Marathon 27 done! Ready to move on...
I’ve started and restarted writing this
recap multiple times, partly because I feel like I didn’t really race the
marathon and party because despite not racing I’m frustrated with my running
over the past years. I know I haven’t always been the smartest but I’m the most
frustrated by the fact that I have tried so hard over the past year to be
smart, take time off, do PT, run less, etc and still this. I know it is likely because
we didn’t fully address the problem but still, ugh!
Okay enough, on to the part you’re here
to read…
Saturday we drove 2 hours to Wisconsin so
I could cross another state of my quest for 50 states. Hit the “expo” (okay
really a few tables in a mall), check in to our hotel in the midst of a crazy
influx of guests, 20 minutes in line to check in, crazy! I then got out my
trusty Find Me GF app and searched finding only 3 really safe options with
vegetarian meals too: Chipotle (probably not a smart pre marathon choice),
Noodles (again my usual Pad Thai not pre marathon food) and Olive Garden.
Unfortunately this was prom night and it was packed, luckily the bar seating
was open. I decided a glass of chianti was perfect with my brown rice primavera
and salad. Salad was all mine so I had a small moment where I considered eating
straight out of the serving bowl!
Logistics of race morning were nice, I
woke up (actually slept in), ate my usual breakfast, rolled, relaxed, spent too
much time in the bathroom (sorry TMI but I’ll stop there) and headed downstairs
to catch the shuttle to the start which was 5 minutes away. It was already warm
out 60s and sunny so I shed my jacket, turned in my bag and headed to the start
after I drank my UCAN.
 |
| I ran naked! |
I tried to line up away from pacers and
got in a group of college kids, part of a training class, and decided to run
with them. We chatted the first few miles, they were all shocked I was over
25!! Especially when I informed that I was not close to 25. I had no watch,
just ran what felt good and quickly learned the downside to this. 10K split was
7:58 pace, oops! The hills were starting to get tougher as the heat rose. I was
warm!
Soon I was nearing the half and saw Matt
with my UCAN right before the half. I walked with him and chatted for a minute…my
words: my toe is throbbing (stupid nail!), my thumb hurts (some weird thing for
the past month!) and my hamstring is tight and I’m hot so I’ll be slowing down.
Mile 17 I spotted a DQ and was scheming a
way to get them to give me ice cream without having to pay! I kept moving…
 |
| Best race sign ever! |
By Mile 21 I was searching for a
bathroom, stupid GI issues the previous week. I found one. Walked a bit and
talked on the phone to Matt telling him I was slowing more maybe just walking,
see him at the finish. Then I felt great again, guess I needed that walk break.
About this time we meet up with the half (who start 90 minutes later)
Mile 22, 23 where’s the water stop? There
it is but no water left?! I’m mad and I’m still ahead of most runners.
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| I don't look nearly as bad as I thought! |
Mile 24 through college, water stop with
water but no cups. Who cares, I stop open my mouth and drink from the water
jug!
Mile 25 and again no water. Turn the
corner and Mile 26, the 2nd runner I see on the ground with medical
attention. The finish line is near and I’m done! Marathon 27 in the books. 3:50
something I think, I really didn’t look, and didn’t care.
The leg was tight during the run but not
painful until the 2 hour drive home! I decided I’m done with long drives to
marathons, sitting after is not fun!
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