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

Marathon Fun Tomorrow!

It was only four weeks ago when I found myself swearing off marathons forever.  I had just finished the Newport Marathon after hitting the proverbial "wall" and the first words out of my lips were "I don't ever want to run a marathon again as long as I live!"  And now here I am on a Sunday night setting out my race outfit and excited as ever to run another marathon tomorrow!

This race tomorrow is the Sauvie Island Marathon.  It is a smaller race and most people sign up to run the half marathon course. In fact, I am hoping to meet a few of you tomorrow! This race will be a fun race.  I use "fun" and "race" lightly because I'm certain I won't be thinking it is too terribly fun as I near the end and I don't have any plans of "racing" this like I would a peak race that I have specifically trained for.  However, I DO plan on enjoying this experience, putting no pressure on myself, and making my overall goals being to:
*  Try for a progressive race where I start slow and finish strong.  I've only run three marathons but I've never experienced one where I feel strong at the end. I will try to start at an 8:15 pace instead of the 7:20ish pace I took off at in my last marathon (stupid stupid).  We will try to run slower and relaxed until mile 6 and then pick it up only if we feel like it.
* Enjoy the process!  Have fun!

A few things about tomorrow:

1. This will be my husband's first marathon!  And he isn't officially trained.  He got inspired and dropped his half marathon and 5k plans and decided to hop in this marathon with me.  I believe that he has the potential to Boston Qualify IF he was trained.  Since he has never run over 18 miles in his life and his longest run in a year has only been 13 miles, I think this will be an interesting experience for him and it is probably best for him to just run with me and not try for the 3:10.
2. This will be my first time running in a race with music!  I have my ipod loaded and ready to use if I need it.  This is a small race so I'm sure I'll enjoy some tunes when we are running through strawberry fields with only a few people in sight.  
3. I'm going to try some gradual fueling where I hold the gel packet in my hand and take a little at a time.  I'm either going to take it 1/3 at a time or 1/2 at a time starting with mile 5 or 6 and taking a little every two miles. And then starting another between miles 12-15 and taking bits a time. This makes sense to me.  My husband will be using the gummy blocks (not sure of the specific name).  
4. We will both be racing with a hydration belt this time.  My husband took my Nathan's trail belt so I will be using my Nathan's racing series belt that has a place for four containers.  I will only use two of them because the belt is annoying with all four of them.  I am mostly taking the belt along so that I can wash my gel down when I feel like it and not only at the water stops.  
5. The water stops will have water, Nuun, and Hammer Gels.  I will surely try out this Nuun along with the water!  
6. Since my last marathon four weeks ago, I have taken plenty of time off of running, tried out cycling, done a swim workout, gotten a kidney infection and the flu, and the longest run I've gon has been 10 miles.  I am realistic about these things.  I am running this marathon for the right reasons. It will be like a long progressive run hopefully.  I am definitely being honest with you in saying that I am NOT trying for a second chance at that 3:15.  That will be for another day.  
7. This is my first time racing a marathon for fun!  I love the feeling!

Who says you can't enjoy a pint of good beer on the day before your race?  I've got water too!  And notice my bum kids sitting on the city sidewalks trying to grab up all the sunshine! 

Carbo Loading with some pasta at Rock Bottom Brewery!

I may have NO boobs but I sure do have some super hero mojo!  Fly with me...to infinity and beyond!  Or just to Sauvie Island!  

Good luck hat from Boston Marathon 2004

Our hydration belts

My sweet man listening to his marathon playlist!  Good luck Waylon!!  I love you!

Good luck to those racing tomorrow!  Raina, I just know that the 10k is going to be a race you are so strong in!  Good luck tomorrow.  Even though it isn't a peak race for you and it is BEFORE your official training, I just know you will be strong!  And go Jenn and Reese!  Reese (Jenn's daughter) is only 10 and she's already running a 22 something 5k and that is without training!  Watch out Minnesota!

Oh, and Jill, mile 13 is for you and I will especially be thinking of you at 13.1 since you ran 13.1 recently!  Huge hugs!  So glad you are inspired...this inspires us too!

Amanda

Baby trashes bar in Las Palmas

Amanda