For the second year in a row, I made my way down to San Diego for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. This year, I would be running as a part of Team Chocolate Milk and running with a general time goal, but not looking to PR.
Saturday morning, I hosted a shakeout run leaving the expo at 10am from the Chocolate Milk booth and the general shenanigans happened when runners and photos happen.
The SA2LV crew knows what’s up.
Thanks to Sparkly Soul, Inc. for hooking up our lovely runners with some RnRSD headbands — the First Lady got a rainbow one and has been wearing it ever since.
Race morning came and since my hotel was fairly close to the start line, I decided to walk. I left the hotel around 5 am in short sleeves and wasn’t cold one bit. I took note as that might be a sign that it was going to be a warm day, although I was hoping it would hold at that temperature even enter the sun rose.
After some more pre-race photos and catching up with old friends and making new ones, we were off.
With superstar runners and bloggers: @runeatrepeat, @stuftmama, @fitnessista, @mealsandmiles, @dasilentassassin, @skinnyrunnersr
The SA2LV crew — we pretty much takeover any area we go to, especially corrals
I decided to start a little behind the 3:40 pace and let them control the pace. I decided to hydrate at the water stations even though I wasn’t that thirsty. It was getting warm quickly and I noticed a lot of runners sweating through their shirts by mile 9. Gross, but when you are staring at people for over an hour, you notice things.
10k: 51:46
I stayed pretty close to the 3:40 group for the first several miles, but around mile 9 or so they were pretty well ahead of me. I could tell that it was going to be a tough day. My pace didn’t feel comfortable and it was far too early that kind of nonsense.
Once I crossed the halfway point, I decided to change strategy. There was no way I was going to be able to maintain the pace and knowing the second half hills, I knew I would crash if I didn’t adjust.
13.1 mi.: 1:52:35
I switched to running a mile then walking for 45 seconds and repeating. I increased my water and electrolyte intake and made it a goal to get to 18 feeling reasonably strong.
You know how…
when you talk to half marathon runners and they say “I’m tired after 13.1 and can’t imagine doing it all over again for a full.” Well, that’s what I did and I can completely relate to and understand the sentiment. I was spent at 13.1 and I’d be lying if I didn’t consider calling it a day and chalking up a DNF. With 13.1 miles left, a large uphill section at mile 20 and it only getting hotter, a DNF sounded nice. We can accomplish anything that we put our minds to…
But I wasn’t doing this race for time and was using it as part of a training run for my 52.6 race. This would be a perfect way to build mental strength and learning to push through fatigue — at least that is what I kept telling myself.
I got to Mile 18 and decided to text wifey that I was going to be behind pace. She was expecting me anywhere from 3:45-4:00 and I knew I would be closer to 4:20. I sent the “surrender” text and snapped a selfie. With 8 miles to go, it was the home stretch, so to speak.
20 mi.: 3:07:19
The toughest part was the 2 mile uphill climb up the 163 freeway. Because I ran it last year, I knew what to expect and that helped. Otherwise it might have been tough on a tired brain.
As I approached the final mile, I was pretty close to my expected updated finish time and was hoping to see wifey and the First Lady before I crossed the finish line. I saw them at Mile 26 and stopped for hugs and kisses. The First Lady was excited to see me and it made all 4+ hours worth it. It’s one of those moments where you realize that you didn’t give up and have a teachable moment.
26.2 mi.: 4:23:48
Sure it wasn’t the finish time I would have liked to have had. Sure it was hard and it was hot (for this SF kind of weather runner). But it’s a 26.2 mile experience and a finish for marathon number 23.
The good thing about running is that if you are healthy and willing, there is always another chance.
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And pssst, that chance is in two weeks when I’ll be running the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on June 21 – it’s all a part of my training plan for the 52.4 mile marathon for charity.
Anyone that donates before June 11 will be entered to win 1 of TWO pairs of PRO Compression socks – on top of being entered to win all the other amazing prizes.
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Have you ever changed your race goals mid-race?
Love this -> The good thing about running is that if you are healthy and willing, there is always another chance.
Way to go on being smart, changing your goals and still having fun with selfies!
I’ve definitely had races not go as planned. Glad you stuck with it- that’s great mental training for the ultra. And looks like you had a blast, regardless!
Way to hang in there, Pavey! Marathons are so much of a mental thing but you did an awesome job of staying positive. I think reframing goals is a great thing to do because really, you can’t expect everything to go 100% to plan on race day. I’ll often come up with a few non-time based goals going into each race in case something happens that is going to likely result in a less than ideal finishing time. Congrats on finishing off marathon number 23!
Knowing you were able to push through even though it was tough makes crossing the finish line even sweeter. Congrats!
I love all the pictures! You are seriously my race inspiration. Your honest about your runs and are so great about putting things in perspective.
I want to run a marathon one day and you inspired me even more! I like your approach of thinking of it as a mental challenge more than a physical one. I still think 4:23 is a great time. You’re a champion!
Your day, sounds exactly like mine – including all the thoughts! I too, ran it last year. It was my first marathon and I’d only done one half before that. This year was mentally rough for me. I had switched from the half, the night before, so when I got to mile 11, all I could do was question what the heck I was thinking??! Let’s just say, the next several miles didn’t help. Around mile 22, I finally walked a few seconds, which was enough for a mental shift, and finished. I decided I had to give myself some credit though, because this was my third marathon, and second in 6 weeks – something I’ve never done. It’s all part of the process, right? Congrats to you and finishing…marathon 23!! YOU are AMAZING!! Looks like you had a fun shakeout group too!! Oh, and I hope the First Lady loves her Sparkly Soul, as much as I do :)
Glad to read you did not DNF! Way to keep going and it is a good reminder/story to remember when I do my next marathon!
First, thanks for the shout out. Always nice meeting you B and for always being generous with your time. You are a great mentor! Second, YES YES! My first marathon, I did have so many doubts at so many points. I did what you did and ran 3/4 mile and walked a 1/4 mile. But look we finished! It’s a process and a learning experience and not giving in. You owned it and I applaud you for that! And even better you had your family there to celebrate crossing the line with you! Stay blessed B!
Way to get through! Mentally and physically. Accepting and adjusting and continuing forward with a new frame of mind i something that I need to work on. I get stuck in the negative nancy block and it completely throws me off. The medal looks pretty cool! I haven’t done SD before and have been wanting to do it. Someday it will happen :) Number 23 the marathon in the books. Holy wow.
I so feel your pain! That heat is a killer. My last two marathons have resulted in me adjusting my finish times. I was so disappointed in myself for a while, but I did what I could during the marathon and never gave up. The last one was the most disappointing because I was hoping to BQ and I started crashing hard in the early miles. My kids and husband were at mile 23 and then at the finish line and seeing their faces made me so happy and forgetting the crazy pain I was in. I already can’t wait to run my next marathon!
Still a great time and so proud you didn’t give up.
Seems like you have awesome pre-race meet ups.
I’d love to see you at one someday.
No chance you are Rock’n’Rolling it in VABeach or Savannah is there?