First thank you to everyone for the well wishes and then checking in to see if I survived…a race report 6 
days late still counts for something right??? Since this wasn’t a fantastic or a bad day for me, I just haven’t figured out how to recap in a way that won’t bore you to tears. I’d say the biggest problem is that I ran this race for Kim’s birthday, not because this was a race that I was just dying to do…so while I enjoyed it my heart wasn’t in it to push all out, which is how I feel I should perform in races.
GAME PLAN
Mentally I decided I was running 2 10 milers and a 10K. This worked fabulously for the first 10 miles, where I just looked at the strip and glided along feeling great. The second 10 miler I turned on the music and tried to zone out as I would during a training run. Unfortunately when I hit that 10K, I just didn’t have the umph left that I would hope for…maybe next time I’ll focus on running 26.2 miles because that seems more logical.
WEATHER
Uhh so I usually wear 2 long sleeve shirts when it’s 50 degrees…the start was 30 degrees…you might imagine that I thought I was going to die. So as people were shedding their clothes, I was picking them up! During the 20 minutes it took to get to the start I put on a second pair of gloves, a stocking cap and a scarf…I wanted to pick up a jacket but people were really starting to look at me like a freak.
PACE
I easily maintained a comfortable 9:47 pace until mile 20. My hamstrings were so tight I had to stretch cause I couldn’t fully use my leg…so I did. Then I walked a minute…then I looked at my watch and started calculating if I could PR. After I decided I couldn’t well let’s be honest I just thought all right no need to push myself any more. :) So I set about a walk run, which is totally not my best way to do long distance, but hey it got me to the finish line in 4:30.
So folks my first marathon 5 years ago is still my best at 4:17. I have to admit, since I was unable to run for most of the summer and didn’t get to increase my mileage as desired for this marathon I felt like it was pretty respectable. I felt good at the end, was able to walk three or four miles that day and did an 8 miler today (6 days later) so I guess life is just dandy.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I have been asked by a couple people to run ING Miami…and I don’t know for sure what I will do. I would like to run a couple of 1/2 marathons next year to work on speed and then a full again in the fall. I would also LOVE to do another RELAY!! Anyone interested in the Sunset 2 Sunrise relay???
PHOTOS
The racing Elvis’s (Elvi?), the Scar costume from Lion King (BEST FREAKING SHOW), pre-race in my fun new running shirt (I will totally be buying more of these they are so funny), post-race with my new super star bling and the three of us after a nice meal to end our stay in Vegas.
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Gratitude Journal
Dec 12
I am grateful to be back in warm Miami
I am grateful I had a nice comforting run today
I am grateful my husband said I looked skinny!
I am grateful I went to the store for green smoothie ingredients
I am grateful I found a coupon for rice milk
Miami Running
Slomohusky
I live in Vegas and ran the Half. It was colder than normal for us. however for a few weeks each year we can get near or below 30. I ran the half with a long sleeve T with short sleeve layered over it. I wore some cheapo pants thinking I was going to shed them, but I actually kept them on along with my throw away gloves and freebie beenie cap from the Expo. Even the Kenyan who won the mens complained about the cold!Glad you made it out here for it though. I was just suprised how big it was and how long it took me to cross the start. Great job on your time. Considering the cold you did really well!
Tricia
Brrr….sounds cold. As much as I complain about the humidity here, I would be complaining even more if it were cold. :) Cute pics!
HEATHER @ runfasterm
I have that same shirt, I love it! congrats on your race!!
Denise
great job sticking with it and finishing in a very respectable time!! you did great!
Jenny
30 degrees? I would've ran off the race track to the nearest Holiday Inn ;) great job girlfriend!
Kim
I love the 10 mile, 10 mile, 10K idea… except I know I would have hit the 10K and been like WTH… why am I not done? Good job on your race – I appreciate that you don't take it so seriously that a little run/walk doesn't freak you out. 4:30 is so good!
Nicci@NiftyEats
Congrats on the race dear, glad you stuck with it and kept going.
Christina
What is the sunset to sunrise relay? 12 people, 200'ish miles?
Kelly
Very jealous that you are back in warm Miami, it's well below 30 here!
Jules
Glad I got to see you for a few in Vegas! It was COLD, what was up with that? I was happy to have some clothes to cover up with when we finished. Enjoy Miami running, I came home to below zero temps :)
teacherwoman
Great race report!
Jon Gilchrist
good job…and I can only imagine the loosk u were getting as U were picking up that gear..hahaha2 long sleeve t shirts yeah? WOW..I think I'd BURN up in that get up in 50 degrees…
The Linz
Looks like you had a fun time in Vegas. And way to go on finishing the cold marathon. I can't even imagine that. Great job!
Anne
Oh my gosh, that is SO cold for running weather! At least to me, haha. Great job!
Mel-2nd Chances
Congrats on the marathon — have a great weekend :)
chandra
Great job with the race! 4:30 is a very respectable time. :)
pennylope
Congrats on the race!! Especially if you weren't able to train much during the summer–it's hard to come back from that to even complete a marathon.That relay looks awesome! I really think I need to get a relay on my race schedule either next year or the year after! Have you done a relay before?
pennylope
oh, and ps. love the image of you picking up other peoples throwaway clothes. made me laugh! :)
Ms. V.
nice finish anyway!!!
Meg Runs
Nice job! You cracked me up with your need and desire to pick up clothes along the way! What a great idea but I think I would have laughed if I had seen you, very cute! I'm happy that you're back to warmer temps!
Ulyana
Congrats on finishing another marathon! Isn't that a great feeling?
lifestudent
ok, I love that you actually picked up clothes people discarded. thats pretty fricking funny ;)
Suzy
Congrats on finishing another! It is hard to find the right clothing when there is such a temp change through the race.
Abby
Hmm… reading your feelings about why your head wasn't in this one gave me some explanation of why I felt the way I did during Philly. It totally makes sense – a marathon is a big deal. If your heart isn't totally in it, it's a hard thing to push through. Not that doing it for a friend's birthday isn't fantastic, of course!
rUntoNamAste
Lol @ 'Elvi'. Congrats on your race and you absolutely have to do Miami…because I'm running it tee hee :)
shellyrm
Congrats on our marathon. When you are not used to it 30 degrees would feel really cold! Don't you live in Fl. You were probably frozen at the end!
I sometimes break up the marathon distance mentally too. Some races it works some not so much. I'll have to try the 10 10 10K and see if it works.
Enjoy your victory! Oh, and you are skinny!!!
Jeri
Great job on your marathon girly! Sounds like you had a good race strategy going. :) I almost picked up some gloves that people were shedding today my fingers were FREEZING at the start. Uff. I think you have a great plan for 2010. It's fun to focus on 1/2s and work on the speed. :)
Angie Eats Peace
Congrats! The start was a cold that I was totally not prepared for. You did awesome!
allijag
Congrats pretty lady! You are the best! :) I'm gonna run Vegas in 2 years – wanna go back with me :)
fancy nancy
Great job on the race! My friend is training now for Miami…you would be right on track if you wanted to do it…plus it's close to home for you! ;-)
J
Great job on the marathon! With having that injury over the summer you did great training for this race!
Meghann
I'll do it! I'll do it!! If you set up the team I will run the relay with you!! :)
Amanda
I am just cracking up picturing you roaming around picking through the discarded clothing piles and adding more layers:) Good job getting it done when you really weren't feeling it!
Katie A.
I LOVE that you were picking up clothes! OMG that is hilarious! I could just see you doing that!Glad you had a good time, and yes, with all your crazy life this year and injuries, a 4:30 is AWESOME!Congrats!
Marlene
I think it's hysterical that you were scooping up clothing that people were ditching! I would have loved that weather. ;)Congrats!!!
Jamie
Congrats on another marathon finish! I could be persuaded to run that relay :)
aron
i emailed you on the multiple thing :) congrats on another marathon girl!!! after all the injuries this year, i am happy to see you ended it on a good note!
Kim
Thank you SOOOOO much for coming out on my birthday.Thank you SOOOOOO much for hosting us for the Miami marathon.You are SUCCCCHHHHH a great friend!!LUVS!
sRod
Very late here, but CONGRATS!!!! A finish is a finish no matter how lack luster you imagine it to be!
Julie @ "Hotleg
HI! I stumbled upon your blog searching for blogs posts about the RnRLV marathon. I'm doing it this december and it will be my very first full marathon. I wanted to know how cold it's gonna be since I freeze easily. haha! reading your post made me realize to wear at least 3 to 4 layers. 30 degrees, wow!I'm a new follower by the way =)