Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - RunMarathon

So, the weather was perfect and overcast for the start of the run, and I felt awesome. I was cruising at a good pace but it felt really easy. Part of me wondered if I was going to fast, but I didn't think so, I really felt like I could keep 7:55-8:05 the whole run. It was going well. Then 9-12.5 were on 163 and the whole road was canted A LOT--not to mention this linked us back up with the Half-Marathon--which meant I was 5 miles ahead of the half-mary folks, and there were more of them--nothing against them, but they were about the 2:30-2:45 groups and there were lots of walkers--that meant some dodging. When we turned on Friars the road was still canted or it was more of the sloped to both sides until we got to mission bay park. I had to work a little harder in these points to keep my pace, but felt like I still could. Then we got to Mission Bay Park and it got pancake flat--and it was here that I knew the 3:30 I thought I might get was gone, and maybe I could reach my old PR of 3:34---my legs were heavy and felt odd---tighter hamstrings and calves than I typically have. It was a little more humid than it had been, and getting sunny at this point. I wasn't feeling nutritionally depleted at all, but my legs were heavy. I started dumping some water on the head at aid stations, and added some occasional sports drink. Then I passed some folks handing out half-otter pops--man, never sounded so good and there was a BLUE one...that tasted great and sped me up some. But, I was hurting some at this point, and come mile 20 I really wanted to be done, but instead I was about to go onto Fiesta Island. It's flat--but it's desolate, and it felt hot (not TX hot though, and there were some nice cool breezes) and you just felt like you had so much further to go, and my hammies and calves were just so tired and sore (which, again, is odd-typically I feel my quads). I know I'm going to finish, but now it's just that, get there the fastest I can, but don't push too much harder or it's going to be bad. I swear Fiesta Island lasted FOREVER. I know they do some time trials out there, and I was thinking--I'd really rather ride my bike out here than run!! I was glad to finally get off of it and knew the finish line would be coming up, but it took awhile to reach the finish line. Meanwhile, earlier in the race an Asian "Marilyn Monroe" passed me (in full dress w/fanny pack), but then I passed her, and then we were about neck and neck, and then she passed me, and then she slowed down in the chute--and I just wanted to be done, so I came in right before Marilyn. I was glad to be done, but more sore than I expected. I wasn't thrilled with my time, but seeing how I felt on the last 10k, I was still glad to be sub 3:40 and knew I BQ'd again. I'd like to keep that as a streak.

I was decently consistent though, despite everything:
1 07m 54s 1.00 miles 07m 54s /mile 163 176
2 07m 58s 1.00 miles 07m 58s /mile 171 175
3 08m 02s 1.00 miles 08m 02s /mile 167 173
4 07m 46s 1.00 miles 07m 46s /mile 167 173
5 07m 46s 1.00 miles 07m 46s /mile 162 167
6 07m 59s 1.00 miles 07m 59s /mile 168 172
7 08m 02s 1.00 miles 08m 02s /mile 170 173
8 08m 07s 1.00 miles 08m 07s /mile 172 174
9 08m 15s 1.00 miles 08m 15s /mile 174 177
10 08m 20s 1.00 miles 08m 20s /mile 175 178
11 08m 21s 1.00 miles 08m 21s /mile 178 182
12 07m 52s 1.00 miles 07m 52s /mile 164 170
13 08m 08s 1.00 miles 08m 08s /mile 173 179
14 08m 08s 1.00 miles 08m 08s /mile 174 180
15 08m 07s 1.00 miles 08m 07s /mile 174 177
16 08m 13s 1.00 miles 08m 13s /mile 175 178
17 08m 23s 1.00 miles 08m 23s /mile 177 180
18 08m 12s 1.00 miles 08m 12s /mile 174 178
19 08m 19s 1.00 miles 08m 19s /mile 176 177
20 08m 31s 1.00 miles 08m 31s /mile 176 179
21 08m 28s 1.00 miles 08m 28s /mile 176 178
22 08m 45s 1.00 miles 08m 45s /mile 175 179
23 08m 30s 1.00 miles 08m 30s /mile 176 179
24 08m 56s 1.00 miles 08m 56s /mile 177 180
25 08m 50s 1.00 miles 08m 50s /mile 178 180
26 08m 33s 1.00 miles 08m 33s /mile 178 181
27 04m 20s 0.53 miles 08m 13s /mile 181 185

My training wasn't poor for this race, but it wasn't the best either. I could've used some more tempo runs and some more speed work, and probably a few more long runs. I also know that canted road kicked my REAR. It really threw my muscles out of whack. The heat really didn't bother me as it wasn't nearly what I deal with in Texas. I also had .32 miles farther on my Garmin. It's not that the course is long, it's that they measure it on the "Fastest" approach--but who can actually run the most optimal line? You can't, especially when you have crowds and half-marathoners mixing with marathoners. They should do it down the middle vs. the fastest. 1/3rd of a mile is a good 2.5 minutes of extra running.

But--bottom line is train more, keep dropping some weight, and train more. I don't know if I'll run Boston, but I like having the option. Looking forward to seeing what I can do at the San Antonio Marathon in November. I still averaged faster than my long runs, so that is good too. I am not mad or upset at my time, and wouldn't call it a "bad" day--just not optimal!

I was beat, grabbed and downed some water, got my finisher picture taken, then hobbled over to get my gear bag. Put on some clothes, ate a little bit of food, then went and camped out at the Letter "B" to wait for Blythe. They had some good swing music playing on the stage so that was nice...but the parking lot for the finish area left little "good space" to rest and relax. Not to mention, the food was lacking some in post-race, and I had no money to buy anything. When Blythe got there we made our way to the shuttles to go to the trolley station, but it was a HUGE wait--so we walked the nearly 2 miles to the station--it was probably good active recovery, so that's okay.


Better training-maybe went out too fast, but I don't think so. Canted road for several miles kicked my butt. Running 1/3rd of a mile more than 26.2.


This race was better than some of the other RnR's I've done. The bands, especially on the first half of the course, were much better than other races I've been at that advertise Bands (RnR, Austin). So, that was nice--but there were some "lonely" areas for the marathoners. I disliked merging back with the 1/2 marathoners cause it meant your faster marathoners merging with your much slower 1/2 marathoners--that was not so great considering only "cones" kept us apart (which mean marathoners stayed right, and 1/2 Marathoners went wherever they pleased.) Canted road sucks. They could've used a bit more post-race food and beverage options, and a better location than a giant parking lot. It used to end at a big field at the MCRD, much easier for taking a little recovery break on some grass vs. a nasty parking lot. But, still, an enjoyable race. Not sure if I'd race the full on it again, but maybe the half. I LOVE So-Cal weather and will be glad to live here. I hate Fiesta Island for running, but it'd make for some fun time trialing. :)