted to have nothing left at the end. As I got near Jones, I yelled at him to join me. He thought I was crazy, but he started running. As we got closer, I was still picking up speed and Shoo jumped in too. Typical of his personality, he stayed ahead of me and I had to give everything I had to try to catch him. I don’t know exactly how long that .2 took as I forgot to turn off Garmin, but my best pace during that time was a 7 minute pace!
After the race, we hung out in the mid-field for a bit. I was covered in salt and exhausted and my legs were cramping up, but a friend and her family had driven a couple of hours just to see me finish, so I wanted to talk to them for a bit.
Some volunteers came over and gave me and the boys cookies and bananas and then we raced back to hotel to clean up and drive home. Our drive home went as well as any drive on a Sunday near D.C. can go. Which basically means that by the time we got home, Beer Geek was in dire need of some quiet time. I spent the remainder of the day rockin’ my compression socks (CEP compression socks recommended by my LRS and Recovery Socks I won from Erica) while unpacking, doing laundry, and hanging with the kids. I’m convinced that the walking up and down the stairs yesterday is why I’m feeling good today. My sore knee has stopped hurting and I’m a bit stiff and tired, but generally I feel great!
I have to give kudos to Sean Potts and the rest of the organizers. It was a really well organized race, with great snacks during and after, awesome volunteers, and wonderful water stops. I would, however, not do it again. I’ve got too much “city” in me to spend that much time by myself on a trail.
So, what’s next? Not another marathon. I’m thrilled with the time I managed and I’m thrilled that all my miles were sub 12 and most were sub 11. I’m not going to say never (that 4:30 is still whispering my name), but I am going to say not for a while. I realized during training and during the race that I love running until about 15 miles and then I hate running. HATE running. Since I run to stay happy and sane, hating running is not a good thing.
Here’s the plan:
- Reverse taper this week
- Run the Rock Your Socks Virtual 10k this weekend
- Start my “Fit and Fast by 40” plan next week (more on that later)
First: Great job!Second: After my wife ran her second marathon she said, "this stops being fun after 15 miles." I told her she should only run half marathons and that no matter what she did from that point, nobody could take her marathon finishes away from her, even if she never ran another marathon. She has only run half marathons since.
wow, great job!! your splits look great!! My first 2 marathons were Boston and Disney, THOUSANDS of runners and so much to look at!! my 3rd marathon was on Cape Cod in the winter! i was alone the whole way and hated it!!! there was a period when i'd say HELL NO to small marathons!! now i don't mind, i'd run a marathon on a track if i had to. BUT it took me a LOOONG time to get there. so i can totally feel your pain on that one!! esp after doing MCM, that is SUCH and AMAZING race!! well, congratulations on completing your 2nd marathon. As much as you don't want to hear it right now i'm sure, get ready for #3 and #4 etc etc. They'll be here sooner than you think/want to admit 🙂 GREAT JOB!!!!! 🙂
Congratulations on your 2nd marathon finish! I hear you on no small marathons. Chicago has ruined me – I like lots of spectators!
Yay! Many congratulations! I was thinking about you all day on Sunday–couldn't wait to read the race report. And I too swore never again after my second one 😉
I felt EXACTLY the same way about this race. Very well organized, some great volunteer and spectator support (in spots), and nice scenery – but really small, and really monotonous… Other than miles 12-16 or so, when I was exchanging pleasantries with people on either side of the turnaround, I didn't talk to or run with anyone the whole way. A totally new experience for me. It was kind of lonely!Hopefully we'll have the chance meet again at another race, and in the meantime, I'm looking forward to following along on your adventures 🙂 Great job this weekend!
Great race report, and awesome job on the race! I don't know if I would be able to handle a lonely marathon like that, I probably would lose my mind. Good for you for keeping it together. 🙂
Thanks for a great race report. I just did a very lonely half and it's tough not having crowds or other runners.
Congratulations! I've been waiting to read this. 🙂 (Don't know how I missed Sunday's post in my Google Reader!) You did completely awesome. And even if you stick to running 15 miles or less from now on, your half marathons will be fabulous because they will seem SO EASY!
Congratulations! I'm going to try to remember to skip if my hips start bothering me in my next race ;-D(I just found your blog recently and wanted to say hi, btw!)
WOW! You did awesome! That is an amzing feat to be able to run a marathon with so little crowd support! Just wow!And, you are sooo right about being able to walk and feel better today. I always walk, walk, and walk some more after I ice bath and shower after a marathon. If I were to stop I know things get ugly!Congrats on a well run race!!!P.S. running after 15 miles does suck, especially when there isn't a medal at the end 😉
amazing amazing job…and you look damn good after running 26.2 congrats
Awesome report!! Way to hang in there at the end when it got really tough. Congrats on the big PR!Enjoy your beer!
So glad you wrote out this race report. I'm trying to psyche my hardcore self up this week to prepare for the mental battle on race day. Really good to read Lesson #5. You give me strength. 🙂
Great race report. I enjoyed every detail. I think your report helped me to decide which race to run in the fall. I was considering a small 700 person marathon in a national park, but I see your points about running in the country and feeling the like the lone runner out there. I think it'll be a slightly larger city marathon for me!
Great job! Way to get it done. Woot!!Hey, if you hate it after 15 miles, the answer seems simple to me….don't run farther than 15miles! Easy peasy! We do this for fun, right?
Again, great job! You did awesome!And the skipping is a novel idea. I've never tried that.
never TOOOOOO long!! [race report]. Love all the details.waytogo!!!
Awesome job finishing your second marathon. It's an accomplishment to finish one, but to have gone through it once, then doing it again after you know what is involved. Kudos to you! I love your new blog header pic too! That had to be a great thing to have your kids finish with you.
Congratulations! Great race report. That lonely stretch on the trail sounds mentally rough. It had to be hard to keep it up without anyone around you. Way to go!
I got a little welly there when the boys joined you at the finish!
Lessons learned – what size is small? I'm just curious. I will have to remember lesson 5. I like spectators which is why I like fairly big marathons. I need the cheering and the distractions of people/racers to watch. I am wearing my CEP compression socks as I read this. I just got them! I have decided I am a one marathon a year person. But half marathons- bring them on. 13.1 is a great distance – tough but not killing. Congrats again. I bet your boys are super proud.
I loved your race report. And I completely understand the whole not running a marathon again… I tried it. My last one was 16 years ago… but I did sign up for MCM this year… it may be my last forever.Great job.
Great job! I'm doing a trail half marathon in Sept; after reading this I'm glad I'm doing it with a friend. Way to keep going during the tough parts!
Honestly, I respect any person who can finish a marathon. And you have done 2, that is something most women our age can't say. You should be very proud of your accomplishments! That being said, the best part of running should be enjoying it. Do what you like, run only as far as you want and don't apologize! Thank you for the great recap and the awesome pics. Can't wait for the giveaway!
Awesome race report! Even if you never run another marathon, you're a marathoner! Do what you enjoy 🙂
I couldnt imagine a trail marathon … they do a pretty big on in Indi which isnt too far from me. At least you did it, and you have the ability to make up your mind as to whether or not its your thing.I get what you mean about it not being fun after 15. I actually like the training for a full, but the races arent anywhere near as much fun.Glad you are recovering well and that the race was (overall) a success!!
Great race! I loved the recap. Your run into the finish with the kids was nice. That is the best part of any race.I need to get some sweet socks for that virtual race! Thanks for the reminder!
This was such a great race recap! I absolutley loved all of the fantastic pictures:) I really like the one of you sitting in the chair wearing those compression socks:)I feel the same way about the smaller races. I need to have runners at least a few feet away from me. I ran my first half marathon and there were over 2000 runners. My next half marathon there were less than 200 runners…that totally sucked!!Congrats, I think you did an awesome job!
Awesome race! The love/hate relationship with running is something I'm familiar with!! Congrats again, and I love the banner of you running with the boys!
Yes! Congratulations on getting that pesky 2nd marathon out of the way. 😉 Great time too!
Since I'm still toying with the idea of a full (only decision I've made is "before I die" at this point) I appreciate all these details. (And have a novel of comments!)I always get nervous before races. The last half I did I locked myself out of the hotel room like a champ and then slept terribly too. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who gets the jitters. Very cute you wore Beer Geeks socks as arm warmers!I had no clue about the skipping, but I'll definitely remember this the next time my hips feel tight! Might be kind of weird if that happens on a treadmill at the gym where I work…OH MYYY. OH MY GOSH! I too have ran to 99 bottles of beer on the wall (in my head) b/c I think it takes me over a mile to get through the song and is a good distraction.I'm with you on bigger races being more fun. They feel more like a party; I'm beyond impressed you did a trail type race!One additional thought I had is you'd be surprised what running with a friend can do. The 10 miler and half marathon that I ran with a friend stand out in my mind as a blur…while the two halves I did solo were more painful. Obviously all these races are in your LOVE distance bracket. But if you had a friend at your pace…I think your HATE threshold would be slightly higher. Reason being, I said anything above 10 sucks BUT had a very pleasant miles 10-13.1 when I did them with a friend. So I was proved wrong. Just a thought. And probably the key to breaking 4:30But I'm a huge fan of trusting your gut, so whatever distance your gut tells you to train for is what you should do, since you'll be the one running it. HUGE CONGRATS! HUGE CHEERS! HI5!
*Just to clarify, I did not get a bad night's sleep because I locked myself out of the hotel room and was curled up in the hall.The guy at the front desk unlocked the room for me right after it happened. They were two separate events.
Congratulations! I did my first half a few weeks back along a lonely course and it's pretty tough emotionally. Great job and enjoy resting and relaxing this week!
Love the race report! Congrats, again! I had a giggle at your wearing the socks as arm warmers b/c that is totally something I would do…You look great for just having finished a marathon! And, all the things you accomplished after you got home – whew, amazing! I would be laying on the floor for days!Way to go!
Wow..great job on a great race! Plus, those compression socks are great. I've used them before and they're awesome for quicker recovery.YuriInterval Running Man
Congrats on an awesome new *PR* in the marathon! You did great, I gave up marathoning awhile ago and am still in awe of anyone running 26.2 miles and keeping it together. Especially on a warm day, which it was! Superb!
GREAT JOB! Excellent pics (love the new blog header!), and I agree, nothing more than 13.1. (I won't even attempt a full!)I love that your boys finished with you, I do that with mine in some 5k's too. What joy!Congrats on the finish!
Congrats on such an awesome 2nd marathon finish & PR! It sounds like you had a pretty un-eventful race, which is what most people hope for!! Enjoy recovery (beer)!
Kudos to you for doing more than one marathon. I felt the way you did during my first and only marathon and it was even before kids! It is so tough for me to find the time to train for just 1/2 marathons with kids that I can't even imagine training for the full. Great lessons learned. I cannot run on trails either. I am always afraid I am going to twist my ankle or fall. Very consistent race…even your "bad" miles were great! Great job! Also, I did get the GU package yesterday…thank you!!
Great Job MCM! I hope you loved your recovery socks!
Great job on the marathon! I agree with you, although I've never done a marathon, I don't think I could do a smaller race or a trail race. I need people to give me energy.Nice job!
Wow your opening splits are SO even, that's awesome!! I love that you were singing 99 Bottles of Beer. It seems like there was a lot of singing going on in the last mile or two – everyone we passed was singing to themselves. I wish I would have thought of grabbing a banana part way through, it sounds perfect looking back. Congrats on the great race, a huge PR, and such a successful end to all of your hard training!!(It was also fabulous to meet you 🙂 )
Beer IS good! Nice job and great pictures. I'm with you, anything more than 15 miles – you can shoot me. Staying on your feet and walking, moving or steps is key to feeling better the next day. Even if you really don't feel like it.Congrats, very proud!
A lonely trail marathon – yikes! Congrats on rocking it! So awesome you had company going across the finish line 🙂 Every marathon is completely mental for me, even the crowded ones.
congrats again. your splits really did look good.I understand what you mean about not seeing people on races like that. It makes for a VERY long run after a while.I'm with you on the 15 mile threashold.
I love it, great recap, great job!! I too like rolling hills, they work, keep you focused and you get a little present when you go down. I have to tell you – I was crying when I read about your boys joining you, you rocked it!! and finally I agree halfs are awesome!
Great job!! Sorry to chime in so late… I have been a bad follower. I enjoyed your recap. I bet you a dollar that you will run another marathon someday. *wink*All three of my marathons have been big races with lots of people. After reading this, I think I might be crazy for scheduling my next big race as a trail race (a technical one) for OVER 26.2 miles. What am I thinking?