To give a post race update I have included a post race report. I think that this sums it up. I am now on day one of rest and hoping that I get my legs back soon!
"Post Race Report – Arizona Rock and Roll Marathon
I had altered my mantra coming into this race to “wing it” which I would add onto my treasured mantra of “I finish what I start and I finish strong”. Training had changed about 3 weeks ago when I strained my foot. In the last 3 weeks I have spent a total of 45 minutes running, a total of 1 swim, and some intense cross training on the bike. My hopes for getting a Boston qualifying time was dwindled down to almost nothing. I was ready to accept this. I mean really, if I look back on my past year of racing, I have accomplished a lot. Two ironmans in less than 3 months, along with other running races and triathlons since March, all of which I was hitting PB’s on. I had had a great year.
Don’t get me wrong, I really still wanted to run, not just for myself but for my sister. This was her first marathon, the one which we had been planning on racing together. I wanted to pace her and be sure she crossed the line in the time that she needed to qualify too. So with a foot injury leading up to the race, the plans had changed. We talked about race pacing, nutrition, hydration and I also made it clear, if I was struggling and she was feeling good that she was to continue on without me. I had no doubt that she could do the race, but felt that she might need someone to rein her pace in a little at the start, well the first 20 miles really.
The day before the race we went out for a short run with a couple of race pace pickups. My foot was still sore, but it did not get any worse. I made the final call that I would race and “wing it”. We spent the rest of the day shopping around the mall (trying to not spend too much time on our feet), went to the matinee Avatar and then finished our day at PF Chang’s for dinner. I had continued to stretch, ice, and taped my foot.
The night before the race I slept terrible. I am not even sure if I slept. I heard every movement, each time Lara or Kelvin would turn over in bed, I heard it. I heard the air conditioner kick in every 20 minutes and my mind continued to race with thoughts. Thoughts about the race, what could go right, what could go wrong?
We woke up at 4 am. Washed, dressed, stretched, rolled out the legs, HR monitor on, and out the door for breakfast. The usual was consumed: granola, yogurt and tea. I took a banana to the start line which we arrived at after taking the shuttle from the finish line. It really sinks in how long the race is when you drive from the finish line to the start line and it takes almost 40 minutes!! The morning was COLD, colder than I was expecting, not Calgary COLD though. We waited forever, and I think I visited the port o’ potties about 10 times. I could feel my foot as we stood around waiting for the start. This worried me; I was not sure how this day would unfold. I made the call to take one 200mg Advil.
At 7:40 the race started. We lined up beside the 3:40 pacer knowing that this is what the goal was going to be. As we started the pace felt easy, relaxed really. It was nice. He might have been a little slow at the start, but it was good. The crowd seemed to grow around him and we felt restricted so we made the call to pull ahead a little where there was more room. We ended up beside Ed, the man that would become my new best friend for the day. Ed decided that he was good running with us at our pace. He was there for a training run for a 50 miler he has coming up!! An easy day for him, a work day for us. As we continued I was starting to feel tired and we weren’t that far into the race. I did not want to say anything so I kept trucking along. I was still keeping a conversational pace with Ed and Lara, but had started to notice my IT band and my left knee. As we ran I did some self trigger point release of the gluts both to release and activate the muscle. Things started to feel better. Initially we had planned on taking a walk break every 20 minutes; in the end we took our first walk break well over 1 hour. We decided that we would walk every 2nd aid station from there on out. When we hit mile 13 we were 3 minutes ahead of schedule and pacing was going well. I was still feeling like this was tougher that it should be but persevered on. Lara needed a “pottie” break so we made a quick stop and then caught up to our friend Ed again. I had to take one more Advil, not for the foot but for the knee. I started doing the countdown at each mile marker and repeated to myself “I can do 13......I can do 12.......I can do 11.....” The foot was feeling pretty good, the legs were tired. I kept telling myself that “I have done Ironman, I can do a marathon”. My mantra had now changed again to “No longer winging it, I am doing it!”
We hit mile 21, only 5.2 miles left to go. I knew we were going to make it. I also knew that Lara had more in the tank than I did. As she took off I was happy for her, excited really. I thought, I helped get her here, I helped her do this. I was so proud of her and she was loving it! My pace slowed slightly, I told Ed that he was going to have to tell me to suck it up. (He was kind enough to stay with me and pace me in). At mile 25 he looked at me and said “Did you tell me you beat me at Ironman and this is all you have left?????” (Keep in mind his Ironman was a few years ago and mine was only 8 weeks.......) Still, I had to suck it up, only 1.2 miles to go. We picked up the pace and made it to the finish. A Boston Qualifying time had been achieved!! Lara had come in about 1:45 ahead of me, she was thrilled! Ed had helped me get there, 3:37:24, Boston 2011 here I come.
I looked over and there was Kelvin, tears of joy in his eyes. He was so proud of both of us. He too had just gotten a PB as well in the half marathon!! What a fantastic way to top the day!
(Disclosure: I do not advocate taking NSAID’s during training if you are injured. I also would recommend avoiding it during races if possible as there are known side effects especially in longer events. Take at your own discretion or under the advice of a doctor/ pharmacist.) "
