Pasadena Marathon RR

jenotter · May 17, 2011

Short Version
Finish time: 4:35:05 (course PR)
16/41 AG
84/247 Women
Course maybe too long?? Garmin said 26.33.
 
Long Version
Pre-race food: oatmeal, coffee, Gatorade
Fashion: White tank, white long sleeve shirt, turquoise shorts, LIT hat, Saucony Pro Grid 4
Weather: For the third year in a row...RAIN! Cleared by about halfway for me – ended up with a sunburn.
 
Start – mile 13
The start was fine - fell into a 10:00-10:10 pace as planned. The first half is rolly, with a gradual incline from about mile 6-8. Gummy fruits at mile 6.5 and 13.5 and water at the aid stations. Enjoyed running with one of my oldest friends - got to catch up and enjoy the beginning of the race. The stretch around the Rose Bowl is a little hilly, but stayed on pace through mile 13.
 
Miles 13-20
Held steady on “Dejection Hill” (miles 14-16), named by Super Cousin (who has also done this race every year) after how much I struggled and bawled on it last year. This year I wasn’t going to let the hill get me. Thought I’d turn try some tunes, but my Ipod wouldn’t turn on – darn rain! Cruised through miles 16-20 - DH and BFF were at mile 18 which was a welcomed surprise! Pretzels at mile 19, a few more gummies at mile 20.5. Averaged 10:00-10:10 pace till mile 21 and was looking at about a 4:23-4:24 finish at that point.
 
20-finish
My parents and the Little Otters were at mile 20.5 – it fun to see them! But it was also the first of two tough hills and it did me in…got really nauseous around the 21 mile marker and it never went away. Started doing the math at mile 22…I could still get under 4:30 if I kept a 10:45-11:00 pace, but at mile 23, I had slowed so much I knew it was out of reach. Walking helped the nausea, but messed with my head - I started crying at one point and couldn’t stop. DH and BFF were just past mile 24 – they told me to just stay strong, I was almost done.
 
Finally got to mile 25 and tried to pick it up for that final mile. Couldn’t have been happier to make the final turn and see DH and BFF just before the finish line. Super Cousin (who finished ahead of me) was right there when I crossed.
 
Got my medal and broke down…I was disappointed and sick. After laying in the grass for a while, I felt a little better so we saw my friends finish, and went home.
 
Post-race thoughts
It's always a good day to be out with a huge crowd of people who enjoy running as much as I do. I was happy to get a better finish time than last year on this course but disappointed not to get under 4:30 and not beating Oprah's time. I know that tough days will make me stronger. I'm grateful to be able to be a part of the sport, and just enjoy every moment of the journey.

1Topodope · May 17, 2011

Congrats on your finish! You will conquer your time goal next year!

Yo Sake · May 18, 2011

Way to get it done, Jen, in spite of the tears. I am glad to hear your positive thoughts on the day though it didn't quite turn out the way you wished. What do you think caused the nausea? Did you take too much carlories? Marathoning is such a tricky sport..... you never run the distance at the race speed so you really can't 'practice' nutrition/hydration. 
 
There is always a next one. Rest well and enjoy the recovery period.

hobey · May 18, 2011

Oh Jen. The marathon is a cruel, cruel mistress. But you hung in there and CR'd. Tough days do make you stronger and Oprah better be looking behind her because Otts is coming fast!

pcsronbo · May 18, 2011

So did you go hard on those hills maybe? Got the HR up too high and just never recovered? Did you eat enough prior? sure doesn't seem like it. but that's me and ironman training and I eat a friggin pizza on the bike... (or want to)
 
Good job sticking it out to the end. Really good time regardless. Not what you wanted, but that's not always your call.
 
I think the run fitness is there for the sub 4:30. I think it's just a matter of race execution to perfect maybe?

mrscoby78 · May 18, 2011

Sorry about the tummy troubles. You kick ass AND you're way hotter than Oprah!

Thor · May 18, 2011

Congratulations on another finish, Jen!
 
You say that you hit the finish line feeling disappointed and sick, with the context being that you pushed had to make a certain time goal but, in the end, the clock said something other. While I understand the disappointment, I would like to challenge you to think about it somewhat differently. If you place the words success or fail on your ability to hit a certain time, and if you take that word and those feelings to heart, especially when you do not make that time goal, then this is for you: You are who you are and can never be anything other. This isn't to say that you could not run under 4:30. But it is to say that if you gave it your all, if you honestly can say that you tried yourself with the ultimate test, then to be disappointed in a result is, really, to disrespect yourself. This isn't to say that you should be happy with the result, for this could very well motivate you beyond. But don't ever lose sight of the fact that you gave it your all, you did your very best on the day with the decisions you made. Think of this if it were your child all disappointed over a certain performance when you know deep in your heart that she gave it her all, even trained the right way with the hand she had, and that was the result.
 
I'm not saying that this is how you are feeling, but I did catch some vibes to this in your report, so just in case you're still disappointed, know that you gave it your all. You put yourself out there, stared failure in the face, and gave it your very best to be what you were on that day. Congratulations. I know you'll get that 4:30. It's a given with your commitment and drive. And what's beautiful from my seat is that once you get it, you will have broken new ground in a world of yet more performance. So keep doing what you're doing. Because you are testing yourself unlike what most people even have the balls to do. And you're coming out the other side with great success. The time on the clock will follow.

jenotter · May 18, 2011

Ron - I usually don't eat a lot before long distance...I have a hard time eating anything at all, so I just do what I can and make sure to fuel well the day before. The hills may be something to think about...I was so determined to stay on pace and not let the early ones get me...I'll have to go back and look at my splits.
 
Yoshi - I don't think it was too many calories. The gummy fruits had 80 cals each time (they come in little packs for kids - haha), plus the pretzels...maybe 200-220 total by mile 21? I had a little gatorade here and there, but not much. 
 
I've struggled with marathon fuel for the last couple years. My last three road marathons left me really sick after, so I stopped using all gels, blocks, beans, etc. and sticking with "non-sport" stuff (which for this marathon was Welch's gummy fruits or jelly beans). I have honestly tried pretty much every brand of sport fuel and end up feeling miserable.
 
I'm feeling a lot better about it today...there is always the next race. There is never a bad day as long as we keep getting out there, right??

Tri-Tammy · May 18, 2011

I know it wasn't necessarily the outcome that you wanted and yet there is a lot of really good in this report. And a lot to consider and learn from.
 
I have the same question as Ron- did you maybe not take in enough calories prior to the race and then try to correct it during? The other consideration- your weather. You started out cool and raining and ended warm and sunny. That will totally effect your HR... as you know. 
 
I have the utmost respect for those of you who take on the marathon. Like Hobey says- it's a cruel, cruel mistress! 
 
Hang tough- you did awesome. <img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif" style="width:24px;height:24px;">

jenotter · May 18, 2011

Aww Thor...you really know how to hit it on the head. You are completely right, and that does make me feel better. I know I gave everything I had that day, and I always know going into every marathon in particular that race day can be very unpredictable. I actually do feel completely fine today. And I can't get hung up on a number...it was a great day no matter what. I got to spend time with an old friend, run in a beautiful city, test myself physically and emotionally, and do something I love.

SpartyGirl · May 18, 2011

I know it wasn't the time that you wanted...but you did GREAT Mama Otter!

Thor · May 18, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenotter <a href="/forum/thread/73892/pasadena-marathon-rr#post_1999846"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I got to spend time with an old friend, run in a beautiful city, test myself physically and emotionally, and do something I love.
 
</div>
</div>
 
And that, right there, is what it's all about. The numbers will come. But never lose sight of the fact that you put yourself out there to tempt failure, but in the face of that you came through. It was easy to walk. It was easy to cave in to those sick feelings. And a lot of people gave in to those. Not you. You did your best with the goods you have.

cak73 · May 19, 2011

Way to tackle those hills and stay committed through the end! Bummer to not have met your time goal, but it sounds like you had a great day out there nonetheless. Nice work!

donskiman · May 20, 2011

NIce race and way to hang in there. Tummy troubles can really knock a person off their game. It's ruined more than a couple races for me. WTG on beating your old time.

xflbk43 · May 20, 2011

Nice job! Way to stay tough through the nutrition problems. The main thing is, you had fun! Way to go!

jenotter · May 20, 2011

Thanks for all the feedback. You guys totally get it and I appreciate all your input.
 
Having a few more days away from it...it really was a great day all in all. And, they finally got the pictures up from the race and I'm smiling in pretty much every one of them...even the ones from the late miles and at the finish. Deep down inside, crazy as it may be, I do love this distance. By the clock, no, I'll never be great at it...and that's ok with me. I'm just happy to have the opportunity to get out there.

juliemboyle · May 23, 2011

Jen, I think you are amazing. I have done 13 half marathons and every time I finish one I think "I can't imagine doing that one more time". To complete a marathon is amazing. That you have done (how many?) since having the babies is even more amazing!!! So many Mom's stop working out when they first have kids, but you have done the opposite.........you are a ROCKSTAR!

niemsco · May 23, 2011

Sounds to me like you did very well. Running marathons like you do is an amazing feat in itself. There are a lot of people I know that won't even attempt one but like running. You are probably in way better shape than Oprah right now. Keep it going, congrats.

Pasadena Marathon RR

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