Grandma's Marathon

We did it! Last weekend Jacey and I ran Grandma's Marathon up in Duluth, MN.  This was my second marathon and it was Jacey's first. We were nervous, but excited to be done with training. The weather was great which was a huge difference from the last time I ran it. We started out really strong and Jacey and I stayed together until mile 16. I stopped to get some Advil from Scott and she kept going. I thought I would catch up, but I never did. She was always stronger during our training, so I knew she would finish before me. We both really wanted to run it in 4 hours, but we just couldn't do it. Jacey finished in 4 hr 4 min and I finished in 4 hr 10 min. I beat my last time by 4 minutes. I really gave it my all, so I am not disappointed. It just makes me want to run another one and try again.

I have analyzed it over and over again and realized we were right on track until mile 16. Once I was separated from Jace, I slowed down - I was in some pain and at that point I didn't care as much about the time. I just wanted to finish and be done. At about mile 20, it really is all mental from that point on. I tried to stay positive and the spectators were really great and that helped a lot.

I felt so much better this time during the race and I think the reason was that I was better hydrated and I ate more before and during the race. Now those last 6 miles were brutal, but this time I knew I could finish. The first time I ran it, I did not know until the bitter end if I was going to finish it or just collapse before I got to the finish line. Several days before the race whenever someone wished me luck I would say, "if you remember say a little prayer for me on Saturday morning around 9 am." I guess that sounds a little selfish now that I think about it, but I seriously was really worried about being able to finish. I had some really bad training runs at the end and just didn't feel as prepared as I wanted to me.  I definitely felt a lot of strength from those prayers and I am so grateful to great friends and family and all the support I received along the way.

Just for me to remember for next time, here are the numbers:

Time: 4:10:18
Splits: 10K - 55:06, 13.1 miles - 1:58:17, 20 miles - 3:06:27, 25 miles - 3:58:07
Average Pace: 9:34
Overall Place: 2236 out of 5611
Gender Place: 578 out of 2147
Age Group Place: 99 out of 329 (age 35-39)

Scott, Ella, Spencer and Jack came as our cheering section and they were at miles 9, 16, 24 and 26. They were all dressed up in Hawaiian costumes and had funny posters to give us a boost (or make us puke). It was great to see them so much and we totally appreciate all the support they gave us during training and at the marathon!

Race packet pick up and Expo

Our good friends, Jamie Parrish, Maile Wilson and Camie Christensen all ran the half marathon and did amazing. We met up the night before at the spaghetti dinner. Camie ran part of the last mile with me which really gave me a boost at the end.

Our #1 fans!

The elite runners - the winner finished in 2:15:44. He was from Kenya and his average pace was 5:11. I can't even run 1 mile at that pace!

Mile 9 - we were so excited to see our cheering section!

Mile 24 - so ready to be done.

the home stretch - that last mile seemed forever!

big hug from Ella

Spencer made these fun signs. Luckily my toe nails did not look like this!