BayState Marathon - RunMarathon

Pleased with the run for the most part. This is the longest/furthest I have ever run, so I kept telling myself to SLOW DOWN! My goal was to run pretty even 7:14's or so which would get me in at 3:10 with five minutes to spare for my BQ time. Well, as a first timer, it is really HARD to not get carried away with the pace! My first six miles were all sub-7's even though I kept telling myself to slow down. I crossed the bridge at the halfway point with another runner, and joked with him that we were on the home stretch now! Someone on the side of the road said we looked great - laughing and joking and all.. And I did feel pretty good...I looked at my watch and it was right at 1:30. Right on pace for a 3 hr Mary!?!?! I hadn't even been considering a sub 3 until I hit that spot. SO, I made myself a deal that if I could just maintain my pace up until mile 20, I could then think about how to finish up. The last thing I wanted to do was overextend myself in the teens, and walk the twenties. I've heard of too many people doing just that. So, I did. Miles 7-18 were all within 9 seconds of 7 minutes per mile. By mile 19-7:14, I was starting to work a bit more, and realising that I really needed to contain myself if I was going to finish strong. Mile twenty was 7:15, and was mentally pulling back to prepare for a strong finish. Miles 21 and 22, I picked it back up a tad to get back to 7's but started to realize that my finish was not going to be quite what I was hoping for. My hips were getting really tight, and my calves were tightening up. I started to really worry about my calves in mile 23, and even stopped at the 23 marker to stretch as my right calf completely cramped. I ended up stopping to stretch my calves 3 more times over the last few miles as they were cramping badly. I lost of few spots to guys that were coming up behind me, but I really wasn't worried about my placing - just getting in under my time goal. So I hobbled in the last couple miles with my calves threatening to seize wih every step. 7:20, 7:33 and 7:33 for my last 3 miles. I pride myself on always finishing at a sprint - leaving everything out there. But it was not to be Sunday, as every time I did anything but lurch forward, my calves tightened to the cramping point. It was a welcome sight to see the stadium! Coming around the last corner, I heard a bunch of cheering, and although I didn't recognize my name, a voice in the crowd stuck out, which turned out to be my sister in law with my neice and nephew! Awesome suprise to see them there! Then, they ran in from the outside of the stadium to see me finish on inside the ballpark. Very cool!!

I actually had electrolytes tablets in my bag, but didn't bother to bring them with me. I figured it was cool enough it wouldn't matter. As Celb Ithil and Type A Girl Pilot were kind enough to point out, my face was COVERED with salt when I finished, so lesson learned - Bring salt!
I sensed my pending calf issues, and tried to grab as much gatorade as I could, but it wasn't enough. I took water and/or gatorade at every station.

Hung out with CI and TAGP for a while. They were a lot of fun to chill with post-race. Walked (limped) back to the garage to get the car. I was so glad I wasn't driving! My legs have never felt that way before!?!


The cramps were a limiter, for sure. Other than that, my training wasn't ideal as I "crammed" in some long runs in the last couple weeks after a bike-centric summer, and a half ironaman build, race, and recovery. Plus two+ weeks with a flu while I was supposed to be building for this race. I was seriously considering not even attempting this race back in mid September after a couple of weeks of being sick.


Excellent race. VERY well run and organized. Fantastic volunteers at the water stations, and everywhere! I don't know how these races get so many fantastic people out there to help out! I'm always amazed! I remember the spread at the end of the half last year (same race - but the 1/2) being much better. Just soup, bananas, oranges, and rolls this year. Not complaining at all but, remember it as more lavish last year. I'm pretty sure that last year they also had more hoopla at the finish line - they used the big screen of the ballpark and a camera to show people finishing, and announcing names etc... This year, just some music. Again, not complaining.... :-) I didn't stick around for the awards ceremony.