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


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Phoenix, Arizona
United States
55F / 13C
Sunny
Total Time = 3h 07m 34s
Overall Rank = 180/562
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 28/439
Pre-race routine:

I wasn't planning on racing another full marathon till later in 2011 but was suggested that we try to qualify for Boston here. It doesn't take much arm twisting to sign up a race. I was confident that someday I would try to qualify but not this quickly and wouldn't start training for this until after Silverman 1/2 in November.

The next decision was what pace to train to for the race. I needed a 3:15 to qualify but Elliot needed a 3:10. My PR for the marathon was around 3:40 and if I remember correctly it didn't feel all that good doing that. My two goals for this race were first not to get injured and second to qualify.

I have to pause for a moment and give credit to Elliot for being a positive influence in my motivation to try harder and go for a sub 3:10 when there was an easier option. Thanks again!
Event warmup:

We woke up at 4:00 and ate a bagel and egg. Took the shuttle down to the Warm Zone for pre-race relaxing. Relaxing a bit before the race made a big difference in minimizing the pre-race jitters.
Run
  • 3h 07m 34s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 07m 10s  min/mile
Comments:

I staged myself in near the back of coral 1. I saw Ryan and wished him and Elliot a good race and readied myself for some fun. My one promise I made myself was to just relax and stay on pace for the first half of the race and don't be stupid. Sometimes that's not easy but I had my 7:14 /mile pace chart to keep me honest.

In the first mile I see Kevin who owns and flies the Wendy's hot air balloon. I waved and said hi but doubt he could hear me.

I was cruising up 7th avenue and by mile three or four I see the 3:10 pacer run by and was briefly in fear of already falling behind. A look at my watch and it says I'm fine and I hear the people in his pack mumbling and complaining. I guess so since he was running a 7:00 min/mile. I was a little stunned that he would be doing that knowing so many people are relying on him to set a solid pace. It didn't take long for him to be out of sight.

I still had my watch and it kept flashing don't be an idiot. I was a bit surprised that my HR stayed as low as it did. I stayed below 160 until mile 16. The cheerleaders and race supporters were fun and tried to high five them when I got a chance. I took two gels during the race and needed the third but my stomach wasn't happy and I had let it go. I had no problem hydrating since I brought my own bottle. My toughest time was running East along Indian School. I couldn't find a rhythm and the little packs were well separated.

I knew my brother and mom were going to be somewhere around mile 19 and got excited looking for them. I found them in enough time to stop and give my mom a hug. By this time I knew I should be able to pull off a sub 3:10 and I know how much it means to her.

Running down Scottsdale Rd. I see Ryan and he's not looking happy. I try to say something inspirational and fail miserably. I need to learn this skill.

The rest of the race went smooth. My plan to pick up the pace the last 10k didn't work like I wanted. I just managed to hold pace and gut it out. My HR stayed low but couldn't afford to go any faster since my stomach was so upset. Every time I dipped into a sub 7:00 I could feel the stomach cramping. So I figured I would stay on cruise control and at least finish without blowing up so close to the end.
What would you do differently?:

Can't think of anything since I did better than I had hoped for.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around a bit and chatted with Chad and family who was nice enough to come out and cheer everyone on. Then wondered down and found Kim who PR her half marathon time with a 1:59:58!






Last updated: 2010-11-02 12:00 AM
Running
03:07:34 | 26.2 miles | 07m 10s  min/mile
Age Group: 28/439
Overall: 562/562
Performance: Good
Course:
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2011-01-20 9:49 AM

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Regular
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Tempe
Subject: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon


2011-01-20 10:13 AM
in reply to: #3310884

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Expert
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Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon
i'm interested to know what you said to ryan.  i'm not good with inspirational talks during races either.  i would have aid station bombed him... (j/k)

great race. i knew we'd qualify. now we have to try to get in the sub 3 club!
2011-01-20 10:40 AM
in reply to: #3310884

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Master
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Chandler, Arizona
Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon

Congrats again Dean on the BQ!

My marathon PR is 3:40 as well and seeing your training over the past year or so have given me a lot of motivation to go for a BQ in the future. To go from 3:40 to sub 3:10 is just amazing!

2011-01-20 1:44 PM
in reply to: #3310884

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Master
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Surprise, Arizona
Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon

Congratulations!!  Way to perfectly execute a great plan.  Have a great time in Boston!!!

2011-01-20 6:10 PM
in reply to: #3310884

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Master
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Goodyear, AZ
Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon

Great job Dean, and so well deserved! It must have been nice to have friends and family out there!

Congrats on the BQ!

2011-01-20 10:58 PM
in reply to: #3310884

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New user
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Glendale
Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon
Nice race report, love how dependable your Mom and Brother seem to be, very cool and unreal that you stopped and hugged your Mom, unreal-cool and just unreal, very impressive.   Fantastic race, fantastic mental execution and gutting it out at the end of a marathon is what it's all about -- I've only done 4, but in every one I've had that same desire, to really make my muscles hurt at the end only to find that after that many miles making significant increases in speed simple just doesn't happen easily or probably without sever consequences.   GREAT JOB.


2011-01-21 7:38 AM
in reply to: #3310884

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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon
Great job, Dean!
2011-01-21 1:52 PM
in reply to: #3310884

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Pro
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Subject: RE: P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon
wow.  3:40 to a 3:07.  That's amazing.

Heck- If I did that on my next 26er, I would be just Sooooo annoying to everyone I knew.
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