26.2 - BQ & Injury? Grandma's Marathon Race Report

How to put into words something you have worked, sweated and dreamed about for years? I want to shout from the mountaintops "I am a MARATHONER!". I feel like wearing my finishers' t-shirt everyday (and maybe my medal, race number...) but I digress.

I'm smiling because I had just seen my family. :)

Saturday morning we awoke to heavy rain in Duluth. It was not looking good for the 35th running of Grandma's Marathon. I had resigned myself to slogging along and kissing my time dreams good-bye.

Duluth is not a huge city so we had to stay about 90 minutes away in a whistle stop called Hinkley. Grandma's Marathon is a point to point race which meant I had to board a bus at 5:30....which also meant I had to wake up at 2:45 to leave at 3:30.  (Did I mention I have an amazing family that is so supportive of me?)

After getting a little bit lost we made it to the buses and I hopped aboard. It was raining heavily and my fellow racers and I commiserated about the weather for the 30 minute ride to the start. Literally as the bus pulled up to the start the rain stopped.  It remained cloudy & 50 degrees with a few sprinkles here and there, but throw in the tailwind and the weather was just about perfect.

Two nerve induced pit stops later it was time for the gun! Before the start the pacer had said he liked to go out fast and lose the people who couldn't keep the pace. I thought it was joke, but no, he took off like a bat out of you-know-where. The first couple miles were sub-8. I knew I couldn't keep that pace so I let them go. It's interesting with each race what your mantra ends up being and what gets you through. Saturday after those first 3 really fast miles I knew I had to run my race and this was my day. I relaxed into my own pace and settled in to run my race.

The course is beautiful. The first 18 miles are along the lake and you get really stunning views. I tried to take it all in and not just stare at the pavement the whole time!

I couldn't believe how quickly it all seemed to go. After all the months of training the actual race seemed to fly by. It remained rather uneventful until mile 23 when I felt a searing pain under the toes of my right foot. I knew I was on-pace but didn't have any time to spare but I had to check and make sure I was ok. I was certain that I was going to fine blood in my shoe but thankfully when I pulled off my sock I saw only a blister. I put on my shoe again and took off.

My amazing family met me at mile 25 with high fives and cheers. My hubby looked so proud and said "you're right on time!" and I knew my goal was in reach. I picked it up and killed the last 1.2.

Thank God I ran the last mile hard because my Garmin was off on time. The only thing I can think of is the auto-pause activated because the Garmin time was almost 2 minutes faster than chip time.

But can I just say either way I qualified. Barely. ;)  When it hit me at the finish line that I had run my race and hit my goal I was overcome and cried. That's when my daughter took this photo of me hugging my son. He is my biggest cheerleader and gave me the sweetest post-race hug. I'm so thankful that as I pursue this passion I have a family who supports me AND puts up with me!

Garmin time 3:43:31 (and 26.32 miles but who's counting?)

Chip time 3:45

Thank you sweetie for loving & encouraging me all the way to 26.2!

After the race I was hurting so off to the hotel for a little r&r. This photo may or may not have been staged.

Now for some rest and reverse tapering. I think I changed my gait in the last couple miles to compensate for the blister so I'm paying for that in my 5th metatarsal. No break but it's very bruised. I'm under Dr.'s orders for no running until it doesn't hurt any more. I'm trying to remember that as much as my brain is ready to hit the road again, I want to run for the long haul so it's ok to take a break to heal. To the pool I come! :)

Marathon Training - the glamour and firsts

It's 4 weeks from my first 26.2. I feel ready and well trained.

Every week there is a first - the first 16 - first 18 and the first 20 miler last week. Every week I am amazed by the fact that I can actually finish.

Finding time for the long run is proving  a bit more challenging with the times getting close to the 3 hour mark. Thank God last week I ran early because I had a momentous first:

I had to pee. Twice. On the trail.

I've discovered that Gu with caffeine has quite a different effect on my insides than decaffeinated. Really happy to have learned this lesson on a training run and not race day!

As you all probably know already training is not all glamorous. Sometimes you find yourself on the couch Sunday afternoon looking like you stole your outfit from an Oompa Loompa with frozen veggies on your knees that won't bend past 45 degrees. And it's ok.

Anyone else going for their first 26.2 this season? What have you encountered that surprised you?

Guilty & a Giveaway

I'm guilty and I can admit it freely. I have a few (ok a lot) of running blogs that I stalk. One of my favs and I'm sure yours too is SUAR. I love the inspiration of her BQ and her recovery from injury and I equally enjoy her (ahem) bodily function stories.


I am so honored that she wore our necklace for her Boston race I may just print off a copy and carry it in my purse.

Hop on over to SUAR's blog for a chance to win a $50 voucher to Sporty Girl. Good luck!

15 miles of suckiness & carbs

Yesterday was my first 15 mile run and it was rough. The run began well with nice temperatures and a good attitude. I was daydreaming about "qualifying" someday and had a good rhythm.

And then. I. bonked. I just ran out of gas at mile 8. I didn't have any water or gatorade with me so I stopped in Kwik Shop where they took pity on me and gave me some water. I drank that with my gu and took a few minute break before heading out to finish. It was ok the next few miles but the last 3 took everything I had. I didn't cut the run short because I knew that I would be even more disappointed in myself but I did take a couple short walk breaks.

I am going to take a couple days off and just chalk that up to inadequate fuel. I did go and pick up a fuel belt so next week I won't be stuck without hydration.

I met my hubby for lunch after and have mercy was I depleted. The sweet waitress was taking her time about taking our order so I finally asked if we could have some bread. Please. I said I just ran 15 miles and I really need some carbs. And then a few tears leaked out. Seriously. It was so embarrassing.

This was the first time we'd eaten at this restaurant and they make their own pasta every day. It was simply delicious and I enjoyed every bit.

How do you overcome tough runs?

How do you hydrate and fuel before/during/after long runs?

The Parkway Rocked! - Race Report - and a coupon!

First of all thank you to everyone who commented or emailed about pace groups. I really appreciated all of the insight!

Saturday I ran the Rock the Parkway 1/2 marathon in Kansas City. It was the first 1/2 I've done where my goal was not just to finish - but I had a goal pace in mind. I spoke with the pacers at the packet pick-up and they suggested that I start one time back from my goal time since I have not raced at this pace before. Even though I felt confident in my time I decided to take their advice.


Saturday morning arrived with PERFECT, that's right PERFECT IMO race conditions. At race time the temp was about 50 degrees, sunny and no wind (a Kansas miracle!).


My goal time was 1:45 so I started with the 1:50 pace team as they suggested. The pacers were awesome and did a great job. My only complaint about running in the group was the other runners! It felt like some people just couldn't figure out how to run in a straight line and kept bobbing and weaving back and forth in front of me.


By mile 6 I was feeling pretty great and started thinking about dropping from the group. But since it was my first "goal time" race I decided to stick with them a few more miles to make sure I had enough left for a strong finish.


At mile 9 I broke from the group and put in a kick for the finish line. I hope you can see the detail of the gentleman's face in this photo because it is pure anguish. I'm secretly hoping he's thinking "man, I just got passed by 4 girls!" :)

I didn't make up all 5 minutes to my goal, but finished strong with a time of 1:48. I was so happy with my race I've worn my race t-shirt 2x already.

Can't wait for the full in June!

To celebrate here is a coupon code just for my readers. Use code RACE10 for 10% off your order on www.sportygirljewelry.com. Happy shopping!