The last "article" under my name was actually an informal e-mail response to Emmett after I reported my time at the marathon...hmmm...I wonder how it got in the newsletter??!!!
So here is a more accurate account of my experience at the Rock 'n' Roll marathon in San Diego on June 6th. This was just my second marathon. My goal was to beat my time at last year's Long Beach marathon, which was 6:17:30. I have been training much harder so I knew I could at least get a PR. I knew I would be very happy with a time under 6 hours and ecstatic with a time under 5:30. My time was 5:33:17--so I'm very happy!
The start of the marathon was very exciting as my training buddy Margaret and I were surrounded by thousands who were just as anxious and ready to begin. I even ran into Bob [Beachler] before the start (I never thought I'd see anyone in the mass crowds of people!) and we met up with Marty, Rich and Colleen! It was great to see them and know other ARECers were about to embark on this challenging journey. The beginning is so packed and tight that you can only shuffle along for the first mile or two--so no chance of going out too fast! It was a good warm-up.
The first few miles seemed to go by sooo fast! I hoped I would feel the same down the road...One of the highlights was running on the closed 163 freeway! wow! You'll never get that chance again! We also had great weather--a bit humid but it cooled off when we got closer to the bay.The bands at each mile really gave me something to look forward to. As you would hear music in the far off distance, you knew the mile marker was coming up! I felt great up until Mile 15-16, where I really felt a slump. My feet were dragging along and fatigue began to overwhelm me. What helped me through was singing a song in my head that I often have playing in myhead during tough times on a run--it's like my mantra. My other mantra went something like this: "If I finish the race, I can go to Extraordinary Desserts (my favorite dessert restaurant in S.D.) and get some cake!“
So when Mile 18 came along I was hit with my second wind and felt great therest of the way. What's great about running with my friend Margaret (we just started training together for this marathon, 4 months prior) is that we have our slumps at different times.
So we were able to pick each other upand push each other along. I'm not sure I could ever run a marathon by myself--I have much admiration for those who do. The end of the marathon is the best when you get your medal and a towel soaked in ice water. It's the little things in life, right? I devoured the bagel they were giving out andat that moment my upset stomach (which I had almost the whole time) went away.
So now as I train for my next marathon, I'm trying to figure out what to intake during the race because my stomach was not feeling well and it's an awful feeling. I trained with Gu but didn't feel like having any of itthat day. I had my sports drink and ate some of my Cliff bar but that's about it. I felt great at the end.
Ending strong was one of my goals and I definitely felt strong at the end, even as I walked another mile or so to my car! I know I trained well this time around because I recovered very well and didn't have any injuries (not like last time when my right arch was killing me!). I even raced a 5K the following Sunday! The difference in my training was this: 1) more miles--I did many more 16 and 18 milers this time and more minutes during the week; 2) I did the run-walk method,which I didn't do last time. I run a mile and then walk one minute, which gives me a chance to drink my sports drink and recover a bit. I have covered more miles in less time than ever before running this way. I was against it before but the group I train with on Saturdays runs this way. I converted because I would run and they would stop to walk but later on would end up catching up and passing me. So I thought, heck, I might as well walk a while if they're going to end up passing me anyway! I think it has also helped me run injury-free, which is a blessing in this sport! and 3) After my long runs I always take an ice bath. I run cold water in the tub and sit in it as it fills up above my quads--takes some getting used to but it feels good after a long run. Then I put ice cubes in the mix and sit for about 10-15 minutes while I read a magazine! (makes the time go faster!) Doing this helps reduce muscle inflammation and soreness! I didn't do this during my LB training and I definitely feel a difference as I recover faster and am not as sore the next day!
So, all in all, Rock 'n' Roll was a great race for me! I got a PR and I felt great afterwards! Pretty good for someone who just started truly running 2 –1/2 years ago and never liked to run, except to get to that great sale or the next dessert place...my other favorite sports: shopping and eating! :)