As I mentioned, Les and I spent the weekend in Ojai. He rode 130 miles on his bike on Saturday, while I stayed off my feet as much as possible. This was made relatively simple, because we stayed in the lovely Casa Ojai and the room was very inviting. I was able to take about a 2 hour nap!
We went to Papa Lennon's for dinner Saturday night. We split a Hawaiian pizza and Les also had spaghetti and meatballs. After 8 hours of pedaling, he could pretty much have whatever he wanted!
I actually slept pretty good Saturday night. We were lights out around 9:00 and I slept straight through until about 3:00 - six hours is pretty good the night before a big event and I felt well rested. We headed to the starting line around 5:20 and just wandered around for a little while. It was one mass start and of course there were people that were a little rude, but for the most part people were nice. Many were just in their own zones. I had a bit of nervous energy, but I was ready to go.
I jumped in with the 3:55 pace group. I thought if I could hang with them for a while I might be able to hit the 4 hour mark. In retrospect, it was my biggest mistake! They took off so fast! My first three miles were - 8:56, 8:31 and 8:59. This was such a rookie move! I knew not to go out too fast, but I did it anyway! I should have started with a slower group and saved something for the later miles. This really cost me. But I was happy when we took off!
The first six miles were a loop in Ojai that took us right past the starting line. Les was there cheering me on! At that point, I was running a 9:20 pace and still feeling good. Check out that calf! I've always kinda hated my calves because they're big, but they get me where I'm going!
At mile 7 we hit the bike path and headed for the ocean! All downhill from here... not really, but that's the claim! Les leap frogged a few times and snagged a few more pictures.
Mile 8:
Mile 9:
This is either my game face or my pain face...
Mile 13 - halfway there! I ran my first half in 2:06. Man! If only I could have kept that pace. It was right after the 13 mile mark that my pace began to slow. Mile 15 was 13:18, but that included a restroom break. I had to keep my Garmin running because the race clock doesn't stop!
I didn't see Les again until the finish line. My second half was significantly slower, with many walk breaks. I always ran part of every mile, but the walking increased. The weather was perfect, a marine layer the entire day.
Somewhere around the 18 mile mark I took a quick assessment. My legs were definitely fatiguing, but I did not have any pain in either knee! I was so relieved when I realized I could finish without any injuries.
They do a cruel thing at about mile 21. You run right by the expo. Oh the temptation! Cut through some back roads and you're at the finish line. But no, I had 5.2 more miles to go.
When I crossed the 22 mile mark, I was in new territory. I kept running, walking, running, walking. The cheerleaders and volunteers were so great. Clapping no matter what I was doing. The guy with the cowbell and the girls with the cookies. I needed every encouraging word!
Then... then I saw it... THE FINISH LINE!!
I don't know where the extra burst of energy came from, but it was there. Check out this sequence as I catch the two fellas running together, one in a red shirt...
and I pass them...
and sprint across the finish line, with them far in my rear view mirror! I honestly didn't even see them. All I saw was the finish line!
Oh the elation!! Les was there with a huge hug. Then Caroline and her husband, Bob, who came all the way from Fresno, just to see me cross the finish line! I could not stop smiling!! I didn't care about my finishing time - I finished and that was enough!
I am now the proud owner of a marathon finisher's medal. It's mine. All mine!
Stats and more tomorrow!
Hi Kathy! I am so glad I found you! I wondered about you and how you finished! Im Karen, the gal from the start in the blue shorts and silly pigtails! You just struck a chord in me and I wanted to see that you finished and became the marathoner that you deserve to be! I just smiled seeing that you finished and did so well! Congrats on a wonderful race! I live in Santa Barbara so maybe Ill see you in November! Happy miles and congrats again! You rock!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! So glad you found me. What are the chances that one of the nicest people I talked to at my first marathon would also have a blog? It was a great experience and I'm so glad I did it.
ReplyDeleteYES! We are from the fresno area- we both went to Fresno state! I taught at Yosemite High school in Oakhurst. Im a teacher by trade though stay at home mom now and My husband works for State Parks. WOW- it IS a small world! You DO rock and Ive been thinking of you, hoping you nailed it and you so did! Congrats Kathy! Im happy to have found you and to be following your journey! My quads are STILL recovering--how about yours? Ill try to run tomorrow and hope they go with the program! If your in the area, lets go for a run!
ReplyDeleteKaren, that is just crazy - Go Dogs!
ReplyDeleteYour description of how your legs were feeling is exactly how I felt Monday and Tuesday. I wanted to cry every time I went up the stairs. I started feeling better on Wednesday and actually rode my bike this morning. I'm guessing the faster your finishing time, the longer your recovery! I'm planning on running tomorrow, without any concerns about my pace!