Heather's 2008 MCM Race Report

This is crazy long and even I haven't read it yet, but for those of you who are interested. Here's Heather's race report as e-mailed to me by her. It should be a good account of a first marathon experience.

As requested by Janette (and perhaps the rest of you are interested too) the following is my race report for the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon:

(First some background on my training):
I began training for the MCM for what now seems like forever ago. The race always loomed in the distance for me, as the elusive event that would actually never happen. For the most part, minus the very few questions I asked Janette and some guidance from training programs, I made up my own training schedule, until the last four weeks when I followed Hal Higdon's marathon training plan. I'm a compulsive gym rat, so the taper was a little difficult for me, but I did enjoy sleeping in and being able to come home after work and do a quick run instead of pounding the pavement for at least an hour. I think my body definitely thanked me for it and I kept telling myself just listen to Hal, just listen to Hal. I also extremely enjoyed increasing my carb intake throughout the week. I always tell everyone that is why I run races - there's no better reason to eat tons of pasta and bread.

On Thursday of the week of the marathon, I went to the Health and Fitness Expo at the DC Armory. I was going to wait until Janette arrived on Saturday, but I was getting anxious and feared standing in long lines and expending energy. I received my race packet and beautiful army green mock tee and sampled just about everything they had to offer, with the exception of the beer, which I thought was just cruel and unusual punishment to have at the Expo. Thursday night I couldn't sleep at all with dreams of the race and the fact I had started to hydrate too much so I was up about every two hours.

On Saturday morning I did my leisurely two miles. I wore long sleeves and long tights, which I was glad of, because I realized I would definitely be okay in a tank top come Sunday morning (the weather called for 68 as opposed to Saturday's 50s). Then I headed to the airport to pick up Janette. We had lunch and headed back to the Expo to buy the official race jacket (which I proudly sported all day Monday) and some other racing items. That night, we made a pasta recipe compliments of Deena Kastor (I figured who could provide a better recipe than her?) and ate dinner with my friends. While everyone made posters, I got ready for the race, laying out my gear and showering so I was fresh and clean come the next morning.

I didn't think I'd be able to sleep Saturday night, but luckily, all of the running around on Saturday and the ten pounds of pasta and bread in my stomach knocked me out for the night and I woke up as perky as one can be at 5:15am. While Janette got ready, I went through my usual Sunday morning routine of eating a bagel with peanut butter and reading the Three Wise Guys and the wedding section from the Washington Post. Then it was off to the races!

Janette and I made the mistake of getting off at the wrong metro stop (one stop was to drop off bags, which we didn't have and the other was closer to the race start), but it was okay because it killed time and helped me warm up a little (and by a little, I mean little - it was freezing out there!). After giving up on the quest to find the infamous Brooks port-a-potties, which I later discovered were way up at the start, I waited in line at the regular bathrooms, then did a little warm-up, and preceded to wait in line again. (I was very nervous I'd have to go during the race and for all you runners I think you know what I mean by go).

After that I headed over to the start line and holy crap was I overwhelmed by runners - I mean how many people can be as crazy as all of us to run 26.2 miles at 8 in the morning? - obviously about 30,000 as that was the number signed up for MCM. I had planned to run with the 4 hour pace group, but could not find them anywhere so I ended up starting near the 4:15 pacers. After the gun went off and I finally made it to the start around ten minutes later, I was off, albeit very slowly. I had shed off my warm clothes prior to the start and was just sporting my gloves (compliments of Janette). I had contemplated trying to catch up to the 4 hour group because I'm not too good with knowing my pace, but remembered Janette and Sarah's advice that if your first miles are slow its okay, you'll make it up and not to go faster. The first 4ish miles were difficult, just because it was so crowded and it was uphill. The hills weren't bad, but it made it all the harder to navigate the crowds and I think I wasted some energy weaving in and out of people. There was definitely a fair share of bumping and excuse mes and sorrys.

At three miles I was 3 minutes behind on my pace (I was wearing a pace band, strategically marked with when to eat and drink). I was nervous and afraid everyone who was receiving text messages about me would think I was doing poorly. I stayed focused though and believe I made up time on the downhills. Though I kept Steve's (I think it was Steve) advice to have the same exertion going up as going down the hill, in the back of my mind.

The first 8 miles went by pretty fast, part of those miles I had run before so I was familiar with the course which helped a lot, espcially as I was blinded by the sun. I had taken my gloves off around mile 2, but should have kept them on, because my first gel took about ten minutes to open because my fingers were so cold.

Mile 8 to mile 12 was pretty enjoyable because there were these crazy guys (I think brothers) from Oklahoma who kept yelling at the crowds and just making a ruckus. They were funny, but I'm sure they're running around and screaming didn't help them PR, but they were definitely having fun. At mile 10-11 I finally found my pace group, contemplated joining them for a split second, and then kept on at my own pace.

I stayed in familiar territory through to mile 12 when I reached West Potomac Park and Hains Point. This is tauted as one of the worst parts of the course, because though its flat, its about a 3-4 mile stretch with very few spectators so its very lonely. Luckily about that time, I met up with Brett (I didn't know his name was Brett until after about a mile of running) and chatting with him definitely got me through that section of the race. Unfortunately/fortunately I lost him at a water station. I missed the company but think it was good because I knew I could then stay with my own pace and not waste energy talking. At this point I was about 5-6 minutes under my pace. (Unfortunately I'm bad at math, so I didn't know how to calculate my pace per mile). Right after I lost Brett I saw my friends so that was a nice little boast of excitement.

I was feeling good running around the National Mall (another area I frequented on my training runs) and it went by pretty quickly as well. This was about miles 16-20 and I was getting faster because I was about 8 minutes under pace (well by my calculations at least). I was getting nervous though because I'd heard of the dreaded "wall" that hits at mile 20 (I've never run farther than 20 miles) and wasn't sure what to expect. I saw my sister at what mile it was I can't remember, but she reloaded me with a gel and said "I was falling." I was like oh crap, I'm slowing down, until I realized she had actually said I was "hauling." She ran with me for a few seconds and I became a little more energized, but I was still waiting for 20 miles to come up and my body to say okay I've had about enough of this. Thankfully it didn't.

The other bad part of the race is the 14th Street Bridge, again, its pretty flat, but just loooong. I'd never run the last 6.2 miles of the race, so I was in unfamiliar territory. This part was pretty bad. It wasn't hot, but I was in the direct sun and people were pulling out of the race all around me. At this point, my shoes were rubbing on my ankle, so that was hurting every now and then, but I tried to block it out. While still on the endless bridge, I suddenly felt the need to burst into tears. It was the weirdest feeling every and I can only relate it to PMS. There was no reason for me to cry, I wasn't in pain, I wasn't overjoyed, I just wanted to cry. After getting past that hurdle I was into Crystal City. This part was a little rough too because you had to run down a street (how far I didn't know) and loop back around. So while I was headed to the turnaround, I could see all of the runners coming back. This was horrible because I just kept thinking how much farther, how much farther.

Finally I turned around and headed back. I saw Brett again on his way toward the turnaround and we gave each other a little shout out. I don't remember much about this part of the race, just that I was ready for it to be over. At what I think was around mile 23 I looked at my watch and was like holy moly, maybe I can BQ, but then I realized I had only 10-15 minutes to get it and knew that wasn't happening.

I saw my friends again around mile 26. They kindly said I looked good, but they have no idea how I actually felt. This is about the point it got bad. I knew I didn't have much farther to go and I thought I could increase my speed a little bit. However, there is a hill (which on normal days wouldn't be bad) right at the end of the course. Right as I was about to begin my climb I had the urge to puke, but I couldn't stop, and I think I would have tried to run while puking had the urge actually turned into a reality. I made it up the hill and around the bend towards home. Ironically Janette and I had had a conversation about whether we would stop to help someone if they fell during I race - I said no, especially not at the finish line. So of course, what happens? I guy passed out, taking out the guy next to him, right next to me, but I kept going and crossed the line!

I'm not good at giving blood and always come out a little woozy and I'd equate this to what I was feeling after the race. I was given a water bottle and wrapped in one of those tin foil things, but I wasn't sure whether I was hot or cold. I was just dazed. I was ushered from one photo station to the next and given my medal. Then, looking like a possessed zombie, I ambled to the family link-up tent to find Janette. The nice race directors put it what felt like miles away. All I wanted to do was stop and sit, but I knew Janette would never find me, so I kept going. As soon as I saw her, I burst into tears (reason unknown) and she made me lay down and held my feet up (I don't know what this was for either, but at that point I would have done anything I was so out of it).

I was really happy with my time - 3:49:14, 11 minutes under goal time of 4 hours! I didn't feel too bad either and was able to walk around to do that after race events. I enjoyed a wonderful cheeseburger for lunch and headed home, where I proceeded to limp about until I passed out at 10pm.

(Post-race):
I cannot thank Janette enough. Without her, I think my roommates would have killed me in my sleep because I would have had to put all my anxieties on them and they don't know anything about running. She was always there for support, well except when she ignored my calls. Thank you and I love you!

So what next? I feel like there is this huge void in my life right now. I did the elliptical this morning and all I wanted to do was go outside and run. There's no way I'll be able to do the elliptical all winter (I did it all winter last year). Another marathon? Perhaps. I love the training and having a goal to train for, but its also very time consuming. There were many a night where I had to take it easy or skip a happy hour because of my long runs. Theres also the fear of not performing as well. DC hosts the National Marathon in March, so I think I might sign up for the half marathon and try my hand at that, but I won't sign up right away in case I decide to give it my all and go with another marathon. If I do that though, I'll have to heavily invest in winter running gear.

As for there being a difference between 20 and 26.2? Well I'd say the different comes at 23 because you're so close yet so far away.

Quote: Battles

The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.

-- Jesse Owens

She Out-Did It

My little sister ran her first marathon yesterday. Her time goal was 4:00. 

She finished in 3:49:14.

I can't say much else. I can't describe how proud I am of her. She ran an incredible negative split. The first half was in 2:06:22 and the second half in about 1:43 (I'm not good at calculating seconds so give me a break and let me round.). I had such a great time watching her. It was worth all he questions and the insane state that she put me in for her taper. If she decides to keep it up there is definitely a BQ in her future. And I'm sure much more than that.

Thanks for a great time in DC, Heather. Congratulations!

Oh... and I'm sure my readers would like a race report so you should probably e-mail me one so I can post it. And... now do you think there is a difference between 20 and 26.2? Do those extra 6.2 really make a big difference? (Prior to the race Heather couldn't grasp that 20 and 26.2 were really that different.)

Little Sis

My little sister is running the Marine Corps Marathon in DC on Sunday. This will be her first marathon. I'll be there to watch and hopefully jump in with her for a few miles. She has been absolutely annoying hilarious these past couple weeks. I've almost killed her died laughing a million times. Here is a synopses of the effects of Heather's taper on my sanity.

I've received about 567,834 e-mails from Heather over the past two weeks. She's asked me kazillions of questions probably close to the national debt. Oh and half of those questions were the same, "what should I eat the night before?" Yes, she's been driving me insane. In fact, I may have even ignored a couple phone calls. Sorry, Heather.

As crazy as she was making me, it was worth it last night. She has so much excitement in her voice. I can tell she is really looking forward to this. She was even telling me about some of her race strategy for the hills and parts when it gets tough.

Heather plans to tackle the hills by singing to herself, "I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas... I like to ate ate ate apples and bananas... I like to ote ote ote opples and bononos...." I never said Heather was sane. 

She also plans to attack the difficult parts my singing to herself. Except for these sections she'll switch it up between "My humps" and "Baby Got Back." 

I told her she should start blogging. I mean people have to know this crazy stuff!

Hopefully I won't hear Heather singing "My Humps" or any other song she calls on when it's tough. She has a 4:00 goal and I know she can reach it. The thing with Heather is she will do anything to prove to someone she can do it. She has more mental focus than a lot of people I know.

Good luck, Heather!

Milers at SU

I was just excited to Syracuse University in the Runner's World news today. Here is the link to the article on the SU Athletics website. Good luck guys!

First Run Back, Losing It, and Not Too Late

First Run Back

Last night I did a short 20 minute run and I have to say I felt great! The blister on the back of my ankle was a little tender, but that was it.

Losing It

After Hartford I had a blood blister the top of my toe next to my pinky toe on the left food. I popped the blister using a sterile needle on Monday and I thought I had saved my toe nail from falling off. On Tuesday, I noticed the skin from the blister peeling a little so I started picking at it (I always pick at stuff like this). Next think you know all the blister is peeled off and that's when I noticed that my toe nail was dead. It was all floppy and pulling away from my toe so I just clipped it right off. It definitely looks like it hurt, but it didn't at all because the nail was already dead. Gross, I know. But I lost one when I did Boston (or did I lose two?) too so I'm not grossed out.

Not Too Late

I was reading some articles about the women who came in second and third at Hartford, Sheri Piers and Shannon McHale, and I found this article about McHale really interesting. She didn't even start running until she was 25 years old and look how fast she is! Also of interesting note is that Sheri Piers stayed in the same Hotel that myself and my running crew did. I saw her before we left to go to the start. I didn't know who she was until I saw her coming back through as the second place woman.

In Need of Improvement

I've been thinking about Hartford and all the ways I can improve my performance. The list below is what I think I need to work on to do so and as a double benefit some even improve my lifestyle as well.

• Hill Strength. I definitely need to improve my hill strength for Boston. I'm not weak on hills (for proof please see the Cape Ann race report), but I will need to be extra strong on them given the challenge of the Boston course on the Newton Hills. My coach and I will be working on this during my training plan.
• Endurance at Race Pace. I'd like to see my endurance at race pace improve because I really felt like I was loosing it in the later miles of Hartford. With improved endurance at race pace I really think I will have more confidence in the last 10K of the marathon. My coach and I will also be working on this during my training plan.
• Decrease Body Fat. I don't think I'm fat. I don't think I'm overweight. I do think that I'm carrying extra body fat though. I will not post any of those numbers here because well, you don't ask women those questions so I won't say those answers. With less body fat, I will be stronger and may be lighter on my feet and thus might be able to move faster. The main thing here is that I won't have to spend so much extra energy carrying around unnecessary extra weight. I believe I can decrease my body fat by improving my nutrition and adding strength training to my routine.
• More Efficient Water Stops. I had a hydration plan and I did stick to it for Hartford, but I would like to see myself move better through the water stops. I'm not sure how I should try to improve this exactly, but it is something I'd like to do better.
• Mental Focus. I really think I lost my mental focus in the last miles, which I suppose is bound to happen in a marathon, but as a yoga teacher and practitioner I was disappointed that I was able to lose that mental focus. I would like to better mentally prepare for my next race. I think I can do this by adding more meditation into the last phase of training.
• Strength Training. I know I'm supposed to strength train and I do. However, I only do legs and only when my coach says to. I don't do my upper body stuff and I rarely do my core. I am really lazy in this sense. I would like to see myself improve here by doing core work 4 times per week and upper body 2 times per week.

I'm sure there are other aspects of my running I would like to improve, but this is my list for now.