Sorry, I have very few pictures, none from the race itself. So this could very possibly be my lamest race recap yet.
I got home from Washington late Friday night and was in bed by midnight. Wake up came early at 4:15. Along with some cold medicine, copious amounts of coffee were consumed.
I left the house at 5:30 and was parking at Camp Pendleton Marine base around 6:15am. I had to pick up my bib but that only took a second. The race started at 7:10 so an hour before I ate a Clif bar – my standard race breakfast.
When we started, it was kinda cold out but I knew it’d warm up quickly. too quickly.
I really tried to start out slower than usual and looking back, I should have paced myself slower even more. I started running about 7:50-8 min/miles.
Besides being a little worried about the heat, (it was suppose to be in the 70′s Saturday), I felt fine, a little tired maybe. I took my first McSick gel at mile 10 and crossed the halfway point at 1:45. perfect.
I took my next nastygel at mile 15. At 18 The Great Ache started, where every body part south of your hips hurts. But it really wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I was just tired.
The course was all paved roads or fire roads, but it was rolling hills the whole time which wore me out. I took my 3rd shot of vomitgel at 19.5 and the last one at 22.5. The last 5 miles were really hard and REALLY slow for me. I ran them at 9 min pace. I just completely ran out of energy.
My time was 3:35:33, 7th woman and 28th overall, 2nd in my age division. About 5 minutes slower than I was hoping to finish but it’s ok, I guess. It happens. Had I been able to run the last 5 miles at pace, I would have ended up around 3:30 where I wanted to.
(Back in the car after the race)
It’s interesting that the LA Marathon last month was really a mental battle for me, and this race wasn’t like that- it was all physical. I simply ran out of gas.
I was there mentally, but I didn’t bring the energy physically. I suppose when you combine the two, that’s when you get a PR or a dream race.
When I got home McJamie was waiting at the door with a champagne flute in hand. seriously. Have I said lately that I love this guy?!
He poured me a glass, took off my shoes for me and then went and got me french fries while I took a bath. And then cleaned and washed my car! He might not show up to the start of the race, but he sure knows how to throw a finish line party.
(Prosecco, by the way, is the Italian version of champagne. This bottle came from Trader Joe’s and is about $6. I think it’s pretty tasty myself)
Best of luck to everyone running Boston today! I’m supremely jealous of ya’ll, but I’ll be there April 2011 fosho. Hillary, today is called Marathon Monday because the Boston Marathon is held today on a Monday. I believe it’s the only race to do so.
Check back today because I have a giveaway coming up!







April 19, 2010 at 7:09 AM
Yayyy awesome job on your last (this year) marathon!! Even if you did come in 5 minutes slower than desired….you still did great. And I think you won the mental battle…which is huge. Obviously you know you can’t underestimate the mental part of running.
I’m stuck in Baltimore this year but I’ll be moving to Boston in a few months…..I can’t wait for next year’s marathon!!!
April 19, 2010 at 7:58 AM
Haha, thanks Sarah. I’m finally clued in now
Congrats to you on yet another fabulous run!
April 19, 2010 at 8:22 AM
Wow, you are so fast!!! My short little legs only get me running at a 10 minute mile if I’m lucky!
Sounds like the post marathon party was perfect.
April 19, 2010 at 8:32 AM
Congrats on the run. YOu are too hard on yourself. I would love to be able to run period! You are amazing. Plus you just returned from visiting family so you did an awesome job!
April 19, 2010 at 9:12 AM
congrats girl! you always look so flipping pretty when you go run! Jealous! : )
April 19, 2010 at 9:32 AM
Quite the selection of “beverages” you have by the coffee pot . . . so is your marathon secret adding a little Kahlua or Don Julio to your morning coffee?
Adding an extra “kick” to get you moving!
Great job on the run. Running while sick is never fun nor easy. Way to beat back the physical & mental demons!
April 19, 2010 at 9:47 AM
I love how you just wake up run a marathon then go home…like it’s nothing. Steelllarrr job still!!
April 19, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Best post marathon party I’ve ever heard of! Great job on your run!
April 19, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Not a lame recap at all! Awesome. Congrats!
I think you did awesome, especially since you are/were sick! You are an inspriation.
April 19, 2010 at 11:22 AM
You didn’t even look sweaty! I would have to cover the seats in my car with trash bags. Actually, I would be leaving in an ambulance so I guess I wouldn’t have to worry about it. Strong work sista!
April 19, 2010 at 11:47 AM
You realize that you ran a full marathon in the same amount time I finished my first half? craziness, I tell you, pure craziness. Seriously, why does you hair look so flippin’ fab?
April 19, 2010 at 12:28 PM
What do you do when you’re mentally crapping out? I had a horrible 19 miler this past weekend – just mentally felt fried (and physically, which didn’t help). Any strategy tips for beating the mental game?
I actually eat clif zbars during my long runs – taste way better than gels! Have you tried it?
April 19, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Congrats on another race well run! And you did it in your usual stylin’ way. That Jimbob is amazing. Nice to have a hubby who spoils you.
April 19, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Do you really look that good following a marathon?! That should be illegal!
I’ve been reading a while…so thought I’d come out of lurkdom and say hi…Hi! You’re hilarious and real and although I’m scientifically old enough to be your mother, you inspire me to get my running groove back. So thanks!
Great job on the marathon. Your “off day” pace would be an all-time thrill race for me!
April 19, 2010 at 12:54 PM
I like that you can look at the race and accept the outcome for what it was. Too many people over-analyze every facet when it was simply not meant to be. I love your training philosophy too…it’s the same casual approach I’ve taken myself.
Love the champagne after a race…may have to try that myself sometime.
April 19, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Um, how do you look so pretty after you run a bazillion miles? If I didn’t like you so much, I’d hate you. I look like a drowned rat after like mile 2…sweat is sexy, right?!? Proud of you! Way to be hard corps
you inspire me, friend!
April 19, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Great job! I am going to miss your race recaps and general craziness when you go back out to the water.
April 19, 2010 at 1:27 PM
What no race pictures? Just kidding! You know we love seeing your race pics, you always look fabulous!
Congrats on a great time!
April 19, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Happy Patriots’ Day! I always got it off in school (seems like Massachusetts is one of the only states that observes it) – my Dad and I often would go to the Sox game and then catch the end of the Boston Marathon.
Anyway, I’ve heard the Camp Pendleton race is hard so you still rocked. And it was definitely warm this weekend.
April 19, 2010 at 1:46 PM
The Dublin City Marathon is held every year on the last Monday in October.
This year will be its 31st year. It is a super friendly marathon and is pretty much a flat course. You should try a trip to Dublin some time. AND, music to my ears, it doesnt require a qualifying time!
April 19, 2010 at 3:20 PM
Great job Sarah! Another amazing run. Congrats!
April 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Wow that is impressive! And you looks so good in that post-race pic! How do you do it ?!?!
April 19, 2010 at 3:55 PM
I can only dream of running your pace!
And you still look good even when you are sick. Now, champagne … I want a glass too.
April 19, 2010 at 4:32 PM
awesome job! i ran a 3:35:53 today so you are still the fastest in the land
April 19, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Great job Sarah, your such an inspiration to keep my butt running.
April 19, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Love the backsplash in your kitchen!
April 20, 2010 at 1:42 AM
Sounds like you did great to me! Don’t be so hard on yourself
Random but I have serious arm envy looking at the pic of you in the car!! No fair.
x
April 20, 2010 at 5:24 AM
Awesome job on the race, considering how much racing you have done lately that rocked. I wasn’t that much faster than you at Boston yesterday, I am happy though as I only really got 8 weeks of training due to a little surgery in January. 3:34:30
April 20, 2010 at 3:25 PM
[...] only marathon held on a Monday. Thus, the special weekday event is given a global title! Thank you, Skinny Runner, for finally filling me in : [...]
April 21, 2010 at 7:41 AM
Nice job!!
I ran Boston and gave it pretty much everything I had…which ended up being a 3:53. A little disappointing, as I wanted a course PR which meant breaking 3:51, but I’ll take it. I don’t plan on running next year, but I’ll be out there cheering at the 30K mark. My running club (Somerville Road Runners) always has a tent set up right there, so I’ll be on the lookout for you.
NYC is in the fall, so I’ll be trying to qualify for Boston 2012.
Keep on running!