The start goes and I am almost immediately across the start line and running. I am feeling great at this point but really trying to hold back and fall into a groove. Then, I passed the first mile and took stock of how I felt. I was feeling great and very happy to be running a race. My plan at this point was to just run a strong race and see if I could at least do as well as I did last year.

I was going to run by feel and not focus on micro-managing my pace. For this race, I was going to capture 5k split times on my Garmin but not really pay much attention to it. I figured capturing average pace over 3.1 miles instead of 1 mile would smooth out some of the pace variations and save at least a bit of mental energy.


First 5k Split: 22:57 (7:24 Pace)

As we wind our way through the hamlet of Oracle, I am feeling great and there are actually a few spectators out on the course. It's cool to see folks out there drinking coffee and cheering us all on. About this point, I decide to shed my gloves and figure it's better to pull them off before I get too warm. (Better to be a bit too cool then a bit too warm) I am happy with my splits for the first 5k and am feeling like this pace is pretty easy and we are not even yet to the big downhill sections of Hwy 77 yet.


Second 5k Split: 22:18 (7:12 Pace)

Still feeling happy with my splits and the pace is very comfortable. I am starting to get itchy and want to get the show on the road but know I just need to be patient if I am going to run a good race today. Struggling early can really hurt me later in the day; just need to run my race. I am now running with the 3:30 Pace group and I get around them and they slowly fade into the crowd behind me.


Third 5k Split: 20:53 (6:44 Pace)

At about mile 7 we get out on Hwy 77 and the downhill running begins in earnest. I work on picking up the pace and trying to find my groove without working too hard but not slacking off either. From what I remember of last year, 7-10 miles is where I need to take full advantage of the donwhill.

As my pace increases, I start passing a lot of folks and then I am past the 3:20 pace group. I manage to find a good downhill pace that is somewhere between 7:00 and 6:40 depending on the slope of the road. At about mile 9 I pass the 3:10 Pace group and now I am officially in the front part of this race. (This is the fastest Pace Group in the race)


Fourth 5k Split: 22:53 (7:23 Pace)

At mile 10 we make a turn off of Hwy 77 and toward the Biosphere. This was added to the course last year and is the most technical part of the course. It is 3.5 miles of rolling hills and as I remembered from the previous year, this is where I could really screw up my race if I am not careful. (These hills will eat me up by the half point)

As we start running down the road, I notice that no one is coming back the other way yet and only after about a mile or so, I see the lead runner go past me the other way. Then I start looking for Sam; This is right where I saw him and JVal last year and I am expecting him to be along shortly. Then I see him and he does not look too happy but he still seems to be on pace for a good day.


Fifth 5k Split: 21:46 (7:01 Pace)

As I pass the Half Way Point, I notice that I am at 1:34:36 which would be a PR for the Half Marathon by about a minute and I am really going to have to work hard for an even split later in the day.

Then we are back out on Hwy 77 and charging down the hill again. After about a mile, I notice that my quads are starting to get sore and I know it is a bit early for this. I remembered that picking up the pace for a bit would probably help and it did seem to. (Increased blood flow to the muscles???)

Somewhere on the way back from the Biosphere, the 3:10 pace group had passed me and now I can see them about 200 yards in front of me. But according to the Garmin, they are about 3 minutes ahead of schedule. I also see Sam up in front of me and he is getting closer. One thing I realized it takes a lot longer to pass folks in the front end of the field. I guess the differences in our paces is not as pronounced and so it takes a lot longer to pass.

Then I get to Sam and we chat a bit and I assured him that the 3:10 pace group was about 3 minutes ahead of schedule. I really hoped that Sam would follow me in and overtake me later in the day.


Sixth 5k Split: 22:01 (7:06 Pace)

Still running downhill and my quads are really starting to feel wonky. I try several times to increase the pace for a bit and it does help for a short time. My feet are starting to hurt also and I remembered a lesson from last year, "Don't Run on the Rumble Strips" in the road.

I have been taking a Gel every 5 miles and I am still feeling pretty good in terms of nutrition. I am also feeling pretty hydrated and cool and so my list of complaints seems to be pretty minor. Some muscle soreness that is expected and as usual, my feet. But hey, I am in the middle of some very pretty desert and the view from here is spectacular.

As we wind down into the town of Catalina, I am feeling pretty good.

Seventh 5k Split 22:17 (7:11 Pace)

As we wind down toward Catalina, I am mostly on auto-pilot and tickled with how things have gone up to this point. I am just trying to maintain a smooth and even pace and continue to pick off runners up ahead. This was not as easy as it has been in the past and I only saw one runner actually drop back and walk. The rest, I had to really work for it.

Eighth 5k Split 23:53 (7:42 Pace)

This is where I think the course gets to be really tough. There are a few false flats that are not at all steep but I have been running right on edge for a while now and I have to keep my effort in check as I know the last 2 miles are the toughest of the course. My general pace does not slow, but the average overe this stretch does because I am starting to really struggle with the uphill sections.

The end of this split is a ramp leading behind a market and then another ramp followed by a 1/2 mile climb through a residential neighborhood. I did notice that no one is passing me and I am still passing other folks so I am not the only one suffering here.

Last 1.46 Split 11:23 (7:48 Pace)

I was pretty gassed over this section and struggling but I know I have a healthy PR in the bag. I hear footsteps behind me and I turn around to see a whole pace line of folks running behind me (And the 3:10 Pace Group) just behind them. I move to the side but no one is interested in moving up so I just keep the caddie moving along and look for the point where I can make my final kick.

As we make the final turn toward the finish, (About 100 yards to go) one of the runners behind me makes a move and I am not gonna let that happen so I charge into the finish with a final kick chanting "I am Going to Boston, I am going to Boston" again and again. Like last year, the Crowd goes nuts when they hear this and it felt great to finish strong.

Grab some food and some hydration and waddle around a bit. My quads are very sore and very quickly tighten up so I decide to head over to the massage tent and put my name on the list. Then I wander back to the finish line just in time to see Sam come in and I am very happy to see him finish. We chat a bit about the race and then I headed back over for my massage.

After an hour, I finally get called in and lay down on the table. Unfortunately, I am shivering cold and wearing every bit of clothing I had in my drop bag . She tries to warm me up with a thick blanket and some gentle massage but I am still shivering uncontrollably. She asks if this is my first Marathon and I tell her no and that post-race hypothermia is pretty normal for me.

Then the EMT shows up and escorts me to the med tent. (I guess they called the EMT guys when they could not warm me up) After a few minutes of chatting with the doc, she said I am very alert and lucid so I am fine. She does listen to my heart for any irregularity and finds none, and sends me on my way instructing me to find someplace warm and drink something hot.

Then I run into FieroDan and it sounded like he had a great race. (See his race report) I am stoked to see he finished his first marathon :)

I got my car, cranked the heat full blast and then to the hotel for a very long hot shower and then a long drive home.

Final Stats

OK, so here is my current list of PR Times going into this race:

5k: 21:45 (POWC, 2007)
10k: 44:40 (Santa Monica, 2006)
HM: 1:35:28 (Surf City, 2007)
Marathon: 3:20:34 (Tucson, 2007)

Final Chip Time: 3:10:27
OA Place 61/1004, AG 11/110
PLP: 68.24%

1). I ran a 1:15 Positive Split (Which according to Jim, is within the 1% to be considered Even)
2). Two of my 5k splits were as fast or faster then my 5k PR. (And a few others were just a couple of seconds off)
3). Two of my 10k Splits were faster than my 10k PR
4). The first half would have been a PR for the HM and the second half would have been just a few seconds short.

5). This was a PR by 10:07
6). This was a CR for Tucson
7). This was a BQ good for 2010 (I Qualified for Boston '09 with last year's time)
8). Best of all, this improves my corral position for both '09 and '10. (I Sent in my update last night)

9). This was my 9th Open Marathon (LB was #8)
10). This was my 11th Race at this Distance
11). I ran the whole race hard without stopping once. (Not even to go to the loo)
12). I got to hang out with some cool forum folks IRL; before, during and after the race.

Overall, I am so stoked with the results of this race. This was by far one of my favorites both in terms of the course and my performance. (Tucson 07 and San Francisco 06 are right at the top of the list with this race)

Overall, I think the idea of running a series of races continues to work well for me although I would have preferred to run another race this Fall. With an opening time of 3:37:55 and a final time of 3:10:27 for the series, it would seem that I progressed well in spite of very light training in the 8 weeks between the two races.

This race was a great finale for my Fall Marathon Season :)

Special Thanks

Thanks to everyone here on the marathon forums, not only for teaching me how to run, but also for showing me that my grasp can and often will exceed my imagination. And also thanks to Watergirl for your support and also for your inpsiration and courage finishing your first marathon (Nike Women's) last month.


Overall Run Fitness

I think that for this day, this course and these conditions, this was a very optimal race and I am tickled with the results. If I would have been able to add another Fall Race, I bet I could get pretty close to Sub-3.


This is such a cool race on a fabulous course and with great organization. I am so sad that they will be changing the course and the date next year and I won't be able to return. (It conflicts with IMAZ next year)

I will always have fond memories of the two Tucson Marathons I have run :)