P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon - RunMarathon

Overall, I would have to say I'm very pleased. The first 10 miles were a breeze, just silly easy. I was holding way back to go 7:45 pace for the first 10, but I knew not to go too hard too early. Hit the half point at about 7:47 pace, so a bit faster than goal time but within the margin of error.

Second ten was pretty decent, started getting pretty hard toward 20. At that point, everything just started to feel heavy, and the pace was difficult to hold. My nutrition plan was holding up well (1 gel/3 miles), until mile 19, where the morons had opened the gels for us. I was counting on grabbing 2 or 3 and throwing them in my pocket, but I tossed them aside instead. I had eaten one at 18 and knew my stomach would be screwed if I took another one that quickly. Sooooo, that was the only hitch.

That little hitch kind of came back to haunt me though. I was struggling a little after about 22, and when I hit mile 24 I started to see spots. Just little dots of light in the middle of my vision, which I attribute to the fuel plan falling apart after mile 18. So basically by mile 24 I was two gels behind the plan, and I started to feel it in my head. But at that point I was so close to the finish that I just told myself I didn't need to see, I just needed to push the legs.

Last couple were ridiculously painful, and then the sweet, sweet, sweet, lovely, gorgeous finish line came into sight, and I have never been happier to be finished. But really, the suffering at the end was totally expected, and no worse than what I had heard or prepared myself for, so that was manageable.

Carry more gels. I had one more in my bag that I left behind because I had a plan to grab a couple at 19. In the future I'll know that Helpy Helperton and crew think that opening a gel takes special dexterity skills that runners don't have, and just carry my own.

Shuffle through the finish area to get my pic taken, get my finishers medal, horde food like a refugee, and get my warm clothes back on.

Headed straight for the hotel where I stretched, stuffed my face with anything I could find, and sat in a 15 minute ice bath. I feel pretty tired, but about like I usually feel after a long run, so I have high hopes for quick recovery.


Training, ability, possibly fuel at the end (though I didn't really bonk, I don't think, I just suffered a little extra). For a first marathon, I'm very happy and really not going to pick this one apart.


These events are run like well oiled machines. I was amazed at their efficiency in getting 30,000 people to the start line, seemingly without a hitch. The course was great, perfect for my first, and I would consider coming back here to try and qualify for Boston. The weather was a little cooler than perfect, but not bad.

Thanks to Julia (juliapurr) and her sis for dragging my ass around all weekend. Her sister kicked ass in the half, and it looks like Julia might have BQ'd. Anyway, it was nice to have company and saved me a rental car fee.