Grandma's Marathon

So this blog is for our big adventure, but thought I would get some race report practice in with:


Grandma's Marathon June 18, 2016, maybe my most disappointing race ever ...


Before the start I'm feeling good, got a little jog in, bladder empty, chatting with friends at the start.  It was warm out, and I allowed sub-3 hours might not happen, but I'd still do what I could.  First few miles I tried to run comfortably, but not too easy - I'd decided not to look at my mile splits, but still listen closely for others announcing them :) In the 6:50s, a little faster than 'smart', but I felt good, and still wanted 3 hours, so kept moving.  By mile 5 I'm just slightly under 35 minutes, the legs are feeling some fatigue - a little early for that, but it shouldn't be 'easy', right?  I tried not to think about it and stay 'relaxed'.  I recall reading somewhere that the first 10-15 miles of the marathon shouldn't feel like a race, and it is good to dissociate and save the mental and physical energy for later, so tried not to focus at the task at hand. 


Jarrow was visible during the first half, running mostly on the dirt shoulder.  Somewhere before 10 miles is the only time I was near him, when he took a nice detour to give the legendary Dan Conway a high five.  Mile 10 was slightly under 70 minutes.  Half way was ~1:32:30, a little slower than I expected and I felt like I was already feeling ready to be done.  I wasn't hurting, just didn't have energy in my legs.  Not long after this, my attitude just went sour and I let myself give in to it.  I was just going to plug along and get it over with - no desire to push hard. 


After 20 miles my calves were threatening to cramp and I let that slow me more.  At 21 miles I walked through the water stop, but that didn't give me any boost, nor did the gels at miles 7, 15, and 22.  The tiny uphill 1 mile out did cause some calf cramps so had to hike up that one, and have my excuse to not kick it in.  So the final 8 minutes included lots of friends cheering for me and I didn't even return an acknowledgment or smile - until I spotted Jess behind a camera, I felt he could appreciate the middle finger for some reason, so now my negativity was documented.  Right after that my calves seized a little more - Karma?  And a teammate passed me!  I was hoping there would be more Northwoods gals ahead of me, but it was a tough day for all.


After the finish line I get a medal and some water, decline a shirt, but ask for the drink ticket (didn't get used, still haven't been able to manage a post-marathon beer), pick up my drop bag and get some chocolate milk.  Then some strawberries and more water.  My stomach is not happy.  I've had this after a few other hot races and thought not eating right away made it worse, but my snack didn't seem to help.  I was able to walk around, chat with some friends, but my stomach still wasn't settling.  Someone suggested I go to the medical tent so I tried that.  There I was asked questions, some vitals checked and sports drink offered to sip on.  A cold towel went on my legs and a few minutes later my right calf went into the worst cramp I ever experienced. I was swearing, near tears, and didn't know what to do!  The people helping me didn't seem to know either...a PT made her way over and massaged it out.  That calf was the only true sore spot in the following days.  After a couple minutes I tried walking around and was 'released' - not sure that visit was necessary.  For future reference, I think I just need to slowly get in fluids and calories, get out of the heat, and just be patient.


I found my dad, despite him not having a cell phone and me nowhere to be seen for half an hour after the finish!  The mile walk back to his truck, whining about my crappy run, helped me loosen up.


I know I ran a decent time (3:18:13) in tough conditions (70s-80s and muggy) that us Northlanders were not prepared for, and there were no serious disasters for me, but I just can't be happy with it. There are so many excuses floating around in my head: heat, humidity, started too fast? wrong shoes? nutrition? rest?  I didn't feel hot, but still got water at probably 6 or 7 of the stations, I think 3 or 4 hatfuls of ice.  The shoes didn't cause any pain, and cramps were minimal until the end.  I managed to eat pretty clean and not do too much the prior week...I'm convinced the largest factor is my brain!  For some reason, I can make shorter races or even longer races on the trail hurt - road marathons though...I get so worked up and excited to race hard, then once I get a little fatigued, I mentally check out and just finish - time and toughness goals fly out the window.  Central Governor Slave.  My only good marathons (and some other random races), I didn't have high expectations, feeling like I wasn't ready and just going for a good workout, then I manage to feel strong and have fun the whole way.  Maybe I just shouldn't take racing seriously, or maybe I just have a lot more to learn.  For the upcoming year at least, I'm trying the 'less serious' route.