Sunday, May 17, 2009

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Report

well...I finished....

short version I finished 4:22:21 way, way, way off any sort of PR.  It was a struggle.  I almost gave up.... several times.  I'm not too happy with how it all went down today.  But I finished so that is the upside!  

Longish version

Today was one of those days that I questioned why I thought it would be a fantastic idea to run a marathon.  Thought of selling my Chicago marathon entry for October because I'm not running another marathon ever and all that.  I had some GI issues and girlie issues but I am not blaming it on that.  It was one of those days that ended up not being my day.  I didn't follow my own marathon plan and it hurt me in the end (and middle).  

Miles 1-9 - My hubbie and I stayed downtown literally right outside the start line.  Thanks hilton point.  You may have been a crappy hotel but I didn't have to go far!  The run started off with my playlist all screwed up.  I said "screw it" and put it on random after a 1/2 mile of trying to fix it.  No big deal.  I don't think I went out too fast in the first mile. In hindsight.  yes, yes I did.  These early miles passed really quickly.  Besides the annoying girls trying to hang with one of the pace groups with a zip up sweatshirt that was swinging around hitting everyone as she weaved in and out cutting off people.  ugh. The whole time I was thinking maybe my pace was too fast and I would pay later.  And oh, I did.

Miles 9-12 - Not feeling good at ALL!  Long uphill on an exit ramp/highway.  No ankle pain - yay.  Instead left hip/IT band issues I have never experienced before.  I tried to ignore.  No crowd support at all, which was fine but I started to feel nausea's, was in pain, had to pee, and had GI issues. Mind you, I never, ever, ever, stop during a race and most training runs for the bathroom.  ever.  Just before 13 the half and full marathoners separated and I made my first porta potty stop.  No good.  

Mile 12.5 - 13 - Yay my family and friends!  My BF husband who just finished the half jumped in to run with me for  1/2  mile.  They gave me a boost.

Mile 13.5 - 16  - I take a turn for the worse GI wise.  Just before mile 16 I nearly did not make it to the bathroom.  Nasty.  I wasn't hurting other than my stomach which is the most frustrating kind of pain.  I ended up wasting nearly 5 minutes on this stop.  The difference between meeting and missing my goal.

Mile 17 - The 4:15 pace group I held off for so long passed me after my break. I lost it mentally and physically at this point.  I almost was a DNF.

Mile 18-23.  Run. Walk.  Swear.  Repeat.  Oh with some feeling nausea and thoughts of giving up or walking the rest thrown in.

Mile 23 - 24 - Hubbie, Brother in Law and Sister find me to run with me!  Sista goes with me to 26! They give me much needed support and oranges.  Yeah, oranges!  BIL and hubbie leave to go walk to the finish.  

Miles 24.25 - Step sister, step brother, and step sister in law join in on the party.  I told them not to take offense but I wasn't going to talk other maybe grunt until the end.  Made up some time and started hitting sub 10's finally.  

Mile 24.5 - end -  My sister got hit on my some 50 year old creep.  He was cool and that he's done over 50 marathons, 1 just 3 weeks ago.  Not cool and that he was hitting on her and uber creepy trying to hit on her.  I think he told me I had a nice ass just to continue to talk to her. She bailed around 26 - I don't blame her :)  No she left b/c she didn't want to act like she ran the thing although the looks she got when she went off course were funny.  Thanks to the announcers I kicked it and finished strong.  They called out my name several times (pronounced my new last name correctly!) and my whole family besides my sister missed my finish.  Oh well.  

The most frustrating part was I lost my plan and I wasn't hurt.  I hurt but no more than one should when running 26.2 .  I gave up on myself.  How I was feeling was so defeating. 

The medal rocks and overall it was a nice course. Although the hill at 21 sucked!  I forgot about it.  Not much in the way of crowd support but the race went smoothly and was well executed. Although the women's marathon shirt looks like a school crossing sign (bright greenish/yellow). Bart Yasso was at the expo and the start but I was too chicken shit to go talk to him/take a picture with him. I don't do well with strangers.  Especially famous strangers :)

Next up the few pictures I have from the race...


23 comments:

The Laminator said...

Congrats on finishing, Jamie! Way to fight through the GI issues and all those negative thoughts. We always learn more about ourselves from the tough race than the easier ones where everything goes right! Way to go!

C said...

So sorry it was such a slog-fest, but congrats to you for pushing through! That takes a lot of strength, never forget that.

kilax said...

4:22 is still a great time! You can take what you learned and apply it to Chicago and your training. :)

I have lots of stomach issues when I am running, and it makes me crazy, because it will happen even if I haven't been eating anything weird :( I keep joking about wearing a diaper... ;)

Anonymous said...

Having GI issues is the worst. Way to keep moving forward. Your time may not have been what you had wanted, but it is still really good. Hope you are feeling better. Rest up!

MCM Mama said...

Good job finishing! It's those races that suck that really show how strong someone is and you are incredible. Give yourself a break and be proud of your finish (which was still an awfully good time).

Jocelyn said...

Finishing is the most important part. And I think that your time is pretty awesome! Sorry it was a struggle...but you should be beyond proud that you didn't give up!

audgepodge said...

Man, you're quick! So sorry you had to deal with so many challenges but I absolutely loved hearing about all the friends and family that rallied you to the finish line. And gross about 50yo man. You're trying to run a marathon - you shouldn't have to deal with that crap! And I totally felt the hill at mile 11 on the bridge - OMG, my lack of training really came into play then. I had to walk up the hill a bit because I was dying (even though they don't really compare to SF hills... haha). Great job!

kristen said...

4:22 is a completely respectable marathon. Your did amazing considering all the head games and GI issues you pushed through. There is something to be said for that!

I agree with The Laminator - it's the tough races that prove what we are really capable of. Don't diminish your sucess here.

Great job girl!

tfh said...

Congratulations on finishing a tough, tough race for you. As someone who like you doesn't usually have GI issues, I can imagine how frustrating (and confusing) it must have been to have to deal with them for the 1st time on the worst day possible for it. This one made you STRONG! That is an AWESOME time and if you subtract the time you had to spend dealing with your stomach issues, it's even better-- you should be so proud of yourself!

J said...

Sorry to hear the marathon didn't go as planned. I felt the same way during my 800m race a few weeks ago. I just totally gave up and wasn't there mentally. It happens to all of us. Great job though on pushing through and finishing! You are a great runner!

carpeviam said...

So glad you stuck with it, no matter how mentally and physically challenging. Proves how strong you are!

Let's see a pic of the medal!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Sorry it was such a tough race for you... but you did an awesome job gutting it out. That experience I'm sure will make you so much stronger. Rest up & recover. Congrats again. :D

Jeri said...

Sorry about the sucky stomach issues, but a completed marathon is still a damn good accomplishment in my book (and I have a very important book). :)

Jess said...

Yuck those stomach issues sounds miserable, but congrats on pushing through and finishing the race anyway. Glad you had the fam there for support!

rodney said...

Sorry to hear about your CRAPPY experience. (I just had to do that)What was the deal? GI bug or nerves? 4:22 is still better than my time. So don't sweat it, and surely Chicago will be better.

Amy said...

Congrats on finishing! No matter what went through your head during the race - it doesn't matter - you did it!

Amy

Denise said...

Thanks for the nice comment to my post yesterday. After it's all said and done, I'm glad I posted. The supportive comments I received were overwhelming.

maria khoury said...

congrats on making it through the race even when it wasnt your day. 4:22 is still pretty darn respectable! and yeah...what a weird color for the shirts! with red and blue on it, too! weeeeiiiird. luckily the medal is so badass.

Marlene said...

Congratulations! Sorry you didn't meet your goal, but every marathon is a huge acomplishment - especially with so many factors working against you. You pushed through and you should be damn proud!

Kelly said...

I hate GI issues as well. Frustrating! Although I'd take your finishing time any day. Jealous. Are you running Chicago this year too? Sorry, just stopped by, haven't read too much.

X-Country2 said...

A marathon finish is a marthon finish! Sounds like you had some great support out on the course. You'll get the next race. marathon or otherwise.

Aron said...

oh jamie i'm sorry :( i know how it goes when its just not your day. congrats for finishing, esp with that stomach pain! a finish is always an awesome thing, just might take a week or 2 to realize it :) hang in there girl and hope you are recovering well. i know there will be another marathon for you soon!! (hugs)

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