Marine Corps Marathon - Race Report

Sunday was my second marathon, and my second time running the Marine Corps Marathon. As expected it was a wonderful experience. I was having a ton of anxiety this year because hurricane Sandy was headed to DC and was supposed to hit the day of the race. Luckily the rain held off until Sunday night. It was a little windy, but I am just happy I didn't have to run 26.2 miles soaking wet.

My sister Chrissy ran the MCM 10K, so we left the house around 5:30am and headed to the Metro station. Last year I made my dad and Ryan come with me, so they were thrilled that Chrissy was able to me my Metro buddy this year. Both races started at 7:55am, at different locations. The 10K started at the Smithsonian and ended at Iwo Jima and the MCM started at the Pentagon and ended at Iwo Jima.

Two Osprey's Flying Over the Starting Line 

I headed to the start line at around 7:50am after waiting in line for the bathroom for about 20 minutes. I didn't have time to make it to the right corral for my expected finish time so I ended up lining up wherever I could which was with the 4:30 expected finish timers.

The start of the race was slow because it was so crowded, but I didn't mind... it let me enjoy the spectators and scenery. I felt really good for the first 14 miles, not pushing my pace too much. By the time I reached mile 14 Chrissy had finished the 10K and headed back into DC to meet up with Ryan and my Dad. I got to see them at 3 different points along the race which was great.

Running for World Peace!

I really started to struggle at the 14th Street Bridge, which was around mile 20. My legs were feeling weak and I was pretty much ready for a beer at that point. I powered through Crystal City and the last few miles knowing the end was in sight. There is a short steep hill at the very end of the race, which is a absolute killer...but knowing I was so close to the finish I pretty much sprinted up it and pushed myself to finish strong.

Finish Line at the Iwo Jima Memorial

Official finish time 4:15:36. My goal was to finish is four hours, which I obviously didn't achieve, but I am happy with my performance, I couldn't have pushed myself any harder. If I had a faster start I probably could have shaved off a few minutes. Next year I will need to get there even earlier to get in the correct starting corral.

I will post more pictures when we get home. We are still stuck in Virginia because of the storm. We have had two flights cancelled, but hope to fly out tomorrow afternoon...fingers crossed.

Track Me at the MCM

If you want to track me at the MCM on Sunday click the link below.

http://www.xacte.com/templates/mcm/supporter.html

Search for my name and click the phone icon on the left side to receive text message updates.

5 More Days!!!!!

Race Report - Livestrong Half Marathon

The LIVELONG LIVESTRONG Half Marathon was yesterday. It was for a good cause so I am not going to complain too much. I woke up and hit the road at 5:30am so I could get there in time to pick up my race packet and eat my PB&J before the race started at 7am. On my way it started sprinkling a little bit, I thought it was just one of our typical Florida showers. Boy was I wrong.

I stopped at CVS and got a poncho just in case....but it seemed to be clearing up so I just left it the car. It wasn't raining until about 2 minutes before 7am, which is when the down pour began. I was mostly concerned that my iPhone would be ruined, so rather then wearing my elastic band on the outside of my clothes I wore it on the inside to hopefully protect my phone a little bit more. The phone was fine, but the side of my waist where a little piece of Velcro rubbed my skin raw is not.

Anyway...I my goal for this race was to finish in less than 2 hours, which would be a new PR and to practice pacing myself so I am ready for my next marathon in a few weeks. Well...I was unsuccessful at both. I started out the race at a super fast pace, thinking if I ran faster I would get out of the rain. Obviously that didn't work. The hard rain continued for about 30 minutes and then was off an on for the rest of the race. Either way I was totally soaked and miserable. Since I was pushing my pace so much at the beginning I was also completely spent my mile 9.

I knew at about mile 9 that I was not going to be able to finish in less than 2 hours. It would be close, but I was in no condition to make up 6 minutes in 4 miles. There were not too many spectators because it was such a small race, but Ryan was waiting at the corner for me when I reached the home stretch into Gulfstream Park. I told him to bring the camera so I could get pictures to post....he took a few pictures, but they are so horrible I deleted them immediately.

I finished in 2:06: 31, 7th in my age group and 118th overall.

Even though I was not happy with the way I raced, It made me realize that I really need to start slow at my marathon in a few weeks. I don't think I could have finished a full marathon yesterday if I had to. I definitely don't want to put myself in that situation at the Marine Corps Marathon. I plan in keeping a very slow pace to start out the race, so I can finish strong and actually enjoy all of the sights and spectator support.

Please Help Me...Save the Tatas!

I am participating in the LIVELONG LIVESTRONG Half Marathon next Saturday, October 13^th at Gulf Stream Park. Please show your support and help me reach my fundraising goal by clicking on the link below. I am looking forward to wearing my “Rockin Tatas” tank top at the race, which always gets a lot of cheers from the crowd!

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support LIVELONG Benefiting LIVESTRONG

I am racing in honor of my friend and fellow marathoner Jenny Dreyer who lost her battle with breast cancer this past August.

Less than 30 days!

I am extremely excited that the Marine Corps Marathon is in less than 30 days. Only 3 more weekends to go! I have been slacking the past two weeks with my training. Between work, cross fit and life I have missed a couple of runs…but I have not missed any of my long runs. I did 22 miles last weekend on the treadmill with no problem, my feet were tired and sore for the rest of the afternoon, but I was not sore at all, even the next day.

Yesterday I ran 15 on the treadmill which was a breeze. I only have one more really long run before the actual marathon which is scheduled for this Sunday, another 22 miles. Then I will be on the home stretch into taper mode.

I already have the entire MCM weekend agenda planned out, almost to the minute. Since my sister Chrissy is running the MCM 10K this year we can take the metro into the city together rather than forcing my dad and Ryan to get up at the crack of dawn and go with me. I am sure they will appreciate that.

Once upon a time I was hoping to use this race to qualify for the Boston Marathon. That is officially not going to happen. I have not devoted enough time to speed training and I am simply just not fast enough at this point. My goal is to finish in less than 4 hours, which I think is achievable. (all depending on bathroom breaks) I had to stop once last year which added 6 minutes to my time… really frustrating. I can definitely “go” faster than 6 minutes, but the bathroom lines are really long.

28 days to go!!!  Is it too early to start packing?