When you look at a calendar and start marking down distances you plan to run in the upcoming weeks, sometimes there are certain days you just look at and say “ugh.” It’s just something you know you are not looking forward to, but understand that it must be run in order to get you that finish line.
When I built my calendar for the Phoenix Marathon, there were a couple of those “unfortunate” days scheduled. One was a couple of weeks ago when I had a solo 18-miler planned; the other was this past weekend when I had a solo 20-miler marked down.
The day after my 18-miler, I looked at Saturday’s 20 like it was the plague. With a quick search on the interwebs, I found a local trail race in the Marin Headlands through Coastal Trail Runs. The cool thing about trail races in the Bay are that they are reasonably priced. So, instead of doing a solo 20-miler, I signed up for a trail marathon 6-days out. Makes sense to me.
Leading up to this race, my longest distance was 18 miles and I was a couple of months removed from the CIM training and finish line. This distance was going to be a test to the legs, and with the elevation gain/loss (almost 5,000+ ft), this day was going to be all about getting in the distance and crossing the finish line safely.
Disclaimer-thingy
In all fairness, I have been running a long time, am very familiar with how my legs respond during the training cycle (although race day is another story), and know what my body can handle. Jumping from 18 to 26 and adding elevation is something I would never suggest. One of those “what I say, not what I do” type of things. With this being a 13.1 mile loop done twice, knowing some of the course, and understanding that walking/hiking would be done, were important factors in making the decision. And yes, a decent 20-miler is better than a struggling 26.2, but for me, the latter was a better option on this particular weekend.
Golden Gate Trail Run
With little fanfare and exactly on par with the trail running scene, a semi-large group of us gathered at a gate entrance to start the race. It was a mix of people doing the half and the full, with the majority doing the 13.1 mile option. Those doing the 50K option had already left 15-minutes prior. We were hit with an elevation gain right away and the race pretty much started out with a walk. In looking at the course elevation there were two big climbs/descents. I kept my typical trail strategy and ran when I could, and walked when I needed to.
The first loop went by pretty comfortably. The start of the race was cold/windy, but once we were further out on the trails it turned out to be a gorgeous day: sunny with a little wind. There were 2 aid stations along the course and a third being at the end of the first loop. It was a great way to break up the course: essentially run 4 miles, aid station, run another 4, aid station, then the last 4 and an aid station before you did it all over again. Shout out to the dude holding the beer with his medal that said to me (paraphrasing) “it must suck to have to go do that loop again.” I offered to switch him places and even hold his beer, but he wasn’t having it. Next time maybe.
The legs felt good at the halfway point and I was feeling semi-confident heading into the second loop, but understood that we were approaching uncharted territory with the distance and elevation. The “ups” pretty much stayed the same (walking when needed), but the “flats” and the “downs” were the ones that slowed in the later miles. I could feel my quads starting to whimper from the beating on the down, so I pulled it back a bit to make sure nothing was too thrashed, remembering that this was a training run and the focus should be on Phoenix.
I crossed the finish line around 5:20, slower than I had hoped for, but pleased with how well my body responded. This was also my first time running in the Pro Compression “elites” and I friggin’ LOVED them. They have little bit more padding on the bottom (similar to the lows, which I always run in) and some increased compression in the calf. Everyone that I have talked to raves about how awesome they are and I agree completely.
Golden Gate Trail Run (Marathon)
5:20:52
23/51 Overall
3/5 Age Group
After the race, I made my way to the Golden Gate Bridge for some quick photos and views and a couple of runners spotted me snapping pics with my medal. We chatted for a bit and one of the runners, Brandon, was a photographer. He snapped the featured photo at the top. The running community is amazing. Take a second to check out his work, it’s stunning.
31st Full Marathon and snagged 3rd in my Age Group – see the bronze?
Up Next:
Phoenix Marathon, Feb. 27
Full: Sold Out
Half: Limited Spots remain
10% OFF code: PAVEY10
#WERUNSOCIAL meet up
Sponsored by Pro Compresison
Friday, Feb. 26 at 1PM
Pro Compression booth at the Expo (GIVEAWAYS!)
Hosted by @PavementRunner and @RunEMZ. aka #runpaveyemz
Hashtags: #werunsocial, #phoenixmarathon, #itsgoingdownatphx
Have you ever signed up for a race (any distance) as a training run?
I’ve definitely raced in lieu of a training run. It makes it easier, somehow, to get the distance done… but I didn’t run a marathon!
Give it time. Just give it time.
this is part of why you are so awesome (and inspirational) I don’t think I could handle a spontaneous any distance race, mentally handle I’d be way to anxious, I get the race jitters when I’ve been planning for months ;) with that said I have used 5k’s and 10k’s as part of larger race training before
Part of being ready for race day is just going out and doing it. I still get nervous before goal races, I’m not sure that ever goes away. Thanks for reading (and you are inspirational and awesome as well).
Wow, nice job!!!! I need to get myself a pair of the Elites…and the lows. I basically just need more pro compression in my life ;)
Good luck in Phoenix!! I wish I could have been there this year but I know San Diego will be AMAZING!
Thanks. We are going to miss you in PHX, but glad we’ll see you in SD. AND yes, the ELITES are amazing.
wow. respect. I have never run a full spontaneously to prepare for another full. my husband has and he has me beat in the badass category literally by miles. I do however very, very, often run races as training runs! I despise trying to come up with a long run route that I have to run on my own. I have tried (and will continue!) to be positive about it and occasionally have a very good long run, but participating in races is just way better for my frame of mind. In fact I just did a 25K race on Sunday as part of my training and this coming Sunday I do a Half Marathon as my LSR. In a couple weeks we have a 30KM. So, yeah, I even recommend it to people – you get used to adapting to race day conditions and you can totally try stuff out on your run that you don’t want to do on race day (like fueling options).
Well done on your training marathon!!
Absolutely! If you have a longer distance than a local race, you can sometimes run to the start line or do some miles before. Get in 5 before a half, or 6 before a 10k. It’s a great way to break up the long runs, but it’s all about timing.
A marathon as a training run, you crazy! I’ve never used a race as a training run but it seems like a good idea especially to break up some long solo training runs.
Thanks. You just have to work in some additional recovery time and factor in pace as to not trash your legs over the marathon distance. My body seems to recover nicely when I do long distances.
Awesome job and what amazing views!!! I have done a half marathon race as part of marathon training but signing up for a trail marathon…yeah not so much! You did awesome!!!
haha… so you are only half as crazy. You just need a little nudge to our side, I know you could do it strong.
This is so great!! Congratulations on the bronze medal. I’d love to do a trail marathon – and am so looking forward to visiting the West Coast after all these pictures!!
Thanks, we have some great sights (running and non).
Mate that sounds like an awesome marathon, and awesome pictures by the way too. I totally would have signed up on a whim, too. I’ve done two marathons as training runs in my day: the Atlantic City Marathon in 2010 and the Baltimore Marathon last fall, both as training runs for Philly five weeks later. Worked out great as I ran a PR at Philly both times.
There is a method to our madness. I run the Oakland Running Festival each year, sister race to the Baltimore Marathon.
Amazing that you can just throw down a marathon! As for races as training, do it all the time. We have a local racing group that we have run with and use as training. They offer everything from 5K to Full marathons. Makes the long runs easier when a shiny piece of hardware is at the end and there is course support/water stations. Super reasonable price too. Good luck in Phoenix
“Throw down a marathon” is being kind. There was a good amount of walking/hiking and hanging out longer-than-needed at the aid stations. Local races are the best.
I so wish I lived near beautiful places to run like that! #Jealous
Many (including me) would say the same things about where you live. #runnerswap
That’s a pretty dang impressive tral full finish! I totally sign up for as many races as I can to compensate for the long runs (i.e. a half + 3 for my 16 mile days) because if you’re gonna run that far, why not earn a medal in the process?
Well done Pavey – see you in Phoenix! I know you’ll be ready to rock!
We definitely would rather run a race than a self-supported long run. It’s a lot more fun to run with others and have aid stations than to do it on your own :). Great job out there!
So pretty, jealous of those views!
A spontaneous marathon? A spontaneous trail marathon? Oh good gravy. Lol, amazing. Inspiring. Love the disclaimer. My goal in the past was to always be able to run a 5k. Any time. I’ll get back there…
You are so awesome! What a gorgeous day to run and way to just go for it when you weren’t feeling the solo long run – I think you made a great decision! Love seeing those views and nice work on running smart and STILL nabbing 3rd! :)