Finding confidence in the marathon
Where do I begin writing this piece? Every time I approach my laptop to begin writing, I can’t seem to organize my thoughts into the traditional opening paragraph, supporting material and conclusion. I’m currently laying on a couch, four days out from my marathon, nursing the aftermath wounds I sustained from an experience that is still leaving a stupid grin on my face. It seems that everything on my body hurts; my feet, my toes, my quads, my hips and somehow my arms, but the endorphins continue to linger and bring me excitement to write this.
At packet-pick up the day before the marathon in Sacramento, California.
I won’t write a lengthy race recap, but instead a quick paragraph about it. I ran 3:06:22, a lifetime marathon personal best and only my second marathon after eight years. Eight years after I underwent a grueling master’s degree, walking away from the sport due to college burnout and a back injury which resulted in surgery. My finishing time was not the goal, I wanted to run under 3 hours. My training and mind were so set on this time goal that I told my coach, Johnny, I don’t want a B or C plan. There was only an A plan. Deep down, I knew this would be a good day no matter what the clock said crossing that finish line.
On the shuttle bus to the start line, I met an amateur, covid-created training group from Los Angeles. They had impressive resumes and even more impressive time goals for the race. This training group took me under their wings for the warm-up, strides and company while waiting in the bathroom lines. I cannot thank them enough for their kindness, friendliness and taking me in as one of their own teammates. One of the members, Chris, was aiming for sub-3 that day as well. We quickly combined race plans and created our game plan. Chris and I knocked out perfect paces. He was a freaking human metronome. Every time I got too excited and the pace too hot, he gently reminded me “not yet”. We came through 13.1 at 1:29:17. Perfect. We had a great cushion, we were talking, my heart rate was controlled and the legs were feeling bouncy. Through 19 miles I averaged a 6:51 pace. I kept telling myself “this is happening, today is the day”. But the marathon wall came on pretty hard–the overwritten, over-discussed “wall” that everyone knows and so there is nothing more I feel to add to it. Things burned, hips stiffened, pace slowed and I held on for dear life to the finish line.
Coming down the finish line straightaway at the California International Marathon.
Of course I was disappointed that I spent many hours of training and preparation to not reach my end goal. I also hope folks don’t assume I gave up so easily. During those descendo miles, I surged, held on to passerbys, propelled my arms, and took in extra fluids and nutrition to find a window of forgiveness. But it never came. Regardless, those emotions were short lived as the sensation of accomplishment and pride overcame me. I ran a marathon in the low-3s! This person that has always placed high emphasis on career, family, dogs and then lastly running. I overcame many sleepless nights, long work hours at the hospital, injury and burnout to run this marathon and ultimately, I feel so, so proud of myself.
Let’s talk about the training leading up to the marathon: when I realized what the training cycle would ensue, I remembered challenging Johnny a couple times and yet wholeheartedly trusting him. Johnny had me running only a few 50-mile weeks with my weekly average mileage being about 45-48 miles. That’s it. Low 3 on 45-48 miles per week. That is quite the mileage difference from my first marathon where I averaged 70 miles per week (of course, I was younger, stronger, less injury prone and had all the time in the world to devote). Johnny told me to focus on the weekly workout and a Sunday long run with spicy marathon miles. Everything in between included very easy, short runs and one day off per week - occasionally two because of adulting commitments. I am here to say it can be done with a busy lifestyle if you accept an untraditional training plan and trust in the process.
In conclusion, albeit only my second marathon, I came out with a new found confidence in my abilities. I trust that a sub-3 hour marathon is in my near future. A fire has been lit and maybe I will see this mileage again in the spring.