This is the first race of the New Year, and my first official marathon. Sure I have ran long distances before, but the 26.2 has eluded me thus far. I guess I have grown comfortable with halves, 10Ks, and 5Ks, and it is time to step it up! I have been given solid advice from many of my running friends to just relax and run and to load up on Vitamin C the week before this race. The relax part is self explanatory and the Vitamin C is to help my immunity system since it will be depleted as my body expends fuel to keep running...Emergen-Cs it is!!!!
My goal for this race is to finish under 4 hours, and I feel confident that I will get that done. I am also very aware of the "wall" that will most likely hit in the late miles (about 19), and I just need to focus on the goal ahead to overcome that wall. I guess if marathons were easy everyone would run them. Actually I think if they were cheaper to register for a lot more people would run them. Anyway, here is the map that realistically does me no good since this isn't a sightseeing trip. If I get lost I am sure there will be someone in front of me...
My next post to this blog will be after the race along with a massive medal that will be handed to me at the finish!
26.2 [CHECK]
Bib Number: 755
Chip Time: 3:51:59
Pace: 8:52
Place:
Age Group - 22 of 76
Gender - 109 of 453
Overall - 134 of 806
The Course:
Hills, hills, and more hills. When you think you are done with a hill you see another one on the horizon, and this goes on for the entire race. It wasn't the size of the hills, or the drastic change in elevation, it was the amount of them; especially late in the race. The course ran though a wide variety of scenery to include the ghetto and extremely nice parks. (There was a group of men cheering racers on by yelling "welcome to the ghetto"). The roads had several pot holes, and at times there were patches of ice. Overall, have your shoe laces on tight for this run!
I ran the race with the 3hr and 50 minute official pace runner, and that was where I initially determined I would stay. It was a little awkward for me when the half marathon course split from the full marathon course since I have always ran halves and the thought that I had a LONG way to go set in again; a journey into the unknown was really happening. I remained with my pacer until about mile 19 when the pains and mild cramps started to settle in. I refused to focus on the discomfort and continued to press on, but the pacer was drifting farther from me. Miles 22 and on were arguably the hardest. The middle toes on my left foot hurt, my left quad started to cramp, and there was always another hill coming up. It was a mental game at this point, and I had to shut down the pain and focus on the goal...it was right there! When I passed the mile 26 marker, and turned to corner to the finish I knew it was done; I had made it!
I heard the announcer announcing my approach to the line, and there it was; the finish! That feeling alone will drive me to do it again, and again, and again! The human body is a machine that can conquer anything.
The Swag:
- The finishers medal is a 10.5" stained-glass guitar with a pick displaying the race date. This medal was the reason I even signed up, and it is pretty sweet!
- Included with the swag bag was a commemorative harmonica made by Hohner, and a race vest with the race logo.
This was a great race that I will definitely do again next year. Next up will be the Little Rock Marathon March 1, 2015.
