The Woodlands Marathon

Saturday, March 2nd was my last scheduled long race of the season:  The Woodlands Marathon.  I did this race last year with Kirstin and we both loved it so much that we decided we had to do it again.  I was really really nervous going into this race for a number of reasons:  

1.  Since I had my leg/groin injury in December, I hadn't had a good, solid, long road run.  So I didn't come into the race with very much confidence.

2.  This was my fifth marathon (or longer) distance in two months.  I was pretty worn out.

3.  Road marathons are very different than trail marathons and ultras.  On the trails and in ultras it seems to be more common and accepted to take walk breaks and to stop at the aid stations for a short break.  This doesn't really happen so much during the road marathons.  I had just done Rocky four weeks prior and Cross Timbers two weeks prior so I was really used to taking a lot of breaks and taking a long time to finish.  

4.  The Saturday before this race I went out for a 12 mile run with Kirstin.  I couldn't do it.  I had absolutely no energy.  I only made it 11 miles and that's only because I had to do that much to get back to my car.  So my usual thoughts of "this is my 11th marathon, I know I can at least finish it" were far from my mind.   

So, that's why I was nervous.     

My plan going into the race then was just to finish.  

I felt really great for the first half of the race, keeping my pace right around 10 minute miles.  When we passed through the half way mark I decided to try to pick up the speed just a little bit.  Things were going really great and my pace was slowly starting to pull down into the upper 9 minute miles.  The problem was that it was REALLY windy out there.  25 mph gusts.  No problem, I was slicing through the wind like Scott taught me.  But by the time I got to mile 18 I had just had enough of it.  I had a complete mental breakdown and I started walking.  Slowly.  With my head down in a defeated fashion.  I was just plain pooped.  

I walked some and ran some for the rest of the race.  I watched my pace slipping but I didn't even care.  I tried pep-talking myself to get going again but I just couldn't pick up the rhythm that I had going before.  I was so ready to be done.  At about mile 24.5 I turned around and saw the 4:30 pace group gaining on me.  No!  I wouldn't let them pass me!  They almost did.  They caught up to me and thank goodness  they were a group of awesome and supportive people.  They told me how great I was doing and to come finish the race with them.  So I jumped into their group and prayed that they would get me to the finish line.  When we hit the 25 mile marker I had a little surge of energy and started to pull ahead of the group.  I made it my goal for the last 1.2 miles to get as far ahead of that group as I could.  I finished in 4 hours 29 minutes and 26 seconds.  It is my fastest marathon.  Whew!  

It has been 6 days since the race and I haven't run again yet.  I was pretty worn out.

This is around mile 7 and the first time I saw the family:  Mike, Zoe,  Lisa, Sophie, Adam, and Jen.  I was just a little bit excited, can you tell?  :)  

I gave Mike my extra shirt and gloves then headed off.  I felt great at this point.

My Zoe

Lisa, Sophie, and Zoe

This is around mile 20 and the second time I saw the gang.  I wasn't doing too great.  I didn't say anything, just high-fived everyone as I passed by.

Here I am coming into the finish!  What a relief!

Lisa and Sophie!

Mike thinks I'm completely nuts for doing all of this but he also supports me 100%.  Zoe just wants me to run fast and win all the races.

Me and Kirstin.  Um, I'm kind of snuggling right into her.  haha!   By the way, she killed it and finished in 3 hours 46 minutes.  I'm not sure I will ever be that fast!  

Lisa came to the rescue when my post race full body shivers started.  :)

Aren't McMurtrey' great?  I love my family!!!!!! (me, Adam, and Lisa)

Jen, thank you so much for all the pictures.  Next time we need to make sure we get some pics of you!!!