Mini Marathon Report! Fun Race Today!

Mile 26.1...a picture that captures it all perfectly.  Happy, strong, and having fun!  So what I wanted! Thanks for the shot Nicole!

This is the car that was in front of us on our way to the marathon this morning.  I know some of you won't find this conversation funny but it sure did make me laugh and put me in a good mood for the start of the race.
Hubby:  70.3 and 140.6?  What?
Me:  Oh, yeah, that's hard core.  That's the Half Ironman and the Full Ironman.  See the Ironman symbol up there?  And 26.2 too.
Hubby:  Cool.
Me:  Yeah, a little self-absorbed....we can be like that sometimes when we accomplish these big goals we are so proud of.
Hubby:  Whatever!  If I did the Ironman, I'd put 140.6 on my d*&k!

Not sure why this was so funny me to me.  Maybe it was the fact that it was 5:30 in the morning.  Or that it came from him.  And definitely because it rings true...Granted, he wouldn't really be tattooing 140.6 on his wiener but you get the gist.  If I did a HIM or Ironman, I'd have those stickers all over my car and any shirts I could find! You bet! We work hard training for these things and I am in awe of those of you that do the HIM and Ironman...AMAZING!

Race report coming one of these days when I feel like it.  Here's the short version:

Both of us ran 3:24:25.  

Did I mention that this was his first marathon and he hadn't trained for it?  Yep, so proud of him.  Such a stud!  Gosh I love him.  Best running partner EVER!  We know what to say to each other, when to push and when to keep quiet, how to motivate, etc. Even when to laugh and crack a few jokes during the race.  We just know what the other person means by key words and phrases like :  cadence, arms, settle in, pull back, it isn't a race yet, draft, etc.  So thankful for him!

My goal: I just ran a marathon a month ago so my goals for this one were to have FUN, enjoy the process and try for a progressive/smart marathon! I knew that I didn't have the best training  over the past 4 weeks and that I didn't want to hurt myself from running another marathon so soon so I just wanted to see what happened.  Excited with how it turned out!
His goal: To finish and run with me.  He also had a sub 3:30 in mind if all went well.

Goals met!  We held back and kept our pace comfortable and conversational.  I tried out my gradual/trickle fuel strategy and LOVED it (I'll explain more later).  We had negative splits...second half was approximately 2 minutes faster than the first half.  This felt great!

Not really sure about official places yet.  I was 4th overall woman and 3rd in my AG.

More later but here are some pictures and a couple shout outs!

A girl could get used to waking up to the sunrise!

So PROUD of him!

On our way home!

Congrats to Raina on breaking 42 minutes in a 10k!  She wasn't specifically trained for this race but was doing it for fun and just to see what she could do BEFORE she started her training!  I predict she will be breaking 40 minutes soon!

Thank you to Nicole for coming out and cheering so many of us on.  She rode her bike along with some of the half marathon girls and she was there cheering me on at the end.  Her bright smile and positive energy was just what I needed to finish strong.  So thankful for her.  She also got one really great shot before her camera died.  As some of you know, Nicole has been injured and unable to run.  This has been hard on her and she was supposed to race this half marathon.  This was the race she was hoping to break 1:30 in and I know she would have done it if she was able to run.  Thanks Nicole!  You inspired and motivated so many of us!  Thank you for coming out and supporting us at a race that you so badly wanted to be running!

And a HUGE congrats to Stephanie at Soggy Runner Girl for not only meeting her goal of breaking 1:30 in her half marathon but running a 1:27!!  Way TO GO!!!  Go congratulate her!

Oh, and happy to meet Summer, a new running "friend".  I got out of my car and commented on her Lululemon speed shorts and chatted a bit.  Then she said, "Are you the girl that writes Runninghood?"  She has never commented but Summer, I hope you do now!  It was fun to be recognized...made me feel special.  And great job on your 3:50 marathon...I know you were shooting for 3:40 but you'll get it next time!

Amanda