sidebar | life and training 2.2 – 2.8
I’m a sub-4 hour marathoner.
I’m writing this the day following my race. I am physically wrecked: my hip flexors are barely operational (I have to lift my leg with my hands to change position, get out of bed, or rise from a chair), my hamstrings just as uncooperative. I have a mean blister on my right second toe and third toe that I had to pop in the middle of the night to ease some of the pain. Probably going to lose both toenails. My feet are sore, my ankles achy, even my abdominals are feeling the effort.
Yet I am so full of love, joy, and fulfillment. I’m a sub-4 hour marathoner.
3:49:50 is my official chip time. I landed 5th in my age group, of how many I’m not sure. I crossed with another girl named Kelley, and both of us rang the PR bell in the village. My new personal best is 18 minutes faster than my 4:08:08 at Chicago in 2021.
This race, god, I wish I knew where to start. I was anxious in the morning, as one would be, and went through my typical pre-marathon routine. Journaling, bagel with peanut butter, electrolytes, coffee (shitty, charming hotel coffee). I did some jumping jacks to try and get my digestion moving. Pinned my bib, suited up, changed my mind about my outfit last minute and threw on long sleeves.
I drove out to the race site and parked in their designated marathon lot, which was a good move compared to my initial plan of walking. I had some time to kill so I chilled in Roly Poly for awhile, then use the port-a-potty, then eventually started a warmup mile. I felt good and encouraged by that, and ran into my friend walking from his parking spot when I was almost done. I also realized long sleeves was probably unnecessary, and with 30 minutes till the start gun repinned my bib on my sports bra and tossed the long sleeve in the car. Ended up being a very smart move.
I took a gel with 20 minutes to go, did some stretches, and before I knew it, I was off.
The course loops first around a residential island with cobbled streets, which was a bit awkward since I couldn’t see and bricks are difficult to run on. I felt really strong and in a good rhythm from the get go, but having issues reigning in my pace.
Around mile 4 the sun started rising and my goodness was it glorious! A rich burnt orange that mirrored straight into the still water as if the two just seamlessly bled together. The half marathoners had started at this point and J and I ran by each other with a cheer. I think that was one of my favorite moments the whole race. I looked for my pal but didn’t see him.
Nothing super notable happened until mile 11, when I realized my legs were feeling way heavier than they should’ve been. That early? By then the marathoners and the halvers had split off and we were entering the long stretch of Pinellas Trail, 13 miles of quiet. I knew then that my goal pace of 8:38 probably wasn’t happening – I couldn’t get myself below an 8:40, so I just went with it.
The water stop at mile 14 or so was one of my favorites. This kid was SO excited to do his job as waterboy that when I called for water he raced right up to me, handed me the cup, and went “YOU GET THAT WATER DOWN YOU GOT THIS.” Best hype man ever. Moments of smiling are fleeting deep into a marathon but this was one that’ll stick with me for awhile.
By the half marathon mark I knew I’d be in for a struggle. At the mile 16 turnaround, I was in deep shit. The 3:50 pacer caught up to me and this was probably the best thing that could’ve happened the whole race. This guy was a fucking master. He ran so smooth and evenly, wasn’t jabbering to the pack around him, and had a zen-like aura to him that I decided I just needed to hold on in his area.
I was hurting. My hip flexors cramped up, my right knee was buckling, and I felt like I was going to puke up all the gels I’d taken in. But this pacer truly saved my race.
The last 6 miles I really just ran with my heart. I don’t remember them much. The pacer got pretty well ahead of me but was still in my sights, so I figured a 3:51-3:52 was probably in the cards. Somehow I held onto my position. Somehow, at mile 24, I broke loose and closed the gap. I was rage-running at that point. I was so close and so ready to be done. I was fighting nausea, and the first onset of tears were beginning to crawl into my eyes.
I overtook the pacer at mile 25. At mile 25.5ish I saw J and couldn’t do anymore than wail. By then I was in finishing mode. I laced past a couple guys, told them great job, and one went “wow you’re going really fast.” Apparently I was hitting a 7:55 pace by then.
Fellow Kelley and I turned onto the finishing chute at the same time, I think she was slightly ahead of me. The race announcer yelled out my name and when I heard that I hiccupped into aggressive tears. When I crossed and stopped my watch, I heaved-hiccupped-bawled in disbelief. I was a sub-4 hour marathoner. Handily! I came back from the dead and finished with grit and power.
I collapsed into J’s arms, full-on heave-sobbing, and realizing that I couldn’t fucking walk properly. We made our way very slowly through the chute, took a few pictures, and eventually found my pal at the playground and reunited in the village. I got a 10 minute massage, which was wonderful, and realized then that an exploding gel had stained my bra and somehow dried on my armpit. Weird.
This is when I realized that driving was a fantastic idea. I would not have been able to walk back to the hotel.
We basically rotted in the room the rest of the day. I foam rolled intermittently to try and loosen up those terrible hip flexors. They’re not much better today. We ordered breakfast from the downstairs tap room – I went to town on a big bowl of yogurt and berries with granola – and in the evening got pizza from 4th Street Pizza. Delish.
Wow. What a day. I’ll share more as I remember it, but honestly, a marathon is a daze of pain caves, tunnel vision, and is such an intense emotional experience it’s hard to translate it all into coherent sentences.
All I know for sure is that I’m deeply humbled, deeply grateful, for my body, for the people who gave a shit about my performance, for the race directors and volunteers and my fellow runners.
A couple little adventures this week! Monday, a latte at Willa’s, which was an exceptional visit as the barista gave me some free pastries on my way out! They were closing in 30 minutes so I guess I was the chosen one that day. I picked up a chocolate crueler and a birthday cake crueler. So good.
I picked up my race packet on Wednesday and swung by Paradeco beforehand for my final fun treat before the carb load began on Thursday. I enjoyed their hazelnut truffle latte before heading over to pick up my and J’s race bibs. There was a surprising line but it moved quickly.
A few eats from the week: a carrot mug cake for National Carrot Cake Day, ramen and pasta out during the carb load (the pasta was spur of the moment since the hotel we stayed at kinda fibbed about having a kitchen and we couldn’t cook), and shrimp curry.
All I got for now. I’m about to struggle-walk to a coffee shop to have a latte and enjoy breakfast for National Bagel and Lox Day. Until next time, pals!
The Fuck We Cooking This Week?
…A rich and luscious stew.
…Bright and happy cupcakes!
…A spiced spring cocktail.
…Irresistibly cheesy stuffed shells.
A Few Things I’m Digging
Clothes hanger…I bought this tripod drying rack since I constantly ruin my shower curtain by hanging clothes from it. Honestly this is such a nifty little dude! It’s unobtrusive, has plenty of room for my shirts, and sturdy.
Cozy joggers…No particular brand, but comfy sets are keeping me sane right now as my body swells up like a fucken balloon (not really, I’m being dramatic) from carb loading. I’ve bought these fleece joggers in the past and are one of the pairs in my rotation.
This Week’s Menu
Meatless Monday…Italian Wedding Alphabet Soup
Taco Tuesday…Crispy Baked Butternut Squash Black Bean Tacos
Wednesday…Quinoa Avocado Caesar Salad Wraps
Thursday…Honey BBQ Salmon and Asparagus with Creamy Polenta
Friday Cozy Hour…Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate
Galentine’s Baking…Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
Valentine’s Sunday Brunch…Avocado Toast Dutch Baby
Valentine’s Day Menu
Starters
Caramelized Onion Brie Crostini
Main Courses
Sheet Pan Coffee Rubbed Salmon and Butter Potatoes
Drinks
Fresh Strawberry Mango Lemonade
Strawberries and Cream Martini
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bourbon Smash
Desserts
Chocolate Strawberry Fudge Cookies
Shops & Wish List
Fashion
Target…This lace-trim hoodie really caught my eye (purple)…LOVE this one-shoulder midi floral dress (Valentine’s Day???) and this strawberry embroidered tee…Really like the look of this asymmetric midi skirt (rose pink), so lovely for spring…
Week in Training
Monday, 2.2: 9.3 miles, 9:48 pace + 12 minute lift
Race week sharpener this morning! 2.3 mile warmup outside in 33 degree air (FUCKEN COLD), stripped down for a 3 x 1.5 mile treadmill interval workout averaging around 8:39 for the reps. Felt okay, though my shoelaces still feel too tight? Have to fix that. Ran a 2.2 mile cooldown outside and didn’t bother putting my second layer of pants back on. Kinda regretted that – I started getting really cold at the end and I think the water from my eyes was starting to freeze on my face.
Strength:
- 3 x 12 ea. calf raise 40#
- 4 x 10 deadlift 50#
- 3 x 20 reverse lunge BW
Tuesday, 2.3: 5.05 miles, 11:20 pace
I’m getting kinda tired of these sub-40 temps (yeah yeah, I know you northerners deal with it for weeks at a time, but I’m not used to this shit!) I like them for daily purpose but for running it’s becoming a bit tiresome. Okay miles, 35 degrees and at least not windy.
Wednesday, 2.4: 8 miles, 10:08 pace + 3.25 miles, 10:37 pace
6 x 400 at 10K pace and 4 x 200 strong. This felt much harder than it should’ve though I blame the taper for every run having a meh vibe to it. Ran 8:03, 8:00, 7:55, 7:53, 7:52, and 7:55, then 6:56, 6:58, 6:55, and 6:45.
Afternoon miles were pretty lovely!
Thursday, 2.5: 5.05 miles, 11:18 pace
Most of the run was really pleasant and cool, if not a bit clammy, then I got DUMPED on the final mile. I think my heart rate monitor jacked up again because it showed a pop up to 170 out of nowhere. So annoying!
Friday, 2.6: 25 minute elliptical
Saturday, 2.7: 4 miles, 11:20 pace
Shakeout run done! Felt heavy and bluh but I’m trying to remember that this is normal for pre-race and for carb load. It’s such a mental battle. Better all come to positive fruition tomorrow!
Sunday, 2.8: *ST PETE DISTANCE CLASSIC MARATHON!* 26.4 miles, 8:47 pace (3:49:50)
I’m a sub-4 hour marathoner.
So much I could say about this race. The highlights? The blazing sunrise around mile 4, passing J around mile 5, hype child at the mile 15? 16? water station, the zen-as-fuck 3:50 pacer who I kept with for almost 10 miles when I realized my initial plan wasn’t going to happen and it was all I could do to just hang on. That pacer saved me. I was falling apart from mile 11 and don’t know how in the world I kept my legs moving the rest of the way. The miles just kept ticking, and I ticked with them.
I was hoping for closer to 3:48 but I am not going to complain about this time, especially with the struggles I had and the fact that I managed to sweep past the 3:50 pacer at the last minute to land the sub-3:50 finish. 5th in my age group isn’t anything to sneeze at either.
I crossed the finish line and immediately started bawling, practically fell into J’s arms once he found me in the chute. A few folks passed me and told me I did amazing and they saw me along the course just belting the final mile. I found my friend shortly after, got a massage from one of the tents (best $12 I could’ve spent on anything), and wandered a bit to find a snack before trekking back to the hotel on legs that didn’t want to move.
Sub-4 hour marathoner. Wow.
Total running mileage: 34.6 pre-race, 62.1 post-race
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