Whidbey Island Marathon - RunMarathon

Had thought about this event early in the year, but, right after finishing Yakima RCM, told my wife, I wasn't doing it. Two days later, got online and registered for it. Temptation of doing Marathons in back to back weekends was pretty strong.

Plan was to take it easy and not stress pace or time to just finish. Of course when the horn goes off, went out at a comfortable pace in the mid 9s. Was carrying a water bottle filled with NUUN. Wanted to stay away from having crampy feeling like last weekend. Except the bottle leaked as the water sloshed around with each step. Not sticky though (good thing).

Mile 6-8 is an uphill grind that slowed my time down and put the first serious crimp in the body. But got back into a mid 9's pace till about 13 miles. Body was just doing the natural slowdown and adjusting to the wear and tear.

Once we got near Oak Harbor HS stadium (finish and start for the Half) had to go up a half mile hill and on the opposite side the Half Mary, runners and walkers were going down the hill toward the finish. Mental gymnastics had to be done to get motivation going for the last 9 miles. And it started to rain alittle. Pavement was slippery, and made my shuffle more like a slide (think it helped with less pounding on feet). Had a couple long gradual climbs and my speed had really slacked off. Just had no pep. Kept catching Half Mary Walkers, not that was much of a stimulation.

Main mantra was not to walk, only at the aid stations to get water drunk and eat gels/pretzels. The last mile was another gradual climb with a quick downhill and 3/4 of a lap around the track. Saw the wife at the entry way to the stadium and said "sorry I took so Long".

Ok so now I'm on the track and these Half Mary Walkers decide that they need to show off to their families in the stands and around the track (these are walkers not runners) so they are picking up there pace like it's the olympics. So I'm thinking no way I'm going to finish (walkers and runners cross the same timing mat) so I dig down pull around these neophytes and put some distance between me and them....


Weight on morning wake up was 219....Oh to run at around 205 again.
My half time was around 2:09 and I was ok with that, since there are a couple climbs at the beginning. Long training runs would help stop the collapse around mile 16+

Grabbed a banana and some water, if there was much else, it was probably pilfered by all the half marathoners. Walked about a half mile back to the truck.


Weight, training, and a marathon the week before.


I'm getting bored with expos and pre and post race stuff. All I saw was Bananas, water and another table had wheat rolls and a box of oatmeal package with no more hot water in the container. In years past they had all kinds of Natures Path goodies and bags to put it in (that was when I did the Half in 06)(don't remember the full in 05).

Just happy to say that I've done two marathons on back to back weekends. Another challenge checked off the list.