Race Review- Columbus Marathon

Race Day:

Woke up around 5:20am.  I ate a hard boiled egg and a bowl of cereal with my normal cup of coffee.  I was dressed and on my way by 6:15am.  Getting to the start line was an easy 1 mile walk which also helped me warm up a bit.  

Warm-up (10 min):

• Knees to chest
• Side shuffle
• High knees
• Butt kicks
• Warrior lunges (hold for stretch)
• Side lunges (hold for stretch)
• Strides
• Kick throughs

After my warm-up I took off my sweatshirt and warm-up pants and left them at the gear check.  I headed to the bath room and then my corral around 7:15am.  This gave me another 8 minutes to warm up my hips which cause me the most trouble during long runs.  One last bite of a granola bar and a sip of water. I entered my corral.

The Race:

National Anthem and we were off.  

Although tempting, I stayed away from the crowds starting off under a 7:30 mile and stuck to a pace I was comfortable with.

I don't really remember much of the first 3 miles.  I didn't look at my watch much and just ran on feeling.  I watched the crowds and the runners around me.  I was averaging just under an 8:10 pace.

Around mile 4 I ran into two other runners that seemed to be just around my pace.  I decided I would take this chance to make some friends.  We chatted and encouraged each other for the next 13 miles.  I had no idea what kind of effect this conversation would have on my race.  We were hitting somewhere between 8:05 and 8:10 in pace which was great.  I quickly learned that one of the runner's goals was to qualify for Boston.  My focus quickly changed from myself to her.  Her plan was to make it to mile 16 at our current pace and pick it up to finish under 3:35.  I wanted to help her get to that point knowing I would eventually have to back off.  At mile 16 we said our Good-byes--she was off.

After exiting the excitement of the Ohio State Stadium, the course seemed boring at many times. We were running through residential areas with many quiet streets.  I backed off  and finished my next two miles just under 8:45 pace.  That leaves me at mile 18. 

Things began to go downhill from here. Something didn't settle right in my stomach, and I had to stop briefly to throw it up (sorry it's gross, I know.)  I lost a great deal of liquid, and my body was starting to cramp.  I made it to the next liquid station and had to walk a little.  I did my best to put it out of my head and kept running.  Mile 19 through 23 were an average of 9:30 mile pace.  This is quite slow for me, but my muscles were struggling.  

Mile 24 through 26 were a bit of a blur.  I was in a lot of pain and my muscles were cramping with every step.  I tried once to stop and stretch but that only made it worse.  I just kept telling myself..."If you walk you will only drag this pain on longer...keep running".  I looked around and I could feel the pain from all of my fellow runners.  I stayed positive and did my best to push what I had left through the finish line.

My Official Time

My Garmin Information---seemed like a common theme that the miles were slightly off.

Was it the time I had hoped for...not quite.  Was I happy with my time...yes.  I ended up finishing with about a 10 minute PR.  For my second marathon I will gladly take that, especially since my first marathon was only 5 months ago.  I have learned so much in training, and I know I will only get better from here.

What this marathon gave me:

After finishing and meeting up with my supportive Mom and boyfriend, I sought out a place to just sit for a moment.  To my surprise I ran into my running partner and couldn't help but reach for a hug. She reached her goal and ended up qualifying for Boston. 

Being able to complete 16 miles easily on pace for a Boston Qualifying time next to her made me realize something I had not thought much about previously...I have the ability to BQ.  This Ah-Ha moment is already embedded into my brain and has given me a great deal of confidence.  Although I am currently taking a little time off from distance running, I have already begun to reevaluate my training and what I plan on doing in the future. 

Thanks to my boyfriend I have these great pics, and he gladly lent me his arm that 1 mile walk back to our hotel. 

Columbus Marathon Review:

• Expo: Easy to get to, no lines or hassle picking up packet, good variety of vendors.
• Location: From what I could tell Columbus was a clean city. It was easy to get to and from the start/finish
• Porta Johns: Strangely set-up--waited quite a while before the race.
• Course: Pretty mild hills, great fans, ---some quiet miles through residential areas.  The best part about the entire weekend was seeing the Children's Hospital kids along the course. 
• Finish: It seemed like I had to walk a bit to receive any Gatorade and food. But a lot of medics and volunteers
•  Overall:  I would definitely recommend this race to another runner- especially one looking for a less challenging course that needs a good confidence booster. Plus your fee goes to a great cause, and it is clear the entire course who you are running for.