Sunday, September 16, 2012

Fox valley marathon, a new PR


Stats:
Time: 3:40:18 *A new PR by 25 minutes!!
11/79 AG Top 13 %
40/492 Women Top 8%
208/1060 Overall Top 19 %
Started out Sunday morning with the Blogger Meetup :) It was so lovely meeting new faces and sharing in the running spirit!

Below are some more pre race photos... Coach Britt and I, My Daad and I, Kim and I (she just ran a 50k Saturday!) And me posing with my bib Saturday.
Honestly, after 14 amazing weeks of training I was so excited to run this race- and a little sad it was going to be over. 2 weeks ago my ankle started bothering me on my last long run, so much that I had to take some unexpected rest days. I was training for a BQ (3:35 or better), but after the ankle went AWOL, I was very nervous going into this race.

My plan was to be conservative and abandon any specific time goals since I knew the ankle would be ok for at least half the race. After 13.1, I knew the ankle would be a ticking time bomb. I just hoped it would happen latter in the race. I self diagnosed my ankle as having peroneal tendonitis, or some form of irritation of that tendon because it would warm up on the runs during the past 2 weeks and only hurt while done.
The entire race felt easy. I could have been more aggressive with the pace, but was very concerned about the ankle. As you can see from the photos Kim and my Daad took, I was having a ball out on the course. I felt more than prepared to tackle the distance- and was excited to finally make it to the start line after a solid 14 weeks with Britt's training plan, and an additional 10 weeks before that with base building of 30-40 miles a week.

There were some hills, but nothing too bad. At times I felt like I was the only person on the course. There would be someone 20 yards ahead of me, and no one behind me for 30 yards. It was nice. It was such a stark contrast to the wall to wall people and 20 deep spectators of the giant marathons like Chicago or NYC. I enjoyed the peace and the beauty of running a long the river and seeing the wild flowers.



My splits were very consistent, and it felt entirely too easy!

With about 4 miles to go, the ankle started hurting. I dug deep to try to keep my pace and finish strong. Mile 25 I walked through a water station because I wanted some gatorade.

I was so happy to finish and celebrate the hard work I did to prepare for this race. While I didnt get my BQ for the 2013 race, I know these legs are more than capable of smashing this 3:40 and getting a sweet BQ next year.


If I didnt have the ankle issues, I have no doubt that today I would have broken 3:35.

Ive also had bad allergies for the past 2 weeks and stay up at night coughing until my abs are sore- I even was coughing a bit during the race today. Im sure this also took valuable energy from me. OH WELL. I have NO regrets for this race. I wish I was 100% for the startline, but it's out of my control. The ankle issue came out of nowhere on my last long run, and I also cant help that this was the perfect growing season ragweeds have ever experienced.



You're going to hate me
When I say these 26.2 miles were easy. The easiest 26.2 Ive ever run. It was simply amazing and entirely enjoyable.  No wall, no cramps, no pain (minus the ankle) NOTHING. My muscles are not even sore. (Usually my quads are sore for a few days post hard effort). Good quality, focused training certainly pays off and I have Britt to thank for that :) I nailed every workout until the past 2 weeks when I had to back off because of the ankle. I'll probably be a little stiff tomorrow, but Im not anticipating any muscle pain. CRAZINESS!

Whats next?

Im going to take off running for a few days or the rest of the week to let the tendon heal. Then I get to run 26.2 all over again in 3 weeks for the Chicago Marathon. Im excited to run Chicago with my L, for his first marathon. It will be hopefully a very fun experience. 

Post Chicago, Ive got my eye on some 5ks, and a possible half marathon at the end of October if the ankle issue is cleared up.I want to test these legs in some shorter races while I have the fitness and also before Chicago becomes a frozen tundra for the winter. I also plan to re-start the Bikram Hot yoga within the next few weeks.

Pre race portapotty pic :) And Post Race portapotty pic  haha
After I finished, I got a bunch of gatorade and then proceeded to the tent to get ice for my ankle. The lady at the tent immediately said "peroneal tendon" when I pointed to where it hurts. 
Housekeeping:
  • Honey Stinger 1 hour pre race
  • Gatorade Prime with a salt stix  20 minutes pre race
  • Ran with music the entire time
  • Gu at miles (approx) 5, 10, 15, 21
  • Salt Stix at 7, 12, 17, 22
  • Carried a water bottle with me until mile 24. It was nice not having to stop at water stations, and to be able to drink when I wanted.
  • Lululemon top and shorts, Mizuno Wave Elixir shoes, CEP Compression Socks
Fox Valley
 The course was beautiful. Plenty of aid stations. Shade near 100% of the time. Start temps in the low 50's. Volunteers were amazing. Very spectator friendly course. Moments of quiet on the trail where there were no spectators or other runners near me. Excellent organization. I highly recommend this race (13.1, 20 miler or Full) to anyone looking for a quality race. I LOVE THE MEDAL.

Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement through this training cycle. It made a huge difference :)

- xaar

36 comments:

  1. I'm glad it went well for you! You looked so at ease on the course.

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    1. I couldnt have asked for a better experience.. Minus the ankle :)

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  2. Congrats on your awesome PR and having such a great race!! I love how positive you are :) It's so inspiring! Also this race looks and sounds beautiful ... might have to keep it in mind for 2013.

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    1. Thank you! You should consider one of the events for next year. Its so chill and well organized. :)

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  3. Congrats, girl!! You kicked ass! I'm soo happy for you. :-)

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    1. Thank you :) Its amazing when all the hard work comes together at the perfect time.

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  4. That's a huge PR, congratulations!

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  5. AWESOME! You have some great pics of you on the course! Glad you enjoyed it and Congrats on the huge PR!! :)

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  6. I DO NOT hate you for how easy it was! I am so happy I was there, and got to witness you looking so fabulous. We could just tell, and it was inspiring. A huge congrats on an AMAZING PR! You rock!

    I liked (as a spectator) that the course was not too crowded, and I imagined it was nice as a runner too! So so happy for you!!!!

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    1. It was AWESOME seeing you out there :) I loved that the course was spectator friendly, and not over run with spectators or runners. Loved this day :)

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  7. whoohoo! this was one of the best days ever and i enjoyed every moment on that course watching you fly by like it was nothing! no doubt that 3:35, and then some, is in those legs as soon as that ankle gets it's act together. rest up so that you are healthy to tackle mary #3 for the year next month.

    i'm doing this race next year. don't know if it'll be the half or full, but hot damn that course is amazing!

    and a 5k lurking around the corner??? you brave soul!

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  8. So happy for you! NO WALL! have to admit to a little jealousy there because I slammed into mine. I am so happy to read this after your whole struggle with injury and I am glad your ankle behaved. I can't wait to see how you do on your next one.

    Nice job self diagnosing btw :)

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  9. Congratulations!! I LOVE that this was "easy" for you, and it was so nice meeting you! I loved this course too - I have a feeling I'll be back to it next year :)

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    1. Thank you :) Lovely meeting you yesterday. I have a feeling i'll also be back next year. Cant pass up a gem of a race like this one :)

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  10. That's wonderful, congrats on a successful race. It's great that it felt easy, too bad about the ankle but sounds like in some ways that also allowed you to really enjoy the race and have a great day and a great PR even if it wasn't exactly what you were shooting for!

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    1. Thank you :) When the pressure is lifted, I think races can be so enjoyable. Instead of being bummed I didnt get a BQ, Im freaking happy I was able to cut 25 minutes off.

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  11. Congrats, Charlyn! You have made great strides since your first NYC Marathon!!! :)

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    1. Thanks Becky! Ive cut almost 2 hours off of my time since NYC :)

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  12. YEAH, what an awesome job. You just prove that with proper and kick AS$ training even a marathon is "easy". Now when are you going to attempt a BQ next? You are SOO close! Congrats and I hope you are enjoying that shiny new PR with lots of good eats and beer (which I'm sure you are!)

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    1. Thanks :) Yes, im convinced the proper training made this race "easy" and 100% more enjoyable. This was the first time I wasnt bailing on long runs or other runs because of lame excuses.

      Well, I've got until next september to BQ for 2014 (i wanted to BQ for 2013 and it had to happen in this race) So im not sure which one will be next. I'm eyeing Eugene, and also the Knoxville Marathon since my mom lives there. And the good eats and beer are being enjoyed :)

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  13. You look so strong and fierce in your photos! What an amazing run - you should be SO proud of yourself, i sure am! Looks like hard work and dedication really do pay off! You are awesome :)

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    1. This is the only time that hard work and dedication has paid off. Usually it starts well, but ends early with an injury. It almost ended 2 weeks early with that ankle crap.

      :)

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  14. Congrats on the race! I'm so happy for you! It really does sound like you ran a perfect race. That is a bummer about your ankle giving you problems, I believe you that you could have gotten 3:35 or lower without the ankle problems.

    That is awesome that it felt so easy out there. I know if your ankle had been perfect you likely would have pushed a little harder and felt more pain, but you ran smart since your ankle was hurting. That must have been an amazing feeling the whole race.

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    1. Thank you! It really did feel amazing out there! Being prepared made a huge difference. I do believe this was the first time I had been consistent and not bailed on runs during marathon training. While it is a small bummer to have dealt with the ankle crap, I'm still immensely happy with the result.

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  15. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! And I am glad that you had such a good time and weren't even sore afterwards. That just goes to show what an incredible runner you are! We must celebrate!!!

    I am sorry about the cranky ankle, but you listened to your body and ran a very, very smart race. Cutting off almost 2 hours from your time since your NYC Marathon? UNBELIEVABLE!!!

    BE VERY PROUD!!!!!

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    1. Thank you!!! Your encouragement definitely helped me get to the finish. I think I had a smile on my face the entire time. :) I think my time in NYC (10 years ago) was 5:26, so not quite 2 hours yet, but hopefully next year :) now I'm going all Paul Ryan estimating my time. Haha

      We must celebrate! I'm so excited for Chicago now :)

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    2. You're way faster than Paul Ryan now (but don't tell him that)

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  16. Congrats on the p.r.! Those high weekly miles and great pacing surely helped make the marathon easier for you. Please send your positive marathon vibes my way! Way to go!

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    1. Thank you! The hard (albeit extremely enjoyable high mileage/GMP miles) workouts set me up for huge success! Id recommend honest to god training and not bailing on workouts to anyone who is serious about running a marathon. After 5 other marathons, this is the 2nd where I didnt bail on runs and make lame excuses. And it paid off.

      Im sending you speedy awesome running vibes for October 7. your training has been amazing! So excited to see what epic run you have come chicago marathon sunday :)

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  17. 3:40! Awesome! And especially awesome to already be planning for your next marathon only 3 weeks later.

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    1. hehe. I'm crazy... and all to think after Januarys crash n burn of the Miami marathon, that I had actually sworn off marathons for the rest of the year :)

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  18. I'm so sorry I'm just now getting around to commenting on your race! I just got super excited and the goosebumps started when I read that you had no regrets about the race. You really ran such a consistent marathon---you should be VERY proud of yourself, girl! I have no doubt that you're going to keep getting faster and faster through next year. Big things ahead!

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  19. I have added you to my stalking :) Great job on your marathon. :)My son and I are doing the Hot Cocoa race in Wheaton in a few weeks.

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