Monday, October 5, 2015

2015 Twin Cities Marathon Recap

Greetings and happy Monday!  I'm feeling sore and tired this morning but pleased with how my race went.  I did not make my goal of running a sub-4 marathon, but I am OK with it.  I gave it my all and left everything I had out there on the course.  I ended up running a 4:02:33 which is about a one minute PR so I can not complain.  After my RA diagnosis, I questioned whether I'd ever run again and never dreamed I would run another marathon.  So I am choosing to focus on that accomplishment rather than the time on the clock (although I am also proud of my time). 

Clothes and gear all lined up the night before!  I taped my name to my shirt but it only stayed on for the first 8 miles or so.

All ready to go on race morning!

John, Megan and I at the start!

Now for the race recap.  I lined up at the start with John and my running club buddy Megan.  Our goal was run around a 9 minute mile and hold that pace as long as we could.  Here are my splits:

Mile 1:  9:57
Mile 2:  9:02
Mile 3:  9:04
Mile 4:  8:50
Mile 5:  9:07
Mile 6:  8:55
Mile 7:  9:12
Mile 8:  8:45

** I saw Phil around this point which gave me some extra energy!**

Mile 9:  9:03
Mile 10:  8:42
Mile 11:  8:49
Mile 12:  8:57
Mile 13:  8:58

** Just after mile 13, I saw some of the awesome friends I've made through Phil.  It was so thoughtful of them to come out and cheer me on - and they even made a sign!  That's the first time anyone has ever made a sign for me so I was so touched!!**



Mile 14:  9:17
Mile 15:  8:54
Mile 16:  9:11
Mile 17:  9:09
Mile 18:  9:19
Mile 19:  8:55
Mile 20:  9:15

** at this point we entered a very hilly part of the course.  It's pretty cruel to have to tackle hills at this point of the course which makes Twin Cities a very challenging course.**

Mile 21:  9:16

** I pulled ahead of John around this time and Megan pulled ahead of me.  I tried so hard to keep her in sight but I just couldn't.**

Mile 22:  9:24

** I saw Phil at this point and was really hurting.  I wasn't even able to muster a smile.  :/ **

Mile 23:  9:46

** After that crappy split at mile 23, I dug deep and tried to pick up the pace.**

Mile 24:  9:08

** That faster pace lasted about a mile.  I knew at this point that sub-4 was not a possibility.  I fought the urge to walk and just kept putting one foot in front of the other.  At this point the blister that had developed on my pinky toe during the race popped so the pain from that was pretty intense.**

Mile 25:  9:43
Mile 26:  10:13
Last 0.2 (or 0.4 according to my watch):  9:03 pace

Finished!
I hobbled across the finish line and boy did it hurt.  But I was done and was proud of my performance.  The race weather was perfect, I was cheered on by the 300,000 (!!!) spectators that lined the course, and I was cheered on by a far by a whole lot of friends and family.  My phone was definitely blowing up with congratulatory text messages when I finished which was cool to see. 

Now I get to relax and enjoy some down time.  I've got a lot to look forward to between Julia Child Night and my trips to Miami and Boston.  I've worked so hard over the last 6 months between training for a triathlon and training for this marathon so I am looking forward to giving my body a much-deserved break. 

20 comments:

  1. It's always fun to see the different mile splits. I like the sign your friends made you too. ;) Great job! 4:02 is a fast marathon and no doubt painful. At this point I find myself wondering if I ever want to run another marathon again. It's just so much time and work for a lot of pain on race day.

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  2. Great job Lisa! So sorry I didn't text you yesterday but I ended up going to my parents house for the weekend and they don't have cell service... However, I was excited to see your time when I finally did see it! That is really great.

    Looking at the pace of your first mile compared to the others, it must have been pretty crowded at the beginning... I always have a hard time finding my stride when I have to do the people dodge dance at the start!

    My last marathon was Boston and I came of it so sore and tired, more so than any longer ultra, that is for sure! It's hard on your body and it's a lot of time to invest in training, but you really did an impressive job!

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  3. Way to go!!!!! I decided during the first mile of the 10 mile that I really am a triathlete. It felt so strange to just start running without a swim or bike prior.

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  4. Amazing, Lisa! You really took control of your disease and manage it in a way that allows you to live the life you want, overcoming limitations. I am impressed and inspired. Excellent job and congratulations on the PR!

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  5. Wow you ran an awesome race! You should be so proud of yourself! Congratulations, my dear.

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  6. So proud of you! I am glad you were able to feel the love from the far away supporters and that you had such a great group of fans + local supporters. LOVE the sign they made for you- so clever and sweet :) Congratulations again!!!

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  7. Now I understand why I was praying so much once I got the message about mile 24. I know how much I struggle towards the end of a long run, I started praying you wouldn't hit a wall. Then I was just praying about whatever popped into my head that you might face. You are so amazing!!! I know that this was a huge accomplishment!!!

    Love the sign, that is awesome!!!

    Enjoy this week!!! Big hugs!!!

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  8. You did SO GOOD! It's really hard to get very consistent pacing like that and there's almost no relief built in to allow the lactic acid to flush out of the quads. That's the ultimate source of the dead legs in the hilly parts.

    I'm still super stoked for Megan that she broke 4 in her first marathon. When the newbies do the work and see the payoff they end up getting hooked.

    and it was pretty tough to let you guys go in mile 21. Not as tough as standing up from a seated position is today, but ya, tough.

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  9. Wow! I am SO impressed! What a kick that must have been to see your sign -- and to know that you have new friends on your side. Then to hear the cheering crowd? What a thrill!

    I am incredibly proud of you, Lisa. Not just for doing this today and making it but for the work that went into it -- particularly considering where you were a year or two ago with the RA. That took courage, guts, fortitude, practice and a drive that is remarkable. Bravo.

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  10. Congratulations! And you PR'd :D I raced an 8k on Sunday and I was thinking about your marathon and you dedicating each mile to someone, and it actually really helped me. Very well done and I hope your recovery is going well too.

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  11. Wow Lisa! Those are some awesome splits! I am amazed by your consistency! All the way through! I am so incredibly proud of you!

    You crushed our little sister's time on her marathon! 4:15 was my last race!

    Now you get to ride out that post-race energy this week!! What's next?!?! ;)

    Looking forward to seeing you in Miami, and hopefully getting a run together during that weekend! :)

    You are a rockstar! That's so cool you got a sign!!

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  12. Wow, you did AMAZING. I can't even imagine running hills that late in the race AND with a blister, those KILL when running- I can only imagine doing miles and miles!
    I've said it before and I'll say it again, you seriously are amazing. I'm so proud of you for not just running again, but running a marathon. I hope you enjoy a well deserved break now!

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  13. Amazing job!! I'm sure that having those crazy blisters and having one pop right at the end of your race was NOT helpful. I think your time is absolutely amazing! So proud of you, especially considering two years at this time you were in the midst of your RA injury and not sure if you'd ever run again and not only did you run a marathon this weekend but you PR'ed it!!! Whooo!

    Also that sign is AWESOME. Lol! I love it.

    It's kind of nice you have such a busy October ahead of you now as it will really force you to relax on the workouts and just enjoy all the traveling and fun you have coming up and let your body recover from the triathlon and marathon training. You definitely deserve a break!

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  14. Great job Lisa, you did amazing!! Hills that late in the course must be tough but that's awesome you pushed through. Now time to enjoy October!

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  15. Your consistency was amazing, especially at the end on those hilly areas! We are so excited and proud of you. That was really cool of Phil's friends to make that sign for you - had to give you a spurt of energy!
    300,000 + fans is a ton of people to have cheering on the sideline, plus all of us cheering from a distance and tracking your race!
    Super happy for you and now you do deserve a break!

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  16. Congratulations on running such a strong race, Lisa! 4:02 is an amazing time. Proud of you!

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  17. A belated congratulations on your marathon! Even though it wasn't the time you wanted, you ran a great race and should be so proud!

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  18. You're amazing for running a) a full marathon and b) with an average >10min/mile. Say what you want, but I think it's impressive!

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  19. Congratulations on the PR girl!! That's fantastic!! You had a great race!!

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