P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon - RunMarathon

Goals for this race:
#1 BOSTON QUALIFY
#2 Beat 3:07:30 (Bobby's time), Dean, and my arch nemesis, Karleen
#3 Stick to my coach's race strategy

I had the mindset going into this race that it was either Boston or bust. I knew it wouldn't be easy by any means, but I felt I trained well for this and I had confidence that I'd get my sub 3:10. I was playing a lot of head games with myself prior to the race because my open marathon PR was only 3:45. I met with Nick, my coach, Wednesday before the race and he made me realize I'm a totally different athlete now. I race much smarter now, and every single workout in my training has a purpose. I've started to notice some improvements in my race times and I couldn't be more pleased having him as a coach.

Race day came quick and I was definitely nervous race morning. The night before, I laid in bed and visualized my entire race. I pictured myself crossing the finish line in 3:07 and imagined how happy I'd be. This sounds cheesy, but this visualizing thing really works..

The race...

Miles 1 to 10k: Went by very quick. I was lined up in the middle of Corral 1. I stayed with the 3:10 pacer for most of the race. Although this pacer was a great runner, he was really into "banking" time. This upset/annoyed many people shooting for Boston as he consistently stuck to 7 minute miles until the very end of the race. Throughout these first few miles, there was a huge group with the pacer but this number slowly dwindled down. There were only five of us at the end with him.

10k: 43:48

Miles 7-13.1: I felt good. After mile 8 Nick wanted me to increase my HR to near threshold (172). I did this, increased my pace to sub 7 min miles but then hit a few rough patches so eased off a bit, as I was still way under 7:15 min miles (this pace I needed to qualify). Nick told me to ease off if I started to feel bad. I stuck to 168bpm for most of the race and that seemed to work well for me; never comfortable, but the discomfort was tolerable.

Half mary: 1:31:38

13.1 - 17: I knew I'd experience some bad patches in this marathon. Mile 16-17 I felt horrible. I felt like I had no energy, my legs felt really fatigued, and I felt dehydrated. I eased off to 7:15 miles and eventually snapped out of it. One thing Nick has really emphasized in long course racing is that you're guaranteed to reach some low points in a race; he tells me to just run through it and the pain/discomfort will eventually subside. I took in a gel at mile 16 and I eventually felt better.

18-20: Snapped out of the pain cave, and was back to running just over 7 min miles. I was feeling good at this point, but I knew I still had a 10k to go.

20 mile: 2:21:07

21-26: When it's game, it's pain time. I was looking forward to this point of the race. I knew it was the point where everyone starts to fade. I saw many people start to walk, cramp up, grimace in pain... THIS is where the real race begins. My pace slowed a little, but I made many passes. I really notices the very slight inclines throughout this last 10k. However, I was well prepared for the small hill between Mckellips and the 202 highway on Hayden. My pace slowed to 7:22 on this last section but I knew my Boston goal was soon going to be a reality.

26-26.2: The final stretch down University felt awesome. The 3:10 pacer was very encouraging and gave some great tips throughout the race. He was very motivating. I finished the last quarter mile with only a few people around me, which was much different in prior years when I finished with huge herds of people. I hugged it out with my pacer as soon as we crossed the line.

I gave this race everything I had; I stuck to my race/nutrition strategy and met all my goals. All those long runs with the last few miles at ATHR really paid off! Finishing seeing a sub 3:10 on the race clock was better than any of my Ironman finishes. It will definitely be a moment I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

Mile splits/hr
1: 6:58/152bpm
2: 6:56/162
3: 7:03/165
4: 7:06/166
5: 7:01/166
6: 7:02/167
7: 7:01/166
8: 6:52/170
9: 6:52/169
10: 7:09/166
11: 7:10/166
12: 6:52/165
13: 6:44/167
14 7:03/166
15: 7:05/166
16: 7:13/165
17: 7:15/165
18: 7:09/165
19: 7:02/164
20: 7:12/165
21: 7:13/164
22: 7:12/165
23: 7:14/167
24: 7:22/167
25: 7:26/165
26: 7:18/167
0.2: 6:40/168


Course:
292 ft climbing


HR/Elevation:



Absolutely nothing, I felt I stuck to my race strategy and raced to the best of my abilities.

Saw Dean and Karleen finish just behind me. Also met up with Chad and the gang as soon as I finished (thanks for spectating).

Talked with my Durapulse teammates, Lisa, Kim, and others after the race as I limped around. Everyone had great races. Congrats to Dean on the BQ and to everyone who set PRs.


P.S. I was chicked 22 times.