The marathon Gods can be fickle. You never know how race day will go and unfortunately, yesterday didn't go as planned.
Leading up to yesterday, my nutrition was spot on. In fact, I don't think I ever handled race week nutrition as well as I did this time around. But with that being said, my stomach was a little funky the few days before and I found myself going to the bathroom (#2) a ton on Friday and Saturday. I didn't think much of it and made sure I hydrated like crazy. I usually get a ton of sleep the week of the race but between working long hours and a sick kitty, I got very little sleep. Friday night was terrible and Saturday, I only got a few hours in bits and pieces.
But, I woke up Sunday morning feeling good and ready to go. I was excited on the ride down and confident as I toed the line. I was a little cold and couldn't feel my feet, but the weather turned out to be perfect. I placed myself a little behind the 3:30 pace group with the goal of running 8:10's and not getting caught up with them, but keeping them in site. This year the half marathoners were mixed in with the full marathoners and it was packed in the corrals. When we took off, you couldn't really go out too fast even if you tried. The streets were tight and there was very little room to get around people. And of course you have the people who put themselves in a corral where there clearly don't belong. So frustrating.
It took a few miles for me to be able to feel my feet but the miles were ticking away and I felt great. I kept telling myself to just get to the half way mark because that's where my friend Dave would be waiting to pace me the back half. I could forget about pace and just mindlessly run. My pace felt great and I was going a little faster than I needed but I was comfortable so I stuck with it.
Mile 1 - 8:07 (PERFECT!)
Mile 2 - 7:49
Mile 3 - 7:48
And those 7:50's are how it went until mile 7. At that point, I found my 8's again and hung around an 8-8:10 until the half way point. At mile 13 I was at 1:44:27 which was 2 minutes faster than where I needed to be and was putting me right around a 3:32 finish. When I met up with Dave a half mile later, I filled him in at where I was at with the time and told him that I hit a rough spot but was coming out of it. A few miles earlier I started having a hard time eating. I eat a shot blok every 2 miles but for some reason that wasn't working for me yesterday. I just didn't want to eat...which is not good that early on in a race. I had also felt a little fatigue around mile 11 but figured I just needed my second wind.
So off Dave and I went. I tucked in behind him and just let him lead the way. This was going fine but around mile 14 when I shoved a blok down my throat I realized we had a problem. I started to feel nauseous and really off. A found myself letting out some sighs and wanting to slow down but I tried to push along. I finally spoke up around mile 17 and told Dave I needed to back off for a second. We did but then Dave took control again and we picked back up. Before we headed into Manayunk, with is a gradual incline from mile 19-20, we had a little out and back over Falls Bridge. It was here that everything went to shit. As we came back across the bridge I could feel myself falling apart. At mile 18 I was dead on for a 3:32, but knew it wasn't going to happen.
We headed into Manayunk which is usually a big pick me me up with people lining the streets but this year it was pure misery. I was dying climbing the hill and wanted to walk so badly. I tried one more blok and couldn't even chew it. I gagged it down, it got caught in my through, and I was burping like I was going to puke. On top of that, I started cramping from my feet all the way to my shoulders. We pushed along, turned around and instead of my usual perkiness for the last 6 miles, I contemplated not even finishing. At the bottom of the hill in Manayunk, I told Dave I had to walk. *sigh*
The last 6 miles were rough. It was a run-a-little walk-a-little with me making strange noises from discomfort. For a while I still had a shot at a PR but it just got uglier as we chugged along. Around mile 23 the 3:40 group passed me and I tried to run with them but the effort was short lived. I had nothing left in the tank. Funny thing, it didn't even upset me when they passed me.
Mile 20 - 9:30
Mile 21- 10:04
Mile 25 - 12:13 (shoot me!)
Mile 26 - 10:16
There's no point in reliving the last 3 miles. Thankfully, I was able to run the last 3/4 of a mile where the streets were lined with spectators but I'm sure I looked like I was dying. When I crossed the finish line it was the worst I have ever felt after a race. The pain from the cramping made every step miserable and I couldn't even stand the sight of food. I tried to sip some gatorade but I didn't want anything. I made it to the meeting area, fell to the ground in an attempt to sit and shed some tears. It took me over an hour to eat a soft pretzel and I couldn't get comfortable from the cramping. My right foot cramped so badly that I couldn't even touch it.
I'm not sure what went wrong out there yesterday. I can't help but wonder if I gave up. I mentioned that to Dave last night and he assured me I didn't. He said he could see it happening once we crossed the bridge after mile 18 and that I just hit the wall. Maybe I went out too fast? Maybe it was dehydration from poo problems the days before? I just don't know. What I do know is that I have a sub 3:35 in me. I absolutely have that in me and I'm going for it again. Soon.
Official finish - 3:47:49
If a 3:47:49 is my finish on a horrible day, I guess I can't complain too much. I just can't shake this feeling that I gave up. I know they all can't be PR's but after yesterday I KNOW I have this in me and it's going to eat at me until I get to go after it again. This morning, I'm feeling ok. Sore, sore feet and my body hurts to touch from the cramping but what hurts most is my ego. Marathon # 6 done, now time to get ready for # 7 in 2 weeks.
26 comments:
YOU ARE AMAZING! if 3:49 is a bad day, girl, you are gonna FLY on a good (or even GREAT day)!!!! Sorry it was rough for you but you did it. You PUSHED THROUGH! Not every race can be a PR but every race is surely a learning and growing experience. YOU ROCK and I am SO PROUD OF YOU! Seeing your big smile coming down Kelly Drive was what I needed to get me through the last half of my race. YOU ROCK, SUNNY D! And there are always more races : )
i don't think you have it in you to give up, so i'm sure that's not what happened. running is a fickle thing for sure and somedays it just doesn't come together..then the next day all is right. i'm so glad you are already thinking about the next one and so glad you had dave there with you
Amazing race recap. Way to finish. You stuck with it and you did not give up!!! Beautiful medal too!!! It may not have been a good race for you but it will make your next one even better. Gotta have some not so good ones now and then so that you can really appreciate the great ones! :)
You certainly didn't give up! You finished in 3:47:49 and that is still a great time. You'll get you sub 3:35 for sure. Well done!
Wow that sounds rough. Really rough. We all know 3:47 is still an incredible time, but you had hopes for other things, I know. You gave it your all and there will be another race. Sometimes, like you said, we don't know what race day will bring despite our best efforts to prepare well. Hats off to you for getting another 26.2 under your belt!
Hi Denise,
Although I'm not a doctor (and don't play one on TV), it sounds like a case of dehydration. Your running/pace is spot on, however, the nutrition part of the plan seems to be your achilles heel. I know that you like salads, but roughage near race day spells disaster. I know that you'll get this worked out before the next race. Don't beat yourself up. First and foremost, you finished AND still managed to post a terrific time. :-)
So sorry it didn't go as planned! I've had those types of marathons (in Philly, actually!) and can relate. It's still a great time, for one. And for two, I can tell what a great motivator this will be for you next time, when you'll get your desired time!
Hell of a job pushing through a rough day. Doesn't sound to me like you gave up at all. Sounds like your body just wasn't there for you. I'm guessing this will fuel your next outing well.
I know how you feel... this brings back "fond" memories from October. So frustrating when you KNOW you did everything right and you KNOW you can do it, but sh*t just happens.
At least you have a couple of possible reasons, or maybe it was just a really off day. Either you, you are a trooper for hanging in there and you have a lot to be proud of.
Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you and looking forward to decompressing over coffee or some easy miles soon.
I think the main thing to remember here Denise, is that you kept going when everything in you wanted to stop. So the race wasn't yours this time...but in two weeks it could be a totally different story. You know you have it in you- you KNOW you can do it. I KNOW you can do it!
I think that is a great time...and you were struggling. Your goals are right there. It just wasn't the right day, that's all. But you didn't give up and that is what makes a marathoner!
you're right, if 3:47 is a BAD day, then watch out marathon world!!!! You definitely didn't give up, sounds like you were a lot stronger than most people would have been!!I usually run my first mile in a marathon at 8:30 or slower and then i hang around 8:10s for awhile and then start to pick it up. If your first mile was under 8 then i would say yeah, slow down but your first mile was 8:07, that's not bad, doesn't sound like you went out too fast. I used to love shot bloks but now i hate them. They are so sticky and leave a filmy feeling behind. i still use them occassionally but find myself spitting them out. i like honey stinger chews better now.
Hope you are feeling well today. Lucky #7 up next!!! :-)
I think we all have those doubts after a disappointing to us kind of race. From everything you said I don't think you gave up. You had a rough day and you finished 26.2 miles! Congrats on pushing through all the problems and finishing with a great time!
You did GREAT!!!! You finished and can still walk!
that stinks. You did awesome. I wish my bad day was 3:47! I had stomach issues around mile 11 till the half finish. Boo! You did great.
That is a speedy speedy time chick!! So sorry you had a rough day :) hugs, love your Brooks picture
Philly yesterday was my very first marathon... I know you feel as though you hit a wall and bonked but your time is still so admirable! I can only dream of running a 3:47 marathon some time in the next couple of years. :) Good luck with #7!
Sorry it didn't go as planned but 3:49 is still very decent indeed.
I don't think you did anything wrong with your pacing before 18, if you were crusing than you were right on pace. But I bet you got a bit dehydrated. And when that goes, there isn't much you can do during a race to make up for anything lost.
You did great! 3:47 on a bad is compendable!
Now, what's this about #7 in two weeks??? Are you running on the 5th with me!!!???
I think that is an amazing time! Way to push through it!!
That was me in the Maniac singlet that yelled to you when you were coming out of Manayunk. I realized afterwards that you may have been in trouble and I should've kept my trap shut. Sorry you had a bad one - on the bright side it was just a "bad day" and you're not injured. You will live to rock another marathon :)
Wow! Awesome job! Sorry you didn't get the time you had hoped for but that is pretty amazing....it will just make you that much more determined (and inspirational) for next time! I'm happy to have found your blog and hope to catch up soon.
Is it wrong that this post cracked me up?
Mile 25 - 12:13 (shoot me!)
Too funny.
I remember those 12-minute marathon miles myself, thank you :-)
Hey, trust me, I had you pegged for that 3:35 (even though I still woulda missed you at 3:32), but that's why we run the race. And if it was likely your stomach issues, there's really nothing more you can do. Still a kickass effort despite that silent adversity.
Stay strong and keep running (or biking/swimming) to your next goal.
(so late!)
sorry this wasn't your day, but you KNOW when it is your day you are going to have a fantastic race! marathons are just long and hard and sometimes things go wrong and it sucks. you still gutted it out to a great finish time. congrats girl :)
I'm just catching up...hope you're feeling good and recovering well!
Sorry that the race didn't go as you would have liked, especially those last miles. But, you came so far in such a short time after your injury so your finish was great!
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