Myrtle Beach Marathon - RunMarathon


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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
United States
Myrtle Beach Marathon
50F / 10C
Precipitation
Total Time = 4h 04m 48s
Overall Rank = 555/1607
Age Group = F45-40
Age Group Rank = 12/85
Pre-race routine:

On Friday, we dropped Emma off with the pet sitter and drove down to Myrtle Beach to check in at the expo. That was followed by a pre-race meal at Mellow Mushroom. I set out my gear and my pre-race meal and set the alarm for 5:00.
Event warmup:

I got up, age a bagel with peanut butter and had a banana with it. Stretched. Drank some a bottle of water. Checked the weather. Yup, raining. Windy too (sustained wind at 18, off shore gale warning).

We were at the Hampton Inn at Broadway at the Beach which is about a five minute walk to the start. I went to the hotel lobby and hung around with other runners. While we were waiting, we were able to acquire trash bags from the hotel and we made ponchos out of them. At about 6:05 I walked across the parking lot to the run start area ahead of the 6:30 start. My shoes were soaked by the time that I got to the bag check. I checked a small bag (gloves that I decided not to wear, hotel room key), made one last trip to the port-o-pot and lined up in time for the national anthem.
Run
  • 4h 04m 48s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 09m 20s  min/mile
Comments:

I had a stretch goal in mind and, based on my training, I lined up with that group. I stuck with them fine until we got to the airport about five miles into the run. I suspect that was the first time that we were fully exposed to the wind. About this time I lost my hat. Someone behind me picked up up and handed it to me. I carried it most of the time after that, until I finally lost it.

The first 10k was good and I enjoyed running on Ocean Boulevard for a while. Then I started to think that we were never going to get off Ocean Boulevard. In fact, the course is along Ocean Boulevard from about 7.5 to 17. Some if it is by hotels and ferris wheels and stuff. That part is kind of fun.

Around mile 10 my hat blew off again. All gone hat.

I was really happy to see Grand Dunes. I knew that was the furthest north the course went and that we'd be heading back to the finish after that. Also, there were a lot more people there as well as live music and a DJ. It was so windy that it was hard to hear the music though. I had a few moments of feeling down in there too. I checked my watch at mile 18 and I knew that it would be really hard to hit my goals. Also, we were straight into the wind at this point.

When I got to mile 20, I was starting to feel like Id have to feel like I'd have to grit it out. Just keep going. I remembered the church group 65th. They'd be good for a pick-me-up. Oh no. More headwind. Not much farther and we'd be on the greenway. Four miles to go. Thighs are very heavy. Keep moving forward. 5k to go. Keep moving. I can see Broadway at the Beach. I can see Pelican's stadium. The finish is just around the corner! Remember to raise your arms when you cross the line. Done!

I had water every time that it was offered and I carried four Gus with me to have at 5-10-15-20.
What would you do differently?:

When I saw the weather conditions did not support my stretch goal, I should have gone with plan B. I had spent the previous week convincing myself that I could make that goal and I didn't seriously consider changing my race plan when the conditions were sub par.
Post race
Warm down:

Medal. Photo. Find Kevin. Food. I went to find Kevin because I wanted to buy a t-shirt that I saw at the expo. I was sidetracked when I saw and elephant!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Wind. There was an off shore gale warning the morning of the race and the airport reported gusts of up to 36 mph.

Event comments:

This was my second time running the Myrtle Beach Marathon. It's a great event that is very well organized and well supported by the community. I'd definitely do this race again!


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Last updated: 2013-09-25 12:00 AM
Running
04:04:48 | 26.2 miles | 09m 20s  min/mile
Age Group: 12/85
Overall: 555/1607
Performance: Average
Course:
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4