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Cape Cod Marathon - RunMarathon


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Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
United States
Falmouth Running Club
60F / 16C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 13m 11s
Overall Rank = 903/1005
Age Group = F 14-39
Age Group Rank = 207/245
Pre-race routine:

Drove out to the Cape Saturday afternoon. Stopped at packet pickup, bought a few items, checked into the hotel. We had an interesting dinner at Outback with Pam and Dave, grabbed bagels on the way back, watched baseball and fell asleep (eventually).
Event warmup:

Used the bathroom in my room as many times as I could before meeting up with Pam to drive to the start (a whole mile away!). We stood around talking and looking for familiar faces, then it was time to line up. Just before the gun went off, Joanne and Glen found us for pre-race hugs!
Run
  • 5h 13m 11s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 11m 57s  min/mile
Comments:

I set out with the goal of running 11 min/miles so I could go a little slower per mile in the last half and still go under 5. I did well with this plan until mile 16 or so, when my splits started heading into the upper 11's. After that, I just kept getting slower and slower. I had to start taking walk breaks at mile 21, and that just killed my time completely. My hydration and nutrition were excellent, and I never felt like I was bonking. C and Dave made it out to several points on the course to cheer for us, and it was really nice to see familiar faces out there, and I even managed a few smiles in the pictures C took ;). It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, it was a comfortable temperature, just a perfect day for a race.
All that said, I never felt "good" during this race. I knew early on that it was going to be a long day and I might not meet my goal of sub 5. My legs were tired and sore from the start, and I never got in my groove. BUT, I ran for the first 21 miles before I had to start taking walk breaks, AND I did make it back in one piece, so I can't complain ;).
This course was tough! It was gorgeous, but the last 16 miles of it is rather brutal (not that I have anything to compare it to). It was tough mentally to keep going up hill after hill. This was a great pre-IMLP test, because I know I will be hurting on that marathon too, and I know I will have to keep putting one foot in front of the other in order to become an Ironman. I am very relieved to have a marathon under my belt before I attempt IMLP. Now I know what 26.2 miles on my feet is like.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Post race
Warm down:

Got my medal and my foil blanket and met up with C and the Sullivans. Then it was back to the hotel to drink Endurox and eat a pumpkin cream cheese muffin.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I don't think doing the Hartford Half 2 weeks ago was a good idea. I went all out there and did well, but I didn't fully recover. This was my first marathon and I think I did ok.

Event comments:

This was a nicely organized race but there were too few aid stations (I had my FB with me, thankfully!) and no post-race festivities that I could see. The course was well-marked and well-staffed by cops and volunteers at intersections, and you really can't beat running by the beach! Nice long-sleeve shirt and a bottle opener in my race bag, and a cool finisher's medal. I would do this race again.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2007-08-15 12:00 AM
Running
05:13:11 | 26.2 miles | 11m 57s  min/mile
Age Group: 207/245
Overall: 245/1005
Performance: Good
Avge HR: 165
Course: A huge loop around the Falmouths. Hills, and lots of'em!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2007-10-29 3:36 PM

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Expert
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Avon, CT
Subject: Cape Cod Marathon


2007-10-29 3:48 PM
in reply to: #1028758

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Expert
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Welcome to Super Mario World
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Awesome job finishing your first marathon...not too far off your goal time too! x2 seeing you ran hartford 2 weeks ago!
2007-10-29 3:48 PM
in reply to: #1028758

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Expert
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Oak Ridge,
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Great job Polly!  Congrats on your first marathon.  It's awesome seeing all those pics of you with a smile on your face. 
2007-10-29 4:15 PM
in reply to: #1028758

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Master
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CT
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon

I think you did great for your first marathon and you were right on with your finish time. Its hard with this distance when you have no real frame of reference outside of your long runs. The course was very tough in terms of the amount of up and down and running along the beach was beautiful but tough with all that sun and little cover.

Its money in the  bank for LP!  

 

2007-10-29 6:21 PM
in reply to: #1028758

Champion
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Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon

Great job Polly!  Hell, 5:13 would be a marathon PR for me too, I'd take it!  At least it gives you something to shoot for when you do another one.  It'll help you at Lake Placid too, since now you're over the mental hurdle of doing 26.2 miles!

 

2007-10-29 7:21 PM
in reply to: #1028758

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Master
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Bronze member
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon

Well done Polly!! You ran a plan and hung in there- those hills are tough stuff. Love your finishing picture-positively BEAMING and rightfully so- Be proud, MARATHONer!



2007-10-29 7:48 PM
in reply to: #1028758

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Champion
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Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Great Job :0 the course is amazing   Hope youhad a great time
2007-10-30 8:04 AM
in reply to: #1028758

Expert
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Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Excellent race Polly.  To run the first 21 miles is great and your overall time is impressive.  One more step toward LP
2007-10-30 9:51 AM
in reply to: #1028758

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Master
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Maine
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Great job - that is a huge accomplishment.
2007-10-30 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1028758

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Champion
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MA
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon

Great race and mental boost for IMLP!

Congrats on your first Mary 

2007-10-30 12:16 PM
in reply to: #1029824

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Elite
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New City, New York
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Good job Polly. I'm w/ you, It's nice having that first 26.2 under our belts. See you in Lake Placid!


2007-10-30 3:34 PM
in reply to: #1028758

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2007-10-30 7:11 PM
in reply to: #1028758

Expert
1152
10001002525
wrightsville beach, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon

BIG congrats!!!!!  tough course and you plugged thru it. wasnt the scenery fantastic??!! could see for miles and miles. could almost reach out and touch the vineyard.

 

Great to catch you before the race!! Too bad you had to head right out, there was a pahty at the falmouth inn later in the afternoon for everyone. lots of fun.

hope to see ya soon, all the best on IMLP training.

2007-10-31 5:44 PM
in reply to: #1028758

Online or Offline
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon
Congrats on your first mary!! Awesome race report.....I loved that you were smiling so much. Love the pics!! Way to hang in there Polly
2007-11-06 1:46 PM
in reply to: #1028758

Expert
897
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Seattle WA
Subject: RE: Cape Cod Marathon

great race!! especialy considering it's just 2 weeks after an all-out half. you're gonna be in great shape come IMLP!!

awesome job! 

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