Marathon training is in base building mode, so what better way to follow up a 14-miler than to race a sprint tri the following morning.
When I considered which triathlons to do this summer, Pflugerville had a lot to like about it. Smallish race, new (to me) course, and reasonable entry fee. Knowing it was on the calendar was good motivation to swim a lap or two at Barton Springs every now and then. Same for starting a twice a week bike commute schedule during bike month. So, my preparation/training for this race was lots of easy pace running, 3-4 stride sets per week, a couple of short post-run swims per week, and biking to work a couple times a week. I had no goal time or expectations for the race other than to maintain hard effort throughout the race (whatever that might feel like after a 14-miler), and enjoy the return to multisport.
I figured the course would be pretty windy. We've had lots of wind out of the south lately, and there's not a lot of development or trees near the race site. I didn't account for the effect of the wind on the swim course. Swimming is the segment of triathlon where I have the most "opportunity for improvement". Standing on the shore of the lake, I got really nervous seeing how choppy the water was. Getting bumped and jostled by other swimmers, or getting splashed in the face when trying to breathe cause little anxiety spikes for me. Tension makes for inefficient swimming, which would only be compounded by the rough water. Things were not looking good to me. It didn't help to see one of the women from the previous wave turn around and swim back to the start. Standing there, waiting to start, I told myself just swim buoy to buoy, once you get to the red one (halfway) the hard part is over. For the second half of the swim, we'd be headed back to shore, with the waves. By that time, I wasn't particularly nervous, more resolved that the swim was going to be tough, but slow and steady, I'd get through it.
The horn sounded for our start, I hesitated for a moment, started my watch, then started swimming. To my utter surprise, I quickly fell into a rhythm, and was more relaxed than I'd ever felt on a swim, regardless of conditions. I found myself riding along with the waves, breathing in sync with the motion of the water, hardly getting splashed in the face at all. I seemed to maintain pretty good body position without much thought or effort. Before I knew it, I was past the second buoy and headed for the halfway point. Rolling with the conditions and not fighting was making it easier somehow. Granted, I was still working, and my arms were getting tired by the halfway point, but I was feeling really good about my progress and my mental state. The second half of the swim actually felt harder than the first. Fatigue was starting to set in, but my pace seemed to slow despite the calmer water and swimming with the wind. I went a little wide on the return, reset my course, and exited the water really happy about how I'd managed a difficult swim.
The bike course felt long and was very windy. Tailwind and downhill to start, then stiff crosswind/headwind/crosswind/headwind combinations with long slow uphills, rollers and a few glorious sections with tailwind. I don't ride with a computer, so went purely on effort, and maintained whatever gear/cadence necessary to keep my breathing at a comfortably hard level. Here's where I started feeling yesterday's 14-miler. My legs were the limiter on the bike, which probably served to keep some cardio in reserve for the run. I took a gel and some Nuun in the first mile, then chose not to take another gel. Any race is as much a mental test as a physical one, but today's conditions were the kind that make it easier to / harder not to get caught up in head games about how tough it is. When the going gets tough, just keep going. This was the toughest part of the day for me. I just didn't have any power in my legs and the course reminded me too much of my bike commute. Long, slow, windy uphills that should have felt easier since I wasn't carrying a backpack. Perhaps on fresh legs it would've been different.
It took almost a mile for me to settle into my breathing on the run. I'd forgotten what it felt like to transition to the run after the bike. Shuffle-jog into the headwind, head down so as not to lose that hard-won Rogue Trail Series hat. By the time I get to the far side of the lake, I'm in my stride. My lungs feel like the limiter by now. We've got a good headwind for parts of the run. I put my head down and let the wind blow through me. I think I'm picking up the pace as I go, but can't tell for sure. I definitely pick it up for the last 150 or so yards to the finish. Start easy, finish strong. Glad to be done. Race results not in yet, but I don't really care about my time after how great the swim felt.
Highlights/Observations
Seeing Pyrofly - fellow '09 AT Hiker: thanks for the body marking, hope to see you out racing soon!
The first half of the swim
Mile 8 of the bike - An old windmill in the field to the left: hearing it's fleeting squeak as it slowly turned in the wind, like a cry from the past.
Hanging out with racing buddies Devon, Krista, & Ken
Robin & Gracie coming out to cheer me on
01 June 2011
The Ranch 30K
Or, Are we done yet?
Parts of the course reminded me of Grayson Highlands State Park, with a Texas twist of mesquite trees. Running over the granite uplift and through granite boulders was wonderful. And fortunately, only part of the first 10 miles. I couldn't have repeated that section, it was spectacular, but tough. This race was my absolute favorite of the series. On-site camping, beautiful course, beautiful weather, awesome post-race showers and food. The scenery was so amazing that I didn't feel bad for the times I slowed to a walk. That said, I least looked forward to this race. I had busted my knee and elbow open at the ranch two weeks prior on a training run, and had struggled on long runs since. I was tired and ready to be done. Apparently, my busted knee was legendary. Some of my friends told the staff they were with me and didn't have to pay for camping.
The field was probably twice that of the previous races, so chances of placing were pretty slim. The 'back of my mind' unofficial/unspoken goal was to finish no slower than The Loop race at Emma Long, but I wasn't sure even that was possible. Tough to gauge how that was going on this (unequal) two loop course. Loop one was about 11 miles, loop two made up the difference. Turns out no one got official times or placing because there were course marking issues. Many people took wrong turns and either ran over or under 30K. My time was on par with my goal, so I either ran short and slower, or ran the course as marked.
A couple of times I stumbled but caught myself. Both times I rather vehemently told the trail, "you are *not* getting another piece of me!" Both occurrences boosted by energy level for a bit, so that was a nice bonus for not quite falling. Somewhere beyond the halfway point, my right hip started to bug me. Either my adductor or psoas was complaining. I tried some minor gait adjustments with some success. It never really resolved itself, but would come and go for the rest of the race. It slowed me to a walk a few times, so I got to enjoy the views. The hardest part was the last half mile. We had to run back along an unshaded dirt road, skirting the pond by the pavilion, where we could see the spectators and everyone who'd already finished. And they could see whether I was still running. I really wanted to walk for part of that last bit, but kept running (slowly) out of pride. We circled wide to get back to the finish line, which I couldn't see until I'd made the final turn. It was a nice surprise to see my housemates and friends there to cheer me in, with a sign and everything! I found a little finishing kick for the last 50 yards, very happy to be done.
My time was slightly faster than the previous race, and being one of the few women who completed the 30K series, I earned a pair of Brooks Cascadias. Not bad for 90K in 3 months.
Six days of rest, and on the seventh day, fall marathon training began. So far, I'm enjoying the base building phase.
Parts of the course reminded me of Grayson Highlands State Park, with a Texas twist of mesquite trees. Running over the granite uplift and through granite boulders was wonderful. And fortunately, only part of the first 10 miles. I couldn't have repeated that section, it was spectacular, but tough. This race was my absolute favorite of the series. On-site camping, beautiful course, beautiful weather, awesome post-race showers and food. The scenery was so amazing that I didn't feel bad for the times I slowed to a walk. That said, I least looked forward to this race. I had busted my knee and elbow open at the ranch two weeks prior on a training run, and had struggled on long runs since. I was tired and ready to be done. Apparently, my busted knee was legendary. Some of my friends told the staff they were with me and didn't have to pay for camping.
The field was probably twice that of the previous races, so chances of placing were pretty slim. The 'back of my mind' unofficial/unspoken goal was to finish no slower than The Loop race at Emma Long, but I wasn't sure even that was possible. Tough to gauge how that was going on this (unequal) two loop course. Loop one was about 11 miles, loop two made up the difference. Turns out no one got official times or placing because there were course marking issues. Many people took wrong turns and either ran over or under 30K. My time was on par with my goal, so I either ran short and slower, or ran the course as marked.
A couple of times I stumbled but caught myself. Both times I rather vehemently told the trail, "you are *not* getting another piece of me!" Both occurrences boosted by energy level for a bit, so that was a nice bonus for not quite falling. Somewhere beyond the halfway point, my right hip started to bug me. Either my adductor or psoas was complaining. I tried some minor gait adjustments with some success. It never really resolved itself, but would come and go for the rest of the race. It slowed me to a walk a few times, so I got to enjoy the views. The hardest part was the last half mile. We had to run back along an unshaded dirt road, skirting the pond by the pavilion, where we could see the spectators and everyone who'd already finished. And they could see whether I was still running. I really wanted to walk for part of that last bit, but kept running (slowly) out of pride. We circled wide to get back to the finish line, which I couldn't see until I'd made the final turn. It was a nice surprise to see my housemates and friends there to cheer me in, with a sign and everything! I found a little finishing kick for the last 50 yards, very happy to be done.
My time was slightly faster than the previous race, and being one of the few women who completed the 30K series, I earned a pair of Brooks Cascadias. Not bad for 90K in 3 months.
Six days of rest, and on the seventh day, fall marathon training began. So far, I'm enjoying the base building phase.
21 May 2011
The Loop 30K
Skipped my usual pre-race breakfast because I just didn't feel like it. That had some consequences in the last 5K when my stomach started growling. Two weeks prior, I ran a loop of the course with my training group. It was a tough morning and I was not looking forward to running three more loops of that course. Turns out it wasn't so bad (some things never quite are in retrospect)
Highlights:
Highlights:
- pre-race campout. The weather was nice enough to "cowboy camp." Gracie was a little more restless because the surrounding campsites had a later "lights out" than me, but she eventually settled in. So nice to sleep in the open.
- ending the first loop, a little family group was up on the bluff above the parking lot cheering the runners. The little kids stuck their hands out for high fives. That kind of stuff makes me smile. I was disappointed they weren't there for loops 2 & 3.
- halfway into the third loop, I noticed a bright red salvia blossoming off to the left of the trail, and wondered how I'd missed seeing it the first two loops. It looked almost neon in contrast to it's surroundings.
- spent most of loop 3 running alone. Emma Long is far enough from town to escape some of the sounds of civilization, which is nice.
- swimming. Spent some time throwing balls & sticks in the lake for Gracie to fetch the evening before. After the race I got to appreciate the cool Lake Austin waters and give Gracie more time in the water.
- finishing with Gracie. Robin arrived during the race to take over Gracie duty, as I had left her secured under a shady tree while I ran. As I made the final turn to the finish, Robin was there with Gracie and I took her leash. Continuing the trend of terrible race photos, the photographer was plagued by dust and wind and didn't get any good shots of us. I was t-i-r-e-d at the finish and Gracie practically dragged me across the finish line. Love that dog, and appreciate Robin for making the effort to come out and support me.
- strategy: start easy finish strong. I really started slow and easy this race, got into my groove around mile 4, then felt steady and strong until the last 5K, when I ran out of gas. Overall, a slower finish than The Maze, but my post-race recovery was easier.
- mental challenge: at the end of each loop, we crossed the parking area (where we could see the finish area about 100 yards away) and headed back into the trees to do a twisty but flat half mile or so until we popped back out near the finish. I was not expecting that little add-on after the first loop, and it didn't get any easier for loops 2 & 3.
11 May 2011
Trail Days
Two years removed from my Appalachian Trail thru-hike, I am still struck by how firmly that experience is etched into my psyche and weaved into my existence. It is rare the conversation where I don't have some related anecdote I could share from the hike. Rare is the day that ends when I haven't thought of someone I met on the trail. I can't hear the wind in the trees, watch an incoming storm, listen to the rain, sit outside, hear songbirds, owls, watch birds in flight, hear "Hey Jude," see a reference to Hannah Montana, or spend time in the woods without remembrance. Sometimes those moments feel like slipping into a warm bath, sometimes I just smile with knowing. On good days, my heart opens up with gratitude and love for the experience and I'm no longer haunted by the question "what's next."
21 April 2011
trail racing
or, what was it I missed so much about trails when I was marathon training?
My return to trail running after six months of almost exclusively road running actually resulted in a more balanced appreciation for both disciplines. Each has its challenges, joys, frustrations, and benefits. The past couple of weeks, my trail group has done intervals on the hike & bike trail and the road, and the speed work has been a welcome change. For awhile, I wondered if concentrating on trail running was a mistake. Maybe I should have focused on road and track-based speed work during the "down time" before marathon training resumes, considering the BQ goal. But two months in, my foot seems completely healed, and I'm convinced that the trail work is strengthening my structural foundation while maintaining the cardio and mileage base, leaving me better prepared for speed work. On to the race report:
The Maze:
A mere month after the marathon, I was questioning my sanity, as the first race in the 30K trail series loomed. I soon learned that a 30K on the trails can feel a lot like a marathon. Started before sunrise, opted not to wear a headlamp (good choice), set the watch to beep every 15 minutes to remind me to hydrate and (every other beep) eat. Ran with Noel from work, who started faster than was comfortable for me, and I worked to keep up anyway. Here's where I learned to never disregard start easy, finish strong. Before the first aid station, I let Noel know I needed to back off a bit, and she graciously slowed her pace somewhat. But I was already working beyond comfortably hard, and would hover there the rest of the race, miserably so in the last 10K. After the aid station at mile 3, Noel offered to regale me with the epic saga of her week of jury duty on a criminal case. I don't quite understand how people have conversations while running. For me, talking expends energy that I need to keep running. The only reason Noel didn't beat me in this race is because she talked for at least six miles. Granted, I asked some clarifying questions and threw in some commentary, but even so, I was still working to maintain pace while she blithely bantered and ran.
Oof! early in loop 2 of the 3 loop race, my toe caught a root when I cut between two trees and I went down hard on my right knee, reopening a scrape from the previous weekend. That's a pain that's gonna linger. Not supposed to be experiencing the last lap lazies just yet, but I am already fatigued. Noel waits while I assess the damage and then we ease back into running. She cautions me to take it easy and let the adrenaline settle. Good advice. When we finish the second loop, Robin is there with the Gracie dog, who gets quite confused when I run past.
Loop 3 is a practice in managing discomfort, staying alert enough to keep from tripping again, and a hard realization that I'm not fully recovered from the marathon. Post-marathon, both quads were sore to the bone for a week and a half. The left more so than the right. Years ago, when I played softball, I trashed my left quad sprinting bases. Every spring, I'd pull the same muscle early in the season, but I haven't been that kind of sore in years. The last 10K of the trail race brought that to mind and I decided that the marathon had aggravated the old injury (muscle memory works both ways) and this trail race wasn't helping matters. Fortunately I had a massage scheduled for later in the week. My awesome pacer Noel pushed me onward, claiming my marathon training gave me the edge on the last 10K. We managed to pass another masters female in the last 5K and I finished a couple of seconds ahead of Noel.
The aftermath: Third in my age group, 5th masters female, and not quite as sore as after the marathon - I was able to walk downstairs by Wednesday following the race. That's progress. There was serious chafing, but I'll spare you the details.
A note about Noel: two weeks after The Maze, she was in quite the bike crash and suffered broken jawbone, cheek, and orbital bones. Fortunately, she was wearing a helmet and riding with a friend who was able to get emergency help. There was no car involved in the crash; one moment she hit a spot of gravel and next she was on the pavement, unconscious. Scary. It's motivated me to finally get a RoadID. Ride with a helmet and emergency identification/information, you never know when you'll need it.
My return to trail running after six months of almost exclusively road running actually resulted in a more balanced appreciation for both disciplines. Each has its challenges, joys, frustrations, and benefits. The past couple of weeks, my trail group has done intervals on the hike & bike trail and the road, and the speed work has been a welcome change. For awhile, I wondered if concentrating on trail running was a mistake. Maybe I should have focused on road and track-based speed work during the "down time" before marathon training resumes, considering the BQ goal. But two months in, my foot seems completely healed, and I'm convinced that the trail work is strengthening my structural foundation while maintaining the cardio and mileage base, leaving me better prepared for speed work. On to the race report:
The Maze:
A mere month after the marathon, I was questioning my sanity, as the first race in the 30K trail series loomed. I soon learned that a 30K on the trails can feel a lot like a marathon. Started before sunrise, opted not to wear a headlamp (good choice), set the watch to beep every 15 minutes to remind me to hydrate and (every other beep) eat. Ran with Noel from work, who started faster than was comfortable for me, and I worked to keep up anyway. Here's where I learned to never disregard start easy, finish strong. Before the first aid station, I let Noel know I needed to back off a bit, and she graciously slowed her pace somewhat. But I was already working beyond comfortably hard, and would hover there the rest of the race, miserably so in the last 10K. After the aid station at mile 3, Noel offered to regale me with the epic saga of her week of jury duty on a criminal case. I don't quite understand how people have conversations while running. For me, talking expends energy that I need to keep running. The only reason Noel didn't beat me in this race is because she talked for at least six miles. Granted, I asked some clarifying questions and threw in some commentary, but even so, I was still working to maintain pace while she blithely bantered and ran.
Oof! early in loop 2 of the 3 loop race, my toe caught a root when I cut between two trees and I went down hard on my right knee, reopening a scrape from the previous weekend. That's a pain that's gonna linger. Not supposed to be experiencing the last lap lazies just yet, but I am already fatigued. Noel waits while I assess the damage and then we ease back into running. She cautions me to take it easy and let the adrenaline settle. Good advice. When we finish the second loop, Robin is there with the Gracie dog, who gets quite confused when I run past.
Loop 3 is a practice in managing discomfort, staying alert enough to keep from tripping again, and a hard realization that I'm not fully recovered from the marathon. Post-marathon, both quads were sore to the bone for a week and a half. The left more so than the right. Years ago, when I played softball, I trashed my left quad sprinting bases. Every spring, I'd pull the same muscle early in the season, but I haven't been that kind of sore in years. The last 10K of the trail race brought that to mind and I decided that the marathon had aggravated the old injury (muscle memory works both ways) and this trail race wasn't helping matters. Fortunately I had a massage scheduled for later in the week. My awesome pacer Noel pushed me onward, claiming my marathon training gave me the edge on the last 10K. We managed to pass another masters female in the last 5K and I finished a couple of seconds ahead of Noel.
The aftermath: Third in my age group, 5th masters female, and not quite as sore as after the marathon - I was able to walk downstairs by Wednesday following the race. That's progress. There was serious chafing, but I'll spare you the details.
A note about Noel: two weeks after The Maze, she was in quite the bike crash and suffered broken jawbone, cheek, and orbital bones. Fortunately, she was wearing a helmet and riding with a friend who was able to get emergency help. There was no car involved in the crash; one moment she hit a spot of gravel and next she was on the pavement, unconscious. Scary. It's motivated me to finally get a RoadID. Ride with a helmet and emergency identification/information, you never know when you'll need it.
04 April 2011
more marathon recollections
Found the following the other night. As with many things, I'm fortunate that I wrote them down, because I would never have remembered them otherwise. Please note these were written the day I ran the marathon, while I was still high from the experience and effort. In other words, it's a mixed bag and much dorkiness/corniness may follow. Stuff in brackets [] are my edits.
What did I see and experience today?
The strength of my heart and will
My perseverance and willingness to work - to do the hard work toward reaching a personal goal [In all my years of running, I've never put my abilities on the line/to the test the way I did training for and racing this marathon. My first words after finishing: "Oh my God, that was hard"]
Slips of blue sky above the clouds
Delightful, cooling breezes
People who came out for reasons I don't entirely understand to cheer on marathoners. Are most of them there to see people they know and cheer for strangers while they wait?
Runners in tutus
Runners in veils
A squirrel as frenetic about crossing the road as if negotiating through oncoming runners were as challenging as negotiating through oncoming cars. Seriously little dude, we're not moving that fast.
A rare glimpse of my fun-loving, adventurous spirit. [What else explains why I jumped into a 50 degree lake after the race? Totally worth it, by the way]
There probably was more, but I fell asleep as I was writing, so there you go.
Incidentally, I never completely lost any toenails, they're all still hanging on for the ride, a couple by only tiny slivers, but they're there. Still have the marathon splits in my watch, too.
Coming soon - trail race reports. I have my second 30K this weekend. After a practice loop of the race course last Saturday morning, I was dreading the race. Then I managed to work in a solo 14 mile greenbelt run Sunday evening wherein I realized I've been going too fast in my training runs. Being competitive with my training group is appropriate for speedwork and hills, not so much for the long runs. Sunday's run was at a comfortable pace and it felt good to focus only on my effort and not chase anyone. It helped that there was no one to chase. So, my outlook for the race is a little better today. No time goal. Actually, I expect I'll be some minutes slower than the last race. Ok by me.
Also, nice to notice the only thought about my foot issue is that I'm not thinking about it. Tonight's 7.5 miles of fartleks in the minimalist trainers confirm - the foot is healed.
What did I see and experience today?
The strength of my heart and will
My perseverance and willingness to work - to do the hard work toward reaching a personal goal [In all my years of running, I've never put my abilities on the line/to the test the way I did training for and racing this marathon. My first words after finishing: "Oh my God, that was hard"]
Slips of blue sky above the clouds
Delightful, cooling breezes
People who came out for reasons I don't entirely understand to cheer on marathoners. Are most of them there to see people they know and cheer for strangers while they wait?
Runners in tutus
Runners in veils
A squirrel as frenetic about crossing the road as if negotiating through oncoming runners were as challenging as negotiating through oncoming cars. Seriously little dude, we're not moving that fast.
A rare glimpse of my fun-loving, adventurous spirit. [What else explains why I jumped into a 50 degree lake after the race? Totally worth it, by the way]
There probably was more, but I fell asleep as I was writing, so there you go.
Incidentally, I never completely lost any toenails, they're all still hanging on for the ride, a couple by only tiny slivers, but they're there. Still have the marathon splits in my watch, too.
Coming soon - trail race reports. I have my second 30K this weekend. After a practice loop of the race course last Saturday morning, I was dreading the race. Then I managed to work in a solo 14 mile greenbelt run Sunday evening wherein I realized I've been going too fast in my training runs. Being competitive with my training group is appropriate for speedwork and hills, not so much for the long runs. Sunday's run was at a comfortable pace and it felt good to focus only on my effort and not chase anyone. It helped that there was no one to chase. So, my outlook for the race is a little better today. No time goal. Actually, I expect I'll be some minutes slower than the last race. Ok by me.
Also, nice to notice the only thought about my foot issue is that I'm not thinking about it. Tonight's 7.5 miles of fartleks in the minimalist trainers confirm - the foot is healed.
20 March 2011
Race Report: Austin Marathon 2/20/2011 (Part Two)
The rest of the race is mostly a remembrance of the level of pain (or discomfort) I was experiencing, or the friends I saw along the route.
Miles 13.1-15
As I make the turn onto Bull Creek, I realize I'm not going to remember much from this race. I'm so focused on my effort level, what's going on with my body, and getting through each mile that I'm not taking in much of what's going on around me. That makes some sense because this is my town. I have biked and run these roads so much over years of training that it's familiar. But especially after the halfway point, a lot of the race is just as much a blur today as it was when I ran it. Things I do recall:
Miles 16-20
Making the turn onto White Rock, the only thing on my mind is the long false flat of Great Northern that's coming up. I'm totally zoned out when my buddy Noel from work yells my name from the sidelines and starts running with me. She lets me know the four hour pace group is a little ahead of me (I file that tidbit away with no comment - their race is not my race), asks me how I'm doing, tells me not to waste energy responding, then proceeds to ask lots of questions. I end up chatting more than I intended, which takes an energy toll. But I'm glad for the brief bit of company. I recover from the conversation by the time I hit Great Northern. I'm hoping to see Devon & Christina's crew along here, and sure enough, they spot me as I approach Greenlawn. Again, nice to see support along the route. I had only planned one gel during this section of the race, but take two (good thing I brought that extra) about three miles apart. I think both were caffeinated, so that's three caffeinated gels for the day. I'm still working hard, the quads are tightening up a bit more, but aren't yet painful, and around mile 17 realize that I'm no longer having any discomfort from the hot spots or my foot. I hit mile 20 a little slower than goal pace, but a lot can happen in 6.2 miles.
Miles 21-26.2
I take my last gel between miles 20-21. Five more miles seems like a loooooong way from here. I start gradually picking up my pace around mile 21. From here on it's a total guessing game. I'm trying to hit my splits on my watch but keep missing the roadside mile markers, so I really have no idea what my pace is. That probably worked in my favor to motivate me to work harder. Between 21-22 I wonder if I've had too much caffeine because I feel a little nauseous, but that works itself out within a mile. Alisha & Scott are at North Loop and Lamar with their pups, and a sign for me! Yay. And I see Vishal from training group! More yay! I chose to walk through each aid station to make sure I was adequately hydrating, but in those last 5 miles, it got harder and harder to start running again. By the time I hit mile 23, the legs are really tight. The best I can do is focus on quick, light feet. The less time my feet are on the ground, the less pain in my quads. Other than the quad pain, everything else feels ok, but I'm ready to be done. I am passing lots of people, but it happens in super slow motion. I feel like I'm either zoned out or that I have pinpoint focus on the work at hand (and it is definitely work), I can't tell which, probably doesn't matter.
When I hit mile 25, I am delighted to see that I am two minutes faster than goal pace. Which means I have 10 minutes to run the last 1.2 miles. At least that's how the math worked out in my head. I realize I've got my sub-four in the bag and the thought occurs to me that I could take it easy for the last 1.2. I quickly throw that option out the proverbial window. In all my years of running, I rarely put it all on the line, rarely raced, and am finally learning what it feels like to "leave it all on the course" so that is exactly what I will do until I cross the finish line. This last 1.2 is not easy, those San Jac hills are looming, so I keep something in reserve for them as I run through the t.u. campus. When I hit San Jacinto, I get a little unexpected motivation. Off to my right, two young women are cheering on a girlfriend of theirs, but I find them overly loud and annoying so I run faster to get out of earshot. Before I know it, I'm up & over San Jacinto and heading downhill to Congress. I wait to make the turn onto Congress to open up, but as soon as I do, my legs almost buckle, so I dial it down a notch, then keep pushing across the finish. First marathon done. 3:58:45. Tough, but worth it.
Post Race Thanks
The cheering sections - Devon's family, Christina's family, Noel, Alisha & Scott, Vishal, the volunteers, Bad Amber & Company - thanks for the motivation and encouragement!
Robin - my post-race domestique. That was an unexpected surprise. Thanks for schlepping my stuff, putting up with my rambling, and keeping me company.
Devon's Dad - my loaner dad for the day, who brought fresh garlands from Hawaii for Devon, Christina, and me. Incredibly sweet!
Emily, Nicole & Robin - for joining me for the impromptu celebratory steak dinner
Amy - for the coaching and for helping me create a realistic race plan
Me - for doing the work to train for and execute said plan
My body - for holding together for 26.2
I'm probably forgetting something or someone, but this report is as overdue as the marathon was, so I'm calling it done.
What's next?
I've already signed up for another marathon in the fall. For now, I'm spending the spring trail running - just ran my first 30K race today - and will return to triathlons (and marathon training) this summer.
Miles 13.1-15
As I make the turn onto Bull Creek, I realize I'm not going to remember much from this race. I'm so focused on my effort level, what's going on with my body, and getting through each mile that I'm not taking in much of what's going on around me. That makes some sense because this is my town. I have biked and run these roads so much over years of training that it's familiar. But especially after the halfway point, a lot of the race is just as much a blur today as it was when I ran it. Things I do recall:
The musicians I thought would be an annoyance were absolutely wonderful. I got an energy boost and remembered to smile every time I saw them. Favorite group: the kids choir (Palm School, maybe?)At this point, I'm working a little harder than "comfortably" hard, though "comfortably" in this sense has no relation to sitting on the sofa watching a movie. Then I remember that Amber, who I trained with for my first Half-Iron tri, lives along the course and throws a marathon-watching party in her front yard every year. It's epic - they practically drag their living room onto the front lawn. And there they are - Bad Amber, Amanda, and Mandy, standing in the street cheering us on (probably Shelley, too, but I didn't see her). They recognized me as I ran past and I got another surge of energy that lasted about 200 yards. I'm pretty sure I took in another gel during these miles, but, you know, it's a blur.
The aid station volunteers were also wonderful. Some of them had quite the knack for finding and reading names from race bibs and addressing runners (including me!) by name as they handed out water. By the time I got to Bull Creek, I was no longer with Devon and Christina, so that bit of personalized attention was very welcome.
There was one unfortunate volunteer at the aid station along Bull Creek who cheerfully told runners "it's all downhill from here!" I am sure she meant it to be encouraging, but I knew all too well there were hills waiting for me in mile 25 and plenty of false flats before that. I realize I'm overly sensitive to comments like this after all the time spent on the AT hearing people say "you're almost there" when I'm a whole state (or two) away from the end, or "it's all downhill from here" when, quite obviously, it's not. So as I passed, perhaps with a little more bite than necessary, I yelled back "Stop saying that!"
Miles 16-20
Making the turn onto White Rock, the only thing on my mind is the long false flat of Great Northern that's coming up. I'm totally zoned out when my buddy Noel from work yells my name from the sidelines and starts running with me. She lets me know the four hour pace group is a little ahead of me (I file that tidbit away with no comment - their race is not my race), asks me how I'm doing, tells me not to waste energy responding, then proceeds to ask lots of questions. I end up chatting more than I intended, which takes an energy toll. But I'm glad for the brief bit of company. I recover from the conversation by the time I hit Great Northern. I'm hoping to see Devon & Christina's crew along here, and sure enough, they spot me as I approach Greenlawn. Again, nice to see support along the route. I had only planned one gel during this section of the race, but take two (good thing I brought that extra) about three miles apart. I think both were caffeinated, so that's three caffeinated gels for the day. I'm still working hard, the quads are tightening up a bit more, but aren't yet painful, and around mile 17 realize that I'm no longer having any discomfort from the hot spots or my foot. I hit mile 20 a little slower than goal pace, but a lot can happen in 6.2 miles.
Miles 21-26.2
I take my last gel between miles 20-21. Five more miles seems like a loooooong way from here. I start gradually picking up my pace around mile 21. From here on it's a total guessing game. I'm trying to hit my splits on my watch but keep missing the roadside mile markers, so I really have no idea what my pace is. That probably worked in my favor to motivate me to work harder. Between 21-22 I wonder if I've had too much caffeine because I feel a little nauseous, but that works itself out within a mile. Alisha & Scott are at North Loop and Lamar with their pups, and a sign for me! Yay. And I see Vishal from training group! More yay! I chose to walk through each aid station to make sure I was adequately hydrating, but in those last 5 miles, it got harder and harder to start running again. By the time I hit mile 23, the legs are really tight. The best I can do is focus on quick, light feet. The less time my feet are on the ground, the less pain in my quads. Other than the quad pain, everything else feels ok, but I'm ready to be done. I am passing lots of people, but it happens in super slow motion. I feel like I'm either zoned out or that I have pinpoint focus on the work at hand (and it is definitely work), I can't tell which, probably doesn't matter.
When I hit mile 25, I am delighted to see that I am two minutes faster than goal pace. Which means I have 10 minutes to run the last 1.2 miles. At least that's how the math worked out in my head. I realize I've got my sub-four in the bag and the thought occurs to me that I could take it easy for the last 1.2. I quickly throw that option out the proverbial window. In all my years of running, I rarely put it all on the line, rarely raced, and am finally learning what it feels like to "leave it all on the course" so that is exactly what I will do until I cross the finish line. This last 1.2 is not easy, those San Jac hills are looming, so I keep something in reserve for them as I run through the t.u. campus. When I hit San Jacinto, I get a little unexpected motivation. Off to my right, two young women are cheering on a girlfriend of theirs, but I find them overly loud and annoying so I run faster to get out of earshot. Before I know it, I'm up & over San Jacinto and heading downhill to Congress. I wait to make the turn onto Congress to open up, but as soon as I do, my legs almost buckle, so I dial it down a notch, then keep pushing across the finish. First marathon done. 3:58:45. Tough, but worth it.
Post Race Thanks
The cheering sections - Devon's family, Christina's family, Noel, Alisha & Scott, Vishal, the volunteers, Bad Amber & Company - thanks for the motivation and encouragement!
Robin - my post-race domestique. That was an unexpected surprise. Thanks for schlepping my stuff, putting up with my rambling, and keeping me company.
Devon's Dad - my loaner dad for the day, who brought fresh garlands from Hawaii for Devon, Christina, and me. Incredibly sweet!
Emily, Nicole & Robin - for joining me for the impromptu celebratory steak dinner
Amy - for the coaching and for helping me create a realistic race plan
Me - for doing the work to train for and execute said plan
My body - for holding together for 26.2
I'm probably forgetting something or someone, but this report is as overdue as the marathon was, so I'm calling it done.
What's next?
I've already signed up for another marathon in the fall. For now, I'm spending the spring trail running - just ran my first 30K race today - and will return to triathlons (and marathon training) this summer.
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