State 29- Charleston, South Carolina
3:57:52
(I started writing this a week after the race and forgot about it so here I am, the day before my NEXT marathon, finishing it up ... Not super detailed but good enough!)
time
tīm/
noun
1.
the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
"travel through space and time"
; noun: Father Time
2.
a point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon.
"the time is 9:30"
synonyms: hour; More
This marathon title isn't necessarily true when the word 'always' is used, but when running a marathon in every state, if it's never a good time, then what's the point!? After Baltimore, I needed to make sure the next race was a good time.. By both definitions of time; Enjoyment of the run and to get back under 4 hours.
When I ran with Vanessa in the second half of Baltimore, I managed to enjoy myself instead of being focused on my mishaps of the race. I ended up not running a marathon in December, and decided since Veronica and I were headed out to South Carolina together and she was so close to breaking 4 hours, I decided I would help her get there.
It's amazing, when I am focused on others, how great I can feel. So while Veronica is grateful for me... Really, there was selfish motive as pacing her helped me achieve my goal: feel good run sub 4 hours.
I was never fully trained for marathons in 2013. I was conditioned but not a specific plan leading up to the race. In October I plotted out a training plan for Charleston. Not Hal Higdon ... But personalized to me. I picked back up on running 7-8 milers twice a week and then shorter fast runs, and I gave myself a few weeks of built up the long run mileage with no step backs until taper time.
And then we had the element of Wisconsin weather.
My long runs became split inside and out. Because of tons of snow, not cleared (or sharing roads with cars that don't share the road so you are constantly worried about rolling your ankles jumping off over to the ditch) I just didn't find it worth it to be in those conditions for 3 hours. There was one Sunday morning I really wanted to skip the run, but I knew mentally, to feel prepared, I had to run! Luckily it was after subbing a spin class, so fast Gary said he would join a few. We ran 8-8:30s on poor footing and kept relaxed talking the whole time. When he was done with the 6 he joined me on, he wanted to encourage me. So he said 'if you keep working at it, you could be a good runner one day'. Which just makes me laugh. It's all perspective. I'm happy with where I'm at on my runs. Faster is always lovely, but never want to trade out my good time for speed.
Long runs continued to challenge my ability to keep disciplined in completing them. There was the big ice morning. Saturday was a great warm day (30s) but of course I didn't run that day. Everything had melted, so as I was out running and temps dropped on Sunday, I was more so ice skating than running. So once again my last 6 miles, I took to the treadmill. With changing it up, the treadmill finish was always strong.
Maddy and Jill would join me on cut back weeks, I really enjoyed their company. Also both fast runners with a good stride. They were pushing their distance running while I was pushing speed at that distance.
So the weekend of the race, I was prepared. I was ready to feel good and get Veronica through a sub 4 hour. We did our usual shopping for cloths. Here is what I've learned about me: I would rather be overdressed than be too cold in a marathon. The run was point to point with most miles running into the wind. I kept my throw away with me and almost always on, while Veronica is the opposite of me and would rather be under dressed and removed hers right away. It's always good to know how your body responds to temps because it's going to play into your race!
So yes, Charleston ha unseasonably cold weather (just like most of our nation, dang vortex winds). While 60s and 70s were the norm, we were starting in the 30s making it to the 40s.
Veronica and I made the run fun from the start. With matching throw aways. As the race started we fell into that comfortable 9:00 pace. Ever split was strong and awesome. We chatted about everything under the sun as usual. It was just so nice to be out there with a friend. A friend who has a positive outlook on life, and though it was unseasonably cold and we had wind, we just kept reminding ourselves how blessed we are to take quick trips like this one and run.
At the half way point we had so much wind it was a push. And every time I would tell Veronica to pick it up some so we don't fall behind, she would say 'okay'. ... Being the perfect person to pace! I'm not an 'okay' girl. When I'm running and someone wants to motivate me, I say words that rhyme with 'truck few'
Our pace did slip some, but we built a tiny bit of space. When we ran out of things to talk about as we had the whole day and night before catching up as well, we would count our steps. Focusing on cadence trying to remain efficient... Taking our mind off any pain. We would use yoga breathing to help relax shoulders. And then with 3 or 4 miles to go, we were slipping so I asked Veronica to give me a half mile push, and she did! A 4:15 half mile split, showing it was the mind winning out on the body as she slowed otherwise that wouldn't have been possible! Then we hit some pretty trail, and noticeable inclines. Slowing started to happen in that last 1.5 miles.
And again praising Veronica for being the best person to pace as I became the carrot. I would shout out 'come get me!" And she would say "okay". At this point there was no change in her pace, but her metal capacity to stay positive was so strong!
We finished sub 4 hours, I was so proud of Veronica and so happy to have started 2014 racing right finishing feeling happy, strong, like my endurance legs are back.
Both definitions of time were deemed a success!
