Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon - RunMarathon


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Minneapolis, Minnesota
United States
Medtronic
55F / 13C
Sunny
Total Time = 4h 09m 26s
Overall Rank = 3818/8212
Age Group = F35-39
Age Group Rank = 198/532
Pre-race routine:

Got to MN on Thursday night. Drove the course on Friday morning and then did the expo in the afternoon. Gopher game on Saturday and then pasta dinner at Judy's house on Saturday evening. Mom and my aunts made lots of signs!

Slept OK from ~10pm-2:30am. Got up to use the bathroom and slept fitfully after that. Had a dream that this was a triathlon and that I didn't know what lake it started at!

Got up ~6:15am; Had a whole wheat bagel with some peanut butter and a glass of caffeinated Crystal light. Judy and my parents drove me to the metrodome and let me out right about 7am. I almost left my Garmin in the car, but mom found it before the light changed and handed it out the window.
Event warmup:

Not much - Walked around metrodome a little. Little tip - go downstairs - no lines at all for the womens' restrooms (mens' were another story!). Went out to corral at ~7:30am. Found the 3:50 pacers and talked briefly with them and the others in the group. Tossed long sleeve t-shirt before the start, but kept the gloves
Run
  • 4h 09m 26s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 09m 31s  min/mile
Comments:

This was my first marathon, so I didn't really know what to expect. I thought I had an outside chance at a BQ so I started with the 3:50 pace group. However, they went out like jackrabbits (my first two splits were 8:17 and 8:07 and I had lost them by the first water stop at ~mile 2.5). Tossed gloves just before first water stop. I knew by about mile 5 that I had gone out WAY too fast and that I wasn't going to end up anywhere near 3:50. The unofficial 3:45 pace group passed me at about mile 5. I tried my best to enjoy the crowds and the scenery. I had a minor meltdown when I launched my Garmin off behind me while trying to remove my arm warmers. I was also not prepared for how emotional the whole experience was. I saw my family at miles 9, 15, 21, and ~23. Miles 15-20 were the toughest mentally. The 4:00 pace group passed me at ~mile 18. I tried to hang with them, but could only do it for about a 1/4 of a mile or less. The Summit Ave climb was longer than I had anticipated - it really climbs for ~4 miles, not super steep, but at mile 21-25 of a marathon any hill seems steep. The downhill finish was incredible (I felt like I was flying, though I'm sure I was NOT).
What would you do differently?:

Either pace myself or go out with the 4:00 pace group. Be prepared to do my own thing sooner if the pace group goes out too fast. Definitely went out WAY too fast.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked to volunteer handing out medal (having a hard time catching my breath). Got a bottle of water and then a banana. Got a bag of chips and then spotted Eric and the rest of the family on the other side of the fence. Went over, talked to them, got hugs, and took some pictures. Left the chips with them and went to get rolls and chicken broth (broth was good - rolls were not what I wanted right then!). Got my shirt and then stood in line to get my picture taken with my medal. Then spotted Chad (and Eric spotted me) and went to meet the rest of the family on the lawn in front of the capitol. Took some more pictures and then headed to the car.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I think I was adequately trained and the weather was spectacular, but I made the rookie mistake of going out too fast. Even though I was well off my 3:50 pie-in-the-sky goal, I was pleased with my time and effort and proud to finish my first marathon. I was ahead of mid-pack overall and in my age group. For overall women, I finished 1132/3394 (not too shabby for a first timer).

Event comments:

This is a fantastic race and is extremely well-organized. I think I am spoiled now. There didn't seem to be a single step of this course that didn't have spectators. In many places the spectators were lining both sides of the road. The signs were funny and inspiring. The volunteers were plentiful and fantastic.




Last updated: 2010-07-20 12:00 AM
Running
04:09:26 | 26.2 miles | 09m 31s  min/mile
Age Group: 198/532
Overall: 3818/8212
Performance: Good
Course: The course was beautiful. I think it was probably net uphill though. Seemed to be some rollers around the lakes and along Minnehaha. Steepest climb was away from the river toward Summit. Summit Ave is a LONG (though not super steep) climb. Downhill finish is nice!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5