Here’s the Clif Notes version: A gorgeous course but super windy. The end.
After waking up at 5:15am I got out of bed at 6, had my 3 cups of coffee and a Clif bar, and then walked over the .3 miles to the starting area at 7:30.
The start line was right next to the host hotel where all 200 runners could hang out inside which meant real bathrooms and warmth!
The race started at 8am so 5 minutes before we all walked outside – it was very windy (theme of the day) and cold. Check out the white caps:
The race started right on time and I took off a little too fast, partly because it was so cold and partly because it was a fast field and you get caught up in keeping up with everyone else. Hate when I do that.
The course was very New England, very scenic, very interesting. We ran along the water, past huge mansions, by a boat harbor, it was really rad.
Back home our beaches look nothing like this. Partly because there’s no fake tatas or Botox’ed string bikinis…
The hard thing about the race was the wind; it was so dang windy the whole time. I don’t know how it’s possible to get hit with wind in all 4 directions but I swear we did. There were 2 specific times where a huge gust blew and I took a step backwards.
I passed the 8 mile mark in 1:01 and took 4 GU chomps (90 cals) at mile 8.5.
I did 10 miles in 1:16 and reached the halfway point at 1:40 and took a gel at mile 13.5. The course is a double loop, but the first loop is 16 miles and the second is a shorter 10 mile loop of the same thing.
I personally find double loop courses really boring, and it was tough mentally seeing signs like this when I still had 11 more windy miles to go:
17 miles in 2:11 and took another gel at mile 18.5. This is the point where I began to mentally feel better and pick it up. I think I always do better in the last hour of the race than the middle.
20 miles in 2:33 and even though the wind was relentless, I started passing a few people and was feeling stronger but so ready to be done.
I took my final 4 GU chomps at mile 22; I prefer gels in races but the chomps weren’t too bad.
I pushed hard (forgetting all about that “take it easy for Boston” stuff) and finished in 3:21:08 according to my garmin. There wasn’t chip timing, but I think the official time was around 3:21:10, but results haven’t come out yet.
Jaymo was at the finish to see me and take a few pictures.
Honestly, this was probably a dumb way to race because I was exhausted by the end. The wind was just brutal and it really took a toll on me. But I’m going to take it really easy today and tomorrow, and I’m icing my thutt right now.
For those of you who will ask, my top and shorts are from 26.2 Apparel, the sparkly brown headband is a BIC Band, and the compression socks are from a Lululemon outlet in Washington.
#16 in the books and another race in a new state, I’m happy with that.
***A HUGE thanks to The Squires Group and 26.2 Apparel for sponsoring me in this race. Now I can go spend all my money on candy instead of the entry fee.
***Remember, the giveaway for an entire 26.2 outfit of your choice is still going on, and your chances are pretty dang good!
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Way to go SR!!
It looks like a beautiful course! Too bad it was so windy.
Congrats on finishing through those winds!! I headed out for my run, and walked right back up the driveway because of the strong winds! Props to you wonder-woman!
Way to go SR!!
Great job and awesome finish!
I did a windy half this morning and just kept thinking, “man, I’m glad I’m not doing the full.” Wind is tough stuff!
Stellar run SR! I think we can all agree that with the wind all up in your face, that was technically like a 3:10 run
freakin sweet.
I’m also very bad at restraint, so I can’t fault you at all for running so hard just TWO DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER MARATHON AHHHHH! But as the female dean Karnazes, I have faith you will stomp Boston as well.
Have a lovely sunday! A massage perhaps?
You are so fabulous, I want you to be my friend in real life and teach me all of your amazing talents. Have fun relaxing and taking it easy, I’m praying that all of your muscles recover really quickly.
And to all you other SR readers: you should totally NOT enter that contest so I can have a better chance to win. Dang, I wish I was magic and this would actually work.
I live in CT and my HS best friend got married in Narragansett in that bridge thing you are posing in front of…. good luck Monday! My other BF is running boston too!!!
wow, SR!! You are amazing!! Relax, rest up, and enjoy Boston!
Ok, got turned on to your website about two weeks ago just perusing the web for fun running and cooking sites and blogs (both things which I love). I just had my first baby six months ago and have really gotten into running, it’s free and I can haul the kid and dog with me. I’m training for my first half in May. Your website is fabulous and ridiculously entertaining. You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and I’ve been super motivated following your posts. Congrats on a great time in a tough race today! Check out my blog if you get a chance : ) I’ll be following in Boston!
Awesome race, I knew you wouldn’t “take it easy” because you’re just too good! Good luck at Boston!
You are insane but awesome for doing a marathon two days before Boston! I was down at the expo today (not running, just envying), and everything is getting all set up for your arrival! Oh, and all the other runners, I guess. Best of luck!
I hate running in the wind…I felt your pain!! Nice job though, even with the wind you still got an awesome time! (and I got my shorts, thanks!)
what a beautiful course!!!! boo about the wind tho. good luck recouping for boston.
great run! can’t wait to see your Boston pics and hear the report.
Holy crap woman, you are an animal. I can’t even imagine myself running those paces. Awesome speed. So pretty there! Can’t believe you took all those photos and ran such a fast time. Really I can’t believe it.
If you’re looking for a Marathon in a new state, I hear the good city of Detroit has a nice one. You get to hang with my friends Marshall (or “Eminem” as you may know him…) and Kid Rock, plus you get to see the gorgeous D-town!
Congrats on your run! =)
Wind is the worst! congrats on an awesome race.
Wowzers…great job! All of the race recaps from around the states have been talking about just how darn windy it has been! We have broken branches all over the place here!
Great job on “taking it easy”…or not! Now go be lazy and get ready for Boston!
Epic wind, rain, hills…you’re hard core!! (maybe snow next??!!) “BRING IT!” Such an awesome time!! I’m surprised that little sign/mile marker stood up against that wind!
Great pictures and re-cap!
R.I.C.E. – REST, ICE-CREAM, CANDY AND EAT!!
I think that’s how it goes!
Safe travels to Boston!
Amazing race, and time!
I live in the rural English North and I’m on top of a fell, so it’s always pretty windy. I curse my way through 12 miles in the gales, so I admire you a lot for pushing through 26.2 in similar conditions.
Two questions: What Kind of camera do you use? And How exactly do you take pictures while you are running? Are you just holding it in your hand the whole time??? (okay three questions)….congratulations on such a FAST time. That is awesome and thanks for blogging about it!
i have a nikon coolpix, just a regular point and shoot from costco and yes, i just take pics while running. the trick is to take a ton and delete all the bad ones.
Wow way to go! I love your pictures throughout the entire race! Makes it so much more interesting. I can’t wait to do my 5k and start training for my 10k. One day I hope I can be as amazing as you and run a marathon, AND STILL LOOK GORGEOUS AT THE FINISH LINE!
Congrats! You should sooooo sign up for the 2102 Disney Goofy Race (1/2 on sat and full on Sunday ) it would help you accomplish your checklist of races in other states
Um, I second that because then I could be super creepy and try to for real stalk you! I’m doing the goofy!
Way to punch that wind in the face and exceed your Gansett goal!! Ugh–I hate wind the most of all the elements–kudos to you for fighting through it!!
Love the pictures and the recap of the race.
Good luck in Boston!!
You’re awesome … ’nuff said!
Congrats!!!!
Too bad about the major wind, though….
Nice Job! You make it look so easy. Good luck at Boston!
Wow, amazing job out there in the wind! And you looked great to boot! The photos are gorgeous, too.
Huge congrats!!
That looks so pretty! I need to go to New England. Sorry about the wind. I HATE running when it’s windy.
May I ask why you wear compression socks??
they are supposed to help with recovery and fatigue
Love your blog!! My husband is in Providence area this weekend visiting our son and family. I loved seeing your Narragansett pics – we’ve been there before. Enjoy the Boston Marathon. I used to work for a company in downtown Hopkinton, MA but never got to see the start of the Marathon. Heb 11:1.
just have to say you are amazing and far more than a normal jogger as you say! Your paces, many marathon, and energy blow me away!
Congrats on #16. I ran a 10K in February with wind so bad it knocked over a portapotty and sent two more sailing about twenty feet from where they were set up (stopped only by a car parked nearby). It was horrible. I know what you mean when you said it actually made you take a step backwards mid run. Hopefully Boston will have better weather for you. Between the wind here and rain in LA, you deserve agood weather race day!
The wind here has been BRUTAL, I cant imagine having to run it it! Such a rockstar!! Im jealous of your weekend, hope you have a wonderful time with The Jman and he isnt having work stress
Awesome job! I totally hear ya about the wind…I live in MA and it can be brutal. Sometimes it’s been so windy I just wanted to sit on the side of the road and cry. Best of luck on Monday! I’m DVRing it and hopefully can catch you and a couple other bloggers on TV
That race looks beautiful! I’m sorry about the wind though!
Yay! That’s amazing! You did really good, I hate running in the wind, it’s so mentally draining…I can’t believe you still clocked that time. I always imagine those ocean view courses could get pretty breezy. Did I mention you ran really fast? I forgot what your PR is – that has to be close to it though right? Great job! Good luck at Boston and have fun!!
you are close to marking off another goal.. sub 3:20 marathon!!!! heck if the wind weren’t so bad today you would have done it! is this a PR for you?
its close but no, not a pr
I wish I was as hardcore as you!
Congratulations!! What a great race. (I can’t believe you’re doing another one in two days.) You make it sound so easy. I hate running on windy days. In fact, I don’t. If the wind is over 15 mph, I cross train inside. So my hat’s off to you. Great job!
Congrats!!! You were en fuego today! Good luck Monday!!!
Nice job!! Congrats on #16! I am not sure why you look so great after a marathon, but it is certainly not fair!!
Congrats girl!!! Hope you beat that in Boston!!!
Coastal RI is beautiful – did the race go through Newport? I love Newport. Grew up 30 minutes from there (in New Bedford, hometown of one of the Biggest Loser winners from a few years ago).
You kicked ass! Here to good recovery for your legs for Monday!
wow! that is a ROCKSTAR time, especially with that wind. The course looks amazing!!! Congrats!! have a great time running Boston.
Great job, SR! I knew you would do awesome
gorgeous scenery! Have you ever been to Halifax, Nova Scotia? It totally reminds me of the pictures posted–gorgeous!
oh and congrats!
Awesome job! Man you are super fast! I hate running in the wind, it has been really strong here in Charlotte and it definitely makes it hard to run against.
Good luck in Boston!
Awesome job, SR! One of the terrible things about new england in the spring is our awful cold winds that never seem to be at your back. Despite that, you did great! The course looks lovely and you rocked it! Now get some rest for Boston!
Way to push through tough conditions. Very pretty course though. Congrats!
You killed it! Nice time…too bad it was so tough! Good luck tomorrow
Great race!! Good luck tomorrow!
Awesome time AND it was windy?? Rockstar!! Congrats on Boston too…impressive times two days apart, no idea how you do it!!
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