I’m just a dizzy blonde
First of all, sorry about the cryptic previous posts. For some reason my darling’s iPhone wouldn’t let me enter any text in the post field (but I knew you were all waiting around all day just to see how I did) 🙂
So the good news is I PR’d; although official results haven’t been posted online (someone either made off with the sheet they posted at the end or it blew away), but Garmin says my final time was 4:15:18. My emotions have ranged from being ecstatic for finishing (believe me, there were a couple of miles where that was in question), to being bummed for not BQ’ing, to being frustrated for having a poor last 10K. And yes, that’s where things went downhill — literally, although not enough, plus figuratively.
Although I ran the first few miles a bit faster than I should have, I don’t think that contributed to my downfall. My strategy was to average 9:20 over the first six miles; it was closer to 9:12. I was then going to pick it up to 9:15 for the next three, but was closer to 9:05. Mile 10 was 9:18, but I followed that with three sub 9 minute miles.
So, what got to me? The hills! I knew what to expect at the creek beds at miles 16 and 20 since we had the chance to check them out beforehand, but I wasn’t expecting the rolling hills from miles 13-20. Thing is, they really were no different from the hills at the Kirkland or Mercer Island half marathons; I think where they were in the race contributed to my slowdown, but the real culprit was the dizziness. I drank at every fuel stop (which were placed practically every two miles), plus ate three ClifShots and one package of ShotBlocks. But I think the cold that’s been threatening me decided to rear its evil head during the race.
Although my body was still really strong, I couldn’t shake the dizziness and had to start walking several times. My average pace for the first 20 miles was 9:14 min/mile; I actually thought I might still have a chance to BQ but knew I would have to push it really hard during the last 10K. Alas, I couldn’t do it. My ears became blocked and I decided I’d walk it out to clear my head, then hopefully finish strong (which I did — I managed to sprint the final 1/3 mile!).
Again, I’ll post more tomorrow, but now I’m lounging with a glass of wine. Cheers!
June 8th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Betsy,
While I was sulking in the aftermath of my perceived failure in Ogden, I got an email from a friend that really lifted my spirits. I think he nailed it right on the head and I’ve referred back to it several times since. He said:
“What I have found rewarding is overcoming the obstacles in running as they come, realizing you can only do what you can do on the day, and then working out how you’re going to get through it. I think this is the fun of marathons that many people don’t appreciate, that the day is very unlikely to be perfect and if the only goal is a time/BQ then you’re really setting yourself up.
It sounds like this marathon was one of those experiences, and you’re right, you should be just as proud of it as the previous two, perhaps more so. All that work has not gone to waste either, you’re still a stronger runner than 6 months ago. It just wasn’t your day.”
When you think about it, there are SO many factors that have to play out favorably to run a BQ marathon. Seems the ugly truth is that chances are something will go wrong that prevents it from happening. We both were very well prepared going into our races, but unfortunately the stars didn’t all align and we walked away just a little short from our desired goals. Wasn’t our day, plain and simple. I hope you’re able to look at your performance today with hope, optimism and pride. There’ll soon be a “your day” and it’ll make up for today a hundred fold when it happens!
Rest and recover. You deserve it!
June 8th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Angie — Hear! Hear! Truer words couldn’t be spoken. I figured I had to allow myself a little pity party, but I really am proud of what I accomplished. It just goes to show how challenging running a marathon can be. I’m also bolstered by the fact I was able to pass a couple of groups of people who passed me at the get-go!
I WILL make it to Boston some day; it may be next April 20, it may not. But I’m still enjoying this adventure. (As I’m typing this I’m already thinking about my plan for Royal Victoria! Although I thought I’d sleep soundly tonight, I woke up a little after 11 p.m. and couldn’t get back to sleep).
June 9th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Awesome time Betsy! I know it wasn’t the BQ you were looking for, but still a great PR at that! You trained hard and did very well. I’ll see ya in Victoria if you’re there. I hear it’s a fairly fast course!
June 9th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Tracker — unless I’m injured (knuckles knocking on wood) we’re definitely there! (I signed us up in March, I believe, plus we already have our hotel!)
June 9th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Yeah Betsy! All your hard work paid off! That was an amazing time!
June 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Congratulations!!! That’s a pretty fantastic time and I’m really excited to hear that you PRed. Way to go!
June 9th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Congrats on the PR and the good time. cant beat both of those factors!
June 9th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Betsy, you smashed your previous marathon PR by an hour that is an awesome accomplishment. I was really surprised by the rolling hills on this course and you are absolutely right they came at a bad point. My legs were burning from the flatness and then all of a sudden those uphills came – yeouch! Love the gentle downhills though.
RE:Dizziness – I was having quite a bit of dizziness on some of my training runs a couple of weeks ago and I really think it was due to my blood sugar plummeting. Truly, I swear by those Crank E-gels and water. I don’t use those with any electrolyte drink because they have electrolytes in the gel. I make sure I take one every 5 miles and I took my last one a mile early to help me get over that rough patch.
I’m glad you had a nice glass of wine last nice, DH and I opened a bottle as well.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:37 am
i just wanted to say i’ve been following your journey and congratulations on your PR. i have attempted to run during even minor colds before and i will tell you that i never could have even FINISHED a marathon, let alone grind out a PR in any sort of less-than-my-best state! with that said, i will say that my most painful marathon (i’ve only done 3, although i’ve completed training for 2 others only to get injured at the end) was the one i used pfitz 18/55 for. personally, i think i just respond better to more speed and tempo work than his plan has. so that might be something to think about for the future. but then again, you might have rocked it if you were feeling your best! i hope you recover quickly! at this point for me, any marathon cycle in which i do not get injured is a raving success.