The week leading up to the marathon was super busy (although it was probably just a typical week in the life of raising 4 kids!) --- I had lots of things going on with the kids so I wasn't sure how I was going to race in Indy. I had a couple of late nights and early mornings and I was just generally exhausted. I've had a long racing season (my most amazing season ever, I must admit and I'm so thankful) but dare I say, I'm ready for a BREAK! At one point, I even considered (gasp!) dropping down to the half-marathon. I just finished the Chicago Marathon 3 weeks prior and didn't take much time to recover. I had a couple of long (16 and 18 milers) weekend progression runs (which are new for me and very challenging - starting slower and increasing the pace as the run progresses) right after Chicago so I wasn't sure how my legs were going to feel. I had to leave on Halloween - very BAD planning on my part for sure!!! How did I miss that when I registered for the race?!? I hadn't 'discussed' pace with my coach - I think I was avoiding the topic - haha! Ross told me to just 'enjoy' the race and run for 'fun' especially since I got my 2016 Boston Qualifier Time in Chicago. BUT you know me - I don't do anything for 'fun', right? I had lunch with Ross and Jillian before I left town - did this before Chicago Marathon too --- brings me good luck. Driving down it was cold, raining, then snowing, and very windy. PERFECT racing conditions - ugh! I found my hotel and got settled. Headed to the expo which was connected to my hotel - yay! Picked up my packet and then drove to my favorite place - Whole Foods! - had some dinner and did some shopping.
I woke up Saturday morning feeling pretty good. I did some dynamic warmups in my hotel room and headed to the start. It was COLD and dark (Hello Daylight savings time on November 2nd!) but at least the rain had stopped. I did a couple of sprints to get warmed up and then jumped in my start corral near the front. My coach wanted me to start out with the first 13 miles at a 7:20 pace and really try to stick to this pace --- in Chicago, my pace was a little too fast at the start and I think that hurt me in the later miles. So, I did just that - I locked into my 7:20 pace and did what I love - RUN. There was a really strong headwind --- like 20 MPH strong ---- for the first 13 miles but I kept telling myself that if I could tolerate it for 13 miles I would get a nice tailwind on the way back. I was able to maintain my 7:20 or better for the 2nd half and actually ended up pulling out my FIRST ever negative split marathon!!!! I felt really strong both mentally and physically throughout the marathon (seemed much stronger than Chicago and my quads didn't hurt like they did in Chicago). I did it, I met my final goal for 2014 --- A sub-3:15 marathon ------- 3:11 to be exact :) I'll admit that I left Chicago feeling like I had more left in the tank --- like I was capable of more than a 3:15. I took in all my nutrition (didn't quite get in all my gels in Chicago) and I'm happy to say that I won't be taking in any more Gel or Shot Blocks for several months!!! phew! Hello OFF-SEASON!
My biggest supporter and my LOVE:
Jayden ...... well he picked a super hard design and only got a few cuts into it before he decided it was too hard to finish. my little perfectionist :)
281/3736 Overall
44/1567 Female
1st half: 1:36:02
2nd half: 1:35:42 (1 year ago this was my half-marathon PR)
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