Jodi- Mountains
2 Beach Marathon
May 29,
2016
3:56:41 1106/2668 overall 64/192
Age Group
Post-race Facebook Post: finished Mountains 2 Beach in 3:56:41. Kinda blacked out 3 times in the
last 2 or 3 miles. Luckily, as I was being carted off to medical after passing
out at the finish, I did manage to stop my Garmin. LOL. I'm ok with my results
because I left it all out there!!
Details:
The race started in downtown
Ojai. I was so careful to keep the early
miles slower since I started my last 3 marathons too fast. I kept the first 4 miles right around a 9
minute average pace. I felt nice and
relaxed and even enjoyed some window shopping as we ran by. (I found the perfect chair for my sitting
room. Must go back!)
Miles 6-10 were very comfortable
right at marathon pace of 8:45ish. (Please
note: when running a marathon it is
inappropriate to snot-rocket. There are
people behind you!) Yes, I received it
downwind. Luckily, I anticipated the
draft and covered my face with my own handkerchief. Also noted a pebble in my left shoe at about
the halfway point. Somehow I worked it
into the toe of the shoe. It bounced
around a bit but mostly stayed put.
I was very comfortable all the
way through the first 14 miles, keeping paces at or near 8:45-8:50. I was not worried about my 3:50 goal because
my watch was hitting the miles before I reached the mile markers. A first for me! Just before a long uphill at mile 15, the
3:53 pace group caught up to me. I knew
they were way ahead of pace so I didn’t worry about it. But this is why I hate pace groups. They can really create negative thoughts!
Sometime between 16-17, Katie
joined me! What a treat to have her with
me. By this time I had run out of water
in my hand-held bottle so she was able to fill it and even carried it for most
of the rest of the race. I maintained
marathon pace all the way through mile 23.
This was a first for me as well because in the past I slowed down much
sooner. I was confident that I could PR
and BQ is I could keep my pace right at 9.
I told Katie this. Apparently,
this is where things went south. Katie
says I repeated “Dear God” constantly.
She said later “it was annoying”.
LOL.
We saw John somewhere around
mile 23. I barely remember it. And I hate to admit this, but I had an
accident there as well. It was
uncontrollable. I considered taking a
gel but knew I couldn’t tolerate it so decided to keep pressing on. Still calculating, if I could maintain my
pace around 9 I could still BQ.
Mile 24: 9:30.
Mile 25: 9:26. Mile 26: 10:54
0.21 mi: Took me 2:43.
Somewhere in this stretch I was
aware that I was severely hunched forward.
Katie told me to try to improve my posture but I wasn’t capable. I kept hearing Coach Brad “keep your chin up”
but it wouldn’t go up. I told Katie I couldn’t see. I know I blacked out at least twice and Katie
said she caught me once. I have no
memory of it. I also know that I kept
running. I had to. I didn’t have the mental capacity to look at
my watch so finish time was never on my mind.
I just knew I had to keep running so I could finish. I couldn’t let myself down again by
walking. Or Katie. Or John.
Katie kept telling me I was almost there. I literally couldn’t see. I kept asking where the finish was. At some point near the finish I crashing into
the barricade by the spectators. A man
came and helped me up and guided me toward the finish. I have no recollection of stopping the
Garmin, getting my medal or getting help to the medical tent.
Medical is not a place you ever
want to be! They got me ice, water,
orange slices, and a bag for my dry heaves.
The worst part was knowing John and Katie must be worried. Finally found a man who allowed me to call
John to tell them where I was. John
arrived just when the severe leg cramps did. Thank the Lord for Icy Hot!
Obviously I survived still not
quite sure what caused my demise when I was on target for a PR and BQ
time. It was either nutrition or
hydration I’m sure. Perhaps I needed
that last gel around mile 23. Or maybe I
didn’t drink enough along the course in the humidity.
Regardless, I was able to keep
running at the end (except when I collapsed).
I had 3 goals for this
race: 1)3:50. 2)PR (under 3:54). 3)Or run a sub 4-hour
marathon. I reached the third goal but
proved to myself that I have a lot more mental toughness and determination than
I give myself credit for.
This was Marathon #9 for Jodi.
Pictures at: https://coachjohnrunning.shutterfly.com/pictures/8
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