California International Marathon - RunMarathon


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Sacramento, California
United States
50F / 10C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 46m 28s
Overall Rank = 1616/4747
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 226/493
Pre-race routine:

PB&J - good long stretch
Event warmup:

There was no warmin up on this COLD morning start! Did some light stretching and huddled with the other runners to stay warm. Bounced on toes a little.
Run
  • 3h 46m 28s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 08m 38s  min/mile
Comments:

Started off comfortably just behind the 3:45 Pace Group, which resulted in a mass cluster at the first aid station. Picked up to just in front of the group and then ended up pacing with the 3:40. After the first potty break at about mile 10 we were a good minute behind the 3:40 group and began pacing for about a 3:42 finish. Felt GREAT at 13.1, which everyone knows is not REALLY the 1/2 mark for a marathon. Started really feeling it around mile 22, and the last 4 were really tough. Got caught and passed by the 3:45 Pace Group (now much smaller) at about mile 25, and just held on for the end. Finished strong for the last 1/4 mile.
What would you do differently?:

Train - this was a long training run for me. As you can see from my training log, however, I was not too serious about this race. The goal on this race was to pace my Brother-in-law for his FIRST marathon - his goal was 3:50 which we shattered. This run hurt more than my 3:09, proving once again that proper preparation for a marathon is crucial not only to performance but how one feels at the end!
Post race
Warm down:

STRETCHED! Walked around a bit at the finish line, then a long walk to the car.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Training

Event comments:

Water tasted lie you were drinking from a pool - very chlorinated. Sports drinks was offered in tiny dixie cups - needed two at each stop to properly hydrate. It was not offered at every stop either. Otherwise this is a great race, on a FAST course, with some great scenery of the Sacramento area.




Last updated: 2007-01-09 12:00 AM
Running
03:46:28 | 26.2 miles | 08m 38s  min/mile
Age Group: 226/493
Overall: 1616/4747
Performance:
Course: Fast - overall Down-hill. Very windy this year - Direct or quartering headwind for most of the race. Temperature was PERFECT.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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