Shamrock Marathon - RunMarathon

I felt great at the beginning, weaved my way through people and got in a nice grove. I tried to be conservative and not go out too fast…first mile was about 8:30…which was perfect. We ran down to Rudee Inlet and looped around before heading over the bridge. This is a pretty easy bridge so I took my time but still felt strong. Then we ran all the way down past the Marine Science museum and Camp Pendleton until we turned around and made our way into the base. Now this was awesome for me because my Dad used to work here so I have many memories of visiting him here and checking out the snack room and shredding paper…yes the little things were fun for my sister and me. We also ran past the 203rd Red Horse Memorial where just days earlier people gathered to remember the 10th anniversary of the worse accident during peacetime in the history of the Air Guard. I thought about those that died and remembered where I was when it happened. Said my little prayer and was off. I also wanted to mention the support of those on base was some of the best I have ever experienced. Loved running through that crowd!

I slowed down near a group of porta potties and saw someone leave so I ran in and peed. I felt amazing afterwards! I kept up my pace trying to stay within 8:30 and 8:45 minute miles. I took my first two Gu Chomps around mile 5 and just as I finished those a girl commented on my pink socks. She and I chatted quite a bit and I actually missed seeing Scottie at the turn around b/c I was talking too much…imagine that! She and I ended up running together for about 10 miles. This was her first marathon and she was looking to run under 4 hrs, which was my goal so it worked out well. We started back on the boardwalk and the wind really picked up. It was really miserable…but we started talking to two guys who were about the same pace. I mentioned that I do triathlons as well and she asked if I did an Ironman and I said I was doing one in November. One of the guys asked if it was Arizona and I said no, Florida…he said he had done that one and it is great…so we chatted a bit more about tris before Lauren and I pulled away. Right around the 12 mile mark we see some of the back of the pack half marathon runners turning in to finish…oh what a tease to be almost done! But we trucked on.

Right around the 13 mile mark I started to slow. At this point we were running back on Atlantic avenue and the wind gusts were ridiculous between the tall hotels…I felt like I was crawling. Plus my stomach didn’t feel great…it didn’t hurt but I felt like I had a rock in my stomach and I felt burpey. So I just tried to do what I could…Lauren was saying our pace was near 9min miles…which I said was fine I needed to slow a bit. So she stuck with the 2 tri buys and I did my own thing. Then I realized I think I was a little...um…stopped up and my nutrition wasn’t absorbing properly. I didn’t feel like I had any umph. So I tried to alternate water and Gatorade to get some hydration and calories. We then hit Shore Drive which was a little isolated but by this point I saw Lauren come out of a porta potty, her stomach wasn’t happy either so I told her to try just drinking water to see if her gels would absorb. We started running together again and met up with Wayne from New Jersey. He asked how our races were going and how many we had done then I asked how many he had done and he responded: 274. Ah a veteran! So we started chatting about his races and how long he had been running etc. Lauren dropped off to walk and Wayne and I ran together for about 2-3 miles. This was so fun because we talked races, strategy, travel etc. We kept up a respectable 9 min mile pace and he reminded me that we run for ourselves not for anyone else…which I needed to hear since I certainly wasn’t BQing today and I felt my PR was going to slip away too. But I am sure Wayne didn’t PR every race so it’s not really necessarily needed as long as you are having a good time. He stopped off to walk and I went on my way.

My next mile was much slower as I didn’t have anyone to talk to. I think this was around mile 18 or 19. I knew the end was in sight but I also knew these last miles were the toughest. I tried to take a Gel at mile 19 but it was slightly solidified due to the cold, so I tried to take little bites of it to keep nutrition up…but it was not working. I felt nauseous and went into a porta potty to see if anything would happen. I peed a little and noticed it was neon yellow…I was dehydrated…I knew I wasn’t drinking enough because the cold always throws off the amount I drink. So at the water stop I drank 2 cups of water and felt much better. So I stuck with water until the end just to keep hydrated and keep my head in the game.

I didn’t use my cell phone at all this trace, mostly because I knew Scottie and most of my friends were running races at the same time so I had no one to cheer me on…I was completely in my own head. I stuck with my Richmond strategy of walking the water stations to get hydrations and keep my head in check…seemed to work ok. The crowd support near the end was great…a few beer stations which I really wanted to try but I knew I would probably puke it up. I hit 23 and knew I was almost done but also knew my under 4 hr goal was not possible. So I just tried to make the best of it and keep moving. Hitting mile 25 was glorious because I knew I would be turning onto the Boardwalk very soon! Turning on to the Boardwalk also meant more wind! But as I start running I saw the finish line which looks deceivingly short but it was quite a trek. No one was around me so I felt like I was winning the race! I tried so hard to sprint it in but I knew it I went any faster I was going to lose it. Everyone was screaming my name and I felt awesome…then I heard Dad yell for me, but I couldn’t look or again, I would lose it. So I gave him the thumbs up. I am in the zone…trying to compose myself and keep the feet moving. Then all of a sudden I felt no pain or discomfort…I just smiled big for the camera and finished with jazz hands!



Maybe no mac and cheese for dinner the night before? My overall nutrition has been piss poor so I think cleaning up the diet will help a lot.

As soon as I finished I felt terrible. I got my medal…walked and got my finisher hat and shirt (woot) and as much food as I could hold. I staggered through the everlasting finishers chute and found an open spot hear a Ryder truck where I sat down and called Mom. I chugged a bottle of water and inhaled two sugar cookies…solid food tasted amazing. Mom and Dad found me pretty quickly and we hugged and then I started shivering like crazy (I now realize they didn’t have those space blankets to keep warm…those would have been nice) so I put on as many layers as I could…which helped but my legs were still freezing.
Scottie wasn’t too far behind me and somehow among all the crowds he found me…I was so happy that he was in on piece! After OBX he crossed the finish line with knees wrapped and was hobbling around in tons of pain. This time, he was still hobbling but he didn’t sustain any major injuries…so I was relieved! As much as I wanted to get my free beer and beef stew I just didn’t have the patience to deal with the crowd and frankly I wasn’t sure what I could hold down so I suggested we go to a nearby bar.
A side story of sort, years ago I was visiting my parents the weekend of Shamrock and we had breakfast at this bar. There were lots of finishers there that day enjoying drinks post race and hobbling around with their medals, I told myself that day I would do this race and would come to Big Sam’s to celebrate, so I am very excited I finally got the chance!
Liquids went down better then solids so I enjoyed two beers and 2 slices of quesadilla before we went home to ice and recovery. I didn’t do my usual ice bath and Recoverite shake…which I am regretting now because I am quite sore. Almost as sore as after my 50k in December. Oh well live and learn. I have plenty more marathons to run and I think you learn something new after each one!



Great race by J&A as usual. Love all of the extras: race bag, tech shirt (that actually fits!) finishers long sleeve shirt, awesome finishers running hat, finishers medal that open beers, post race beer/food/concert (that I missed out on but looked like fun!)

Missed the space blankets at the end and wasn't sure about the Carb Boom gels but overall very happy with the aid stations and porta potties.