The Humboldt Redwoods marathon was my second marathon with much different results than my first. Nearly a year ago, I ran in the CIM-Sacramento marathon with only one year’s worth of running experience and very little training.
I also had a combination of the flu and a cold in the month leading up to the marathon, so I was not able to train very much at all. When race day arrived, it rained for the first four hours of the marathon with 25-30 mi/hr wind gusts. After 15 miles, however, I was on pace to finish at 4:35. But soon after mile 15, my IT band went out and I finished in 5:09. I was very sore for several days and it took 3-4 weeks for my IT band to heal.
I was not happy with my results and was determined to do much better in my second marathon. For this marathon I had a training regimen, running more miles per week including several long distance runs to get my legs in marathon shape.
The race took place on the famed Avenue of the Giants near the majestic Founder's Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Most of the race was run under the canopy of the old growth redwoods which provided much needed shade. The weather conditions were perfect with sunny skies and the temperature in the 60's. My goal was to finish in under 4:30 and to avoid re-injuring my IT band. I took it easy for most of the marathon and did not push myself. I made it to mile twenty in 3:07. I was feeling great and at that moment, I decided I had a chance to break four hours. So I picked up the pace and gave everything I had. It was the toughest 6.2 miles of my short marathon career. I crossed the finish line in 3:59:28.
With a little bit of training and determination, I made a huge difference in my second marathon… and my body greatly appreciated it as I experienced very little soreness in the days following the race.