#first time marathoner

[drunkraisinsandcoffee]

My longest run since December 2018! Also my last run in St. Louis, at least till next year. Beautiful city with so much history, from the Arch through downtown to at least 20th St., along Market St.

[drunkraisinsandcoffee]

Before: "This is going to be my first and last marathon, I swear to God."

After: "Holy shit. When can I do this again?"

[drunkraisinsandcoffee]

Can you get frostbite on the ears and/or eyes? Because I came back from my run this morning and can't feel either.

I think I forgot what it's like to live in the mountains.

🥶

[drunkraisinsandcoffee]

Long run (6.8 mi) this morning, the longest I've run since my last half marathon in early December. This pumpkin muffin and Mexican Mocha have never tasted so good.

[drunkraisinsandcoffee]

I can't calendar, apparently. I just finished writing out the entire "20-week marathon training plan' into my planner....only to realize that the plan actually ends the week before the race. As in, it's actually a 19-week plan with race day at the beginning (Sunday) of the 20th week.

Feeeeeeck. To be fair, the author of this book calls it a "5-month training plan", not specifically "20 weeks," but 5 months usually = 20 weeks, and sometimes 21, depending on the time of year. And the table outlining the entire plan in the book actually has a "Week 20"....except I only just noticed that the race kicks off Week 20, with the rest of the day marked for "P-A-R-T-Y." 😤

I guess I should have marked down the weeks at the outset but it didn't occur to me. Maybe that's how all training plans are set up? And yeah, I know, super trivial in the grand scheme of things. And considering all the travel I have scheduled in the intervening months -- including one big international trip -- I should consider this an unexpected blessing because it gives me a whole week's buffer should I miss a workout or two.

But it also means making sure I don't taper too soon. Maybe experienced marathoners can adjust easily, but as a first-timer and a fortysomething, I don't want to underestimate anything and want to stick as closely as possible to the plan.

Oh well. Onward!

[doyoueverwonderwhy]

Fox Cities Marathon - September 23, 2018

Here’s a rambling recap and some take aways and tips!

A nervous stomach meant I only ate half of my planned breakfast.

My parents, who acted as on course support because they’re awesome, got delayed and showed up to the start like 10 minutes before the gun.

Talked to a lady at the start who wanted to come in last (I think she’s an ultra runner?) (spoiler: she actually did)

I didn’t have a very specific plan, but when I saw a 6:00 pacer I knew it was a good place to be.

It was a very good place. Having the structure (2/1 intervals) and company was super helpful, and I guarantee it saved my race.

There was a church choir serenading us at one point - cool, but strange.

Pace group included another first timer and a “legacy runner” who has been part of all 28 years of this race.

Felt really good through about the halfway point, then it started to feel like work

Met my parents at mile 16 for fresh socks and a bottle of coke, desperately needed as I was starting to crash pretty hard

Had several people I had run previous miles with/near ask if I was okay - runners are such nice people.

Dad joined me for about a quarter mile - I feel bad that I was walking most of that part

Recovered a bit as the sugar hit my system, and kept up run/walk intervals pretty well through about mile 21

At the 4 hour mark they opened some of the roads on the course which I’m a little salty about - the stated cut off is 7 hours

My parents met me again around mile 22 - dad jogged with me again along a neat part of the course, it’s all on boardwalk/bridge/dock stuff over the lake

Somewhere past mile 24 I had three medical support-type people ask if I was okay/wanted a ride/etc - I was really hurting at that point but with less than 2 to go my main thoughts were “DON’T YOU DARE TAKE THIS FROM ME!”

Spent a lot of this time trying not to cry

Greg was waiting at the 26 mile marker and I nearly lost it when I saw him (I have tried but cannot express how much it meant to me to see him there)

Decided that I was going to run the last .2 miles, Greg jogged alongside the course (I didn’t notice at first and almost lost it again when I did)(A LOT of trying not to cry going on)

Struck a triumphant pose (see photo 1!)

My parents got lost at some point and missed the finish which kinda sucks, but it is what it is

Had planned on doing something with them afterward because I’m dumb and thought I’d want to do anything afterward

Got home, showered, napped, and took a soaking bath - precious few steps involved

Take Aways/Tips/Two Days Later:

I aggravated an old ankle sprain, but that is currently my main issue as of Tuesday evening - my muscles are sore but I’m able to walk fairly normally already.

Have a plan for your pace/splits - I didn’t and I probably wouldn’t have finished if I didn’t join that pacer.

Fueling is super important (duh) - with my half breakfast and basically forgetting about the chews I’d brought along I did not do a good job of this

Wear sunscreen, even if you don’t think you need it! The last thing you need on top of the other aches and pains is sunburned shoulders.

If you can find a pace team/friend/anyone else to run with, do it - Mary saved my butt and I’ll love her forever

Her mantra was something along the lines of “you are 100% allowed to quit, but only after you cross the finish line” and “if you don’t finish you just have to train all over again”

It was an experience, and (realistically, because I’m dumb) I’ll probably do another one some day but for the sake of training and race day I’m gonna wait until I’m much faster. But hey:

I’M A MARATHONER!

@fatmaninalittlesuit - since I said I’d write a post and there may be a nugget of useful information in there.

[healthylivingholly]

So, What's Next?

So, What’s Next?

Hi everyone! It has officially been (just over) a week since the Victoria Marathon. Incase you missed it, you can view my expo recap & pre-marathon thoughts here and the race day review, too. That should bring you up to speed! I wanted to share a (dorky) video I made last week about my thoughts on the marathon and what’s next to come.…

View On WordPress

[healthylivingholly]

GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon - Part 2 THE RACE!

GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon – Part 2 THE RACE!

Alright, we are back for part TWO of the marathon weekend! Yep, this brings us to race day. Yesterday I chatted about the zip up jacket the marathoners got, and this is it! I love it so much. It is warm and cozy, and I of course had to represent on marathon morning! Ryan and I took tons of pictures before the race started, and yes, that meant me posing in front of the Parliament buildings. The…

View On WordPress