Shamrock Marathon - RunMarathon

Kevin, Paula, Donna and I all started in the same corral. Plan was to run a few mile together and branch off when we were feeling good. Paula and Donna started out way to fast for me so Kevin and I stayed back a bit. Really had hoped to try and stay with a 930 pace. Felt really great for the first few miles and the pace was faster than that. Training runs all had been either walk 1 min after a mile, or when I was running with my other friend, we would do a 1/2 mile then walk 1 min. Felt so good that we did a 2 mile 1 min for the first 8-10 miles. After that I really needed the 1 mile walk break. After the first 2 miles I never saw Paula again except when she was running back up Gen Booth after the turn around.

I was feeling great and was really hoping that I could push myself and keep a pace that Kevin would be happy with. At the half I had looked at the time and realized that it was as fast as my fastest half mary. Was worrying that I would not be able to hold that pace for the second half and I was right.I believe that somewhere past the half point we passed MAria and she was really hurting. We stopped and walked with her to try and cheer her up but she told us to go on because she was doubting that she was going to be able to finish. My heart ached for her. I knew exactly how she was feeling! A year ago I had to make the same decision. I was not going to injure myself badly before my IM training was to start.

At mile 15 the front of my hips really started to ache. Not terrible but enought that I had told Kevin to go ahead without me. I didnt want his first marathon to be my slow ass time. He is a much faster runner. He left at 16 and I was relieved. That way I could walk more if I needed. I started going to a half mile and min walk which did relieve my pain. Fort Story run was very boring and HOT. Once I got out to Atlantic again tried to pick up the pace and hips didnt agree. Finish on the boardwalk was nice and was able to cross the line by myself. Was nice to have my daughter and Mom at the finish. Kevin had crossed the line about 12 min ahead of me and I couldnt find him. He walked to the car to get his phone.

I felt so great at the beginning of the race and the pace was much faster than my training. I should have taken it back a notch and left some in the tank for the end. Then during my training we always did a 1 mile run with min walk break. Pushed it the first 8-10 miles and did a 2:1. Need to stick to my plan and not let anyone talk me into anything else.

Legs were killing me at the end so I had to sit down and stretch. Took my shoes off and let the cold sand stretch my feet out. Felt so good!! Met up with Donna and found out she had gone to the med tent for some ice. She was having pain on her knee. Kevin finally showed up then we went to get some BEER!!!


The only limit to my race was me!! I was not good about cross training during the training and only ran 3 days per week. Starting out fast. Then not sticking to my training plan for race day. No matter how good I feel I need to stick with my plan!


I am glad that I have my first stand alone marathon done. Not to sure if I will do another. I really dont enjoy marathon training because running is my least favorite. I was really hoping to beat my IM marathon time by an hour, 49 min isnt to bad. So happy that Kevin did this race with me and got to do his first marathon.