Lehigh Valley Marathon - Run

This was my first marathon, and I had high hopes for running a pretty fast race. However, that was not meant to be, and I faded a lot over the last eight miles.

I started out feeling good and quite optimistic about the day. It was pretty cool (low 60s) and overcast. The humidity was in the 90's, but I hoped the lower temps would offset the humidity.

The first mile had a pretty steep downhill and I was around my target pace range (6:47-6:52). The next four miles had to be changed due to flooding that the area suffered earlier in the week. So, instead of going right to the river and being downhill, there were about four miles of rollers, so I couldn't really get into a rhythm. At the 30 min mark I took a gel at a water station. At mile five we got back to the original route, and began running on 'tow paths,' which were essentially hard packed dirt and cinder trails. At each water aid station (16 total on course) I took a cup of water and Powerade (I missed four cups of powerade, once because I dropped it, and the other two b/c I was taking a gel).

At this point I was averaging a 6:50 pace according to my Garmin, and I was feeling great. I took another gel with water just prior to the hour mark. I was with a pack of a few other runners, and for the next seven miles we continued along the river with a slow descent. At mile 12 I was still averaging in the high 6:40's to low 6:50's. At 1:30 I had three Cliff Bar chews, and had the remaining three at the 2:00 mark). During this time I was talking to another runner, who had run 2:55 the previous year. He was using the race as a training run for an upcoming trail 50K.

Just after mile 12 there was a turn away from the river towards Bethlehem. The course then doubled back on itself, once again picking up the tow path. For another five miles I felt good and continued at the same pace. My time at mile 17 was eight seconds over a 3:00 pace. However, I was feeling that my quads were getting a little tight, which I knew was not a good sign.

By mile 18 I knew that going sub 3:00 probably wasn't happening. That mile was 7:05, and mile 19 was 7:18. From mile 19-22 things went downhill and my quads really tightened up. By mile 22 I was struggling to hold onto a 8:00 pace, but I still thought I could pull out a 3:05. However, things only got worse, and my pace crept up to 8:30. I wouldn't say that I hit a wall - it was actually quite gradual - but my body just started telling me that it was ready to stop. I knew that if I did stop I'd have a hard time getting going again.

By the end I was just hoping to come in under the 3:10 I needed for a BQ. I managed to do this by a hair, but I have a feeling it won't get me in with the new qualification standards.

When I crossed the finish Katie was there waiting for me. It was a slight uphill finish (which I never like!). Nearly immediately after stopping it felt like my entire legs wanted to cramp up. I kept walking for about five minutes, grabbing a bagel, chocolate milk, and eventually resting on the grass for a bit.

I felt that I had taken in proper nutrition (400 cal from gels and chews and 12 total half cups of powerade throughout the race), so I was optimistic that I would not slow down dramatically for the last portion of the race.

As this was my first marathon, I was probably shooting for a time that I didn't really deserve. I wasn't solely training for the marathon, and that definitely was one thing that led to me severely slowing at the end.

For my next marathon I will probably solely concentrate on running. I know that I'd definitely do better if that was the case. I also think that I'd aim for higher mileage. My peak mileage was 73 miles, and my average was in the 50-60 mile range.

I walked around with Katie before getting some food and hydration. Then we boarded a bus to take us back to start of the half where Katie had parked the car.


Minimal mileage for running a marathon and it being my first time. I'll have to look at my nutrition as well, if that led to my slowing. I didn't have any issues at all with my stomach, my legs simply didn't want to go as far as I wanted to go.


This was a very well run race, and the RD had to deal with severe flooding and damage from Hurricane Irene in the lead-up to the race. Things went completely flawlessly, and the course was very nice.

On the bus back to get our car another runner asked if I had fun. I paused for a bit before saying it was a good experience, but those last few miles were definitely a struggle. That being said, I'm already looking forward to my next marathon, with the goal of holding a solid pace throughout the race. Last September I struggled through a half marathon, finishing in 1:36, so I've definitely made some progress since then.