HMMMMMM............
How is it possible that this was the worst race experience I have EVER had but it is also a PR?
I had trained for a 3:15-3:20 marathon but I am super happy with a 3:26 considering how horrible I fetl for 20 miles.
It all started 2 weeks before the race when I came down with a cold. I had been coughing up a lot of junk for 10 days but the last couple of days before the race I felt pretty good. My ears were still a bit clogged but I wasn't really coughing much anymore. I even cleaned out my sinus' with a salt and baking soda solution. I knew I wasn't in 100% condition but I really wasn't concerned at all, I thought I would feel just fine for the race. I stayed on top of my asthma meds knowing that my lungs had been weakend a bit from the cold but I really was feeling fine.
Jackie, Ana, and I met at the buses and rode up to the top together. We found jen almost immediatley after getting off the buses. We headed straight to the POP lines and they were super short so it didn't take long. We then hung out by the fires for a few min and chatted. We headed back to the POP lines went one more time and then dropped off our clothing bags at the truck. We lined up with about 5 min to start and wished each other luck and exchanged words of encouragement.
I took off ahead of them cause my goal was faster then theirs. I felt good and kept telling myself to run relaxed. I payed close attention to my breathing and made sure it didn't sound labored. For the first few miles I ran along the side to pass people. I didn't want to take any extra steps weaving in and out of people.
First 7 mile splits 7:26, 7:31, 7:13, 7:02, 7:21, 7:02, 7:09
In hind sight would I have run the first 7 miles slower? Maybe but then maybe not... I really spent a lot of that time paying attention to my body making sure I was running relaxed and very comfortable.
It all started with Veyo. My legs were on fire up Veyo I couldn't control my breathing and I was really hurting. I slowed considerable and kept my effort even. Once I reached the top I expected it would take maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 mile to recover but the relief never came and I ran the rest of the race struggling to breath and trying to keep my heart rate down.
I tried to stay calm and just get to 12 knowing that after 12 the down hill starts. I spent those miles considering walking sooooo many times. I couldn't wait for each water station so I could walk through them. I was trying so hard to stay positive and not give up completely I started calculating what I need to get under 3:35 and qualify for boston and I still really wasn't sure I could do that.
8-12 splits 7:59, 8:03, 8:06, 8:15, 8:09
Again after these miles just more of the same. The word I used for this race over and over again was relax. I decided to stop looking at my watch at this point and just run. I was struggling through every mile and made each water station my next goal. I allowed myself to walk through each water station and I really needed it emotionally. I kept telling myself this was just a rough patch and it would get better soon but it NEVER did.
13-21 splits 7:45, 8:13, 7:40, 7:27, 7:48, 7:54, 8:27, 8:02, 7:40
The last few miles I cried a bit and tried so hard to keep it together. Ana ran past me around mile 21 and she looked so strong and happy, I really wanted to look strong and happy too but I felt miserable. I saw my husband around mile 24 and told him not to talk to me. Every step was so hard. I crossed the finish line and stood in the showers and bawled. I saw Ana and bawled. I turned around and saw Jackie had run 3:29 and bawled. Then I layed in the grass face down and bawled.
I am happy with my time but really dissapointed with the experience,:(
22-26 splits 8:20, 8:32, 7:49, 8:28, 8:19, last .2 2:08
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