Did I really run a marathon 5 months ago?

Philly Distance Run '09: Report

The title was what was running through my head as I was running this morning: Did I really run a marathon 5 months ago? How did I DO that? It was a beautiful day for a run. Perfect.

Arrived downtown at 7am. There were basically NO lines for the port-a-potties, it was amazing! I'm used to standing in line for most of the wait until the race starts. After that short wait, I didn't know what to do with myself so I walked up to see if I could see Ryan Hall - no luck, it was too early. I did a little warm up jog, stretched and went in my corral. Unfortunately I made the choice to wear my Boston jacket ( I never wear it) and it made people want to start a conversation with me (mostly older men). I'm not wearing that again. I was a little nervous but not too bad - I was putting pressure on myself that I wanted to run sub 2 hours and definitely didn't want to run slower than my 4 months pregnant race last year (1:58).

The first 3 miles I was running 8:10 pace. I knew that wasn't happening for the rest of the race. I gradually started slowing down. I tried to remind myself to take it all in, what a beautiful day, pretty city, etc, but I was concerned with my pace and time. That was stinky - at that point I wanted to be pregnant and not be worried about these things. I have so much more fun when I don't think about time.

My jacket was wrapped around my waist by the first mile mark, and I really wanted to find someone I knew to give it to so I spent the first several miles looking at the fans for someone that I might know! It was a nice distraction. Miles 4-5-6 I was thinking about how I've run the Kelly Drive so many times, it's cake! I can do this. I was slowing but feeling ok. I was thinking how I wished I trained harder for the race. GU was at mile 8, and I was looking forward to this - as I ate some, I realized it had been a long time since I last had GU and my stomach later didn't react all that well. At each mile, I was basically counting down how many miles till I was done and trying to refocus to enjoy it - while keeping my slowing pace going. I was thinking it'd be fun to see Nick at the finish for a little bit - but then I was just dragging along. I slowed to around a 9 min mile pace and was kind of bummed that I wouldn't be smashing my time from 2 years ago (1:55). The last few miles I tried to enjoy the great weather and do my best! I definitely wasn't in my top running form, and actually the back of my neck and top of my back were kind of sore/stiff. I have to work on that.

Nick eating my medal
I look oversweaty - SPENT!

My pace continued to slow and in the end, I averaged 8:41 minute miles. I don't know why I was expecting more since I have been training at this pace and slower, but my secret goal was under 1:50. In any case, it was a PR for me at 1:53:39, mostly because after I started training hard last spring (2008) I didn't do any half marathons. When I reached the finish, it felt like I had ran an ultramarathon. It was not a good feeling, and I was not too pleased with my time or condition! I felt like an out of shape old man that had just run a block or two and was out of breathe and overly sweaty.


I quickly found my family, we took a few pictures and headed out! I didn't get to see what PF Changs was offering up (did anyone?) but my mom made out with 2 loaves of bread and I have some bars and carnation drinks and ate my ritual perfect banana (bananas at races are always perfect, I love them). We headed out to eat and I had a mushroom egg white omelette and Nick sat in a high chair for the first time. I took a quick ice bath because my I bet my out of shape body is going to be sore tomorrow. The Runner's High that I usually get after a race - isn't as high as normal. Weird feeling. Maybe because my training has been half - a**ed?

As far as how the race was run - the shirts are BRIGHT ORANGE - not a big fan. The medals are the same as last year but with a bright orange band around them. I kind of look forward to the different medals every year so that was a bummer. This morning they had bagels, bananas water, & Cytomax (haven't tried this drink and probably won't) among other things I didn't see. I thought that was pretty cool. I was looking for band-aids so maybe I'd add a clearly marked medical tent? I couldn't find it. Along the course the bands were decent but I'm never quite impressed. Where are the bands for miles 5, 6, and 7? How about 9, 10? I feel like there were maybe 2 bands - one at mile 8 and one around 11? for the last 1/2 of the race.

What's next - Philly marathon. I'm hoping today will wake me up and I will get some running mojo back and train hard for November. Throw any motivation my way!! Is this normal post baby or is it me --> that I'm having trouble going back to being hardcore runner girl?
I'm going to plug in a semi hard training plan for the marathon and see if I can follow it. If anyone needs a long run partner, I think running partners and this great weather will be super helpful! Congrats to Denise for an awesome PR today!

Nick and my dad
you can tell how beautiful of a day it was

Nick was a trooper
He needs some running gear!

First time in a high chair. Cutie!

I came home to an email from Heather at Run Faster Mommy! to tell me that I won her 100th post contest! What a great treat! Heather is a mom of 2 really cute little guys and is training for the Baltimore Marathon and raising money for Team Fight. Check out her blog - you will be motivated for sure!