Finisher's Certificate

Recovery Week!

I have had a great time recovering this week.  I haven't run a single time since Sunday and I'm fine with that.  I've done some walking and my legs are feeling pretty good.

Sunday - 26.47 miles in 5:08:09, 11:38 pace
Also walked 3 miles - 1 to the start line, 2 from the finish line to our hotel.

Monday - Walked 5.35 miles.
I had to return our rental car, then pick up my finisher's certificate.

Tuesday - Rested/traveled to Maui!

Wednesday - Walked 1.68 miles on the beach

Thursday - Rested

Friday - Went whale watching.  We also did a bunch of walking, but I didn't bother to keep track!

Saturday - Rested

We fly home tomorrow evening and I plan to get back on my mountain bike sometime on Monday!

Totals:
Running:  26.47
Walking:  10.02
Total: 36.49

Honolulu Marathon 2014 Recap

Where to begin?  A marathon is long, so a race recap must be long, too!

We decided to eat a very early dinner and headed to Round Table Pizza at around 3:00 on Saturday. I drank lots of water and had three pieces of pizza - my normal long run fuel. Of course I didn't sleep much, but I had napped on Saturday and woke up for good around 2:30. Our alarm was set for 3:00. My first glimpse outside revealed wet roads. It was raining lightly and continued to do so the entire morning... with the exception of the times it poured!

Les got to ride with the cycling escort team for the wheelchair racers again and they were meeting at 4:00.  I spotted the cycling team from our room.  They gathered, then escorted the wheelers to the start, about a mile from our hotel.

After standing around in the light rain, it was finally time for the national anthem, an Hawaiian blessing and fireworks.  The wheelers were off at 4:55 and we runners were off at 5:00. It took me about five minutes to actually cross the start line and it was slow going. My one complaint is with the mass start. People that were planning to walk the entire time were mixed in with slow and fast runners. I did way too much weaving, slowing and stopping in my first mile but tried not to get too frustrated.

Mile 1: 11:56

Mile 2: 11:42

Mile 3:  11:22

Mile 4: 11:20

Mile 5: 11:00

Things started spreading out a little as we made our loop through downtown and then headed towards Waikiki. 

Mile 6: 10:53

Mile 7: 11:26

Mile 8:  12:37

Mile 8 was the first hill of the day - Diamond Head!  I also saw the lead wheeler coming back. I recognized the cyclist who was out ahead of him - our friend, Bill. What I didn't know was that Les was right behind the lead wheeler!  It was still dark, the cyclists had lights on, and I didn't want to distract him!  Les' wheeler got first overall!

Mile 9: 11:09

Mile 10: 11:01

Mile 11:  10:56

Miles 12 through 22 were the meat of the race. An out and back on the Kalanianaole Hwy.  I knew it was going to be tough and I thought I was prepared, but there were times when the rain was pouring down and the wind was grabbing my hat off my head!  There were times when water was dripping off my hat.  I was glad I wore it!  For the record - running in the rain is fun for about 2 miles. After that it's a long, soggy slog!

Mile 12: 10:52

Mile 13:  11:34

Mile 14: 11:48

Mile 15:  11:49

Mile 16: 12:38

I made a decision that cost me quite a few minutes, but it was worth it. Around mile 15 I noticed some rubbing on my toes. Soggy socks were the culprit.  There was a medical aide tent just before mile 16, so I stopped and applied some Vaseline. I did not stop or pause my watch, but when I downloaded the file, it gave actual moving time. I'll share the time difference at the end of this post. 

Mile 17:  11:59

Mile 18: 11:40

Mile 19:  11:20

Mile 20: 11:50

Mile 21:  12:26

Mile 22: 12:51 (my slowest mile!)

The final four miles!  I knew the route well and though I knew I would not get a PR, I was happy to be finishing. It was definitely the most challenging weather I have faced in my illustrious marathon career!

Mile 23: 11:17

Mile 24:  12:02

Mile 25: 12:47

Mile 26: 10:29 (my fastest mile!)

Mile .47:  5:13

Moving time 26.47 miles in 5:08:09, 11:38 pace.  My official time was 5:28:19, 12:32 pace. Good enough for 330 of 1089 in my age group. 3027 of 10307 female finishers. 8479 overall of 21,811 finishers. 

The perfect post meal snack - a banana in one hand and a hot malasada in the other!  And the beautiful lei provided by my awesome, number one fan and supporter!  Les also surprised me by scheduling a one hour massage at our hotel - a first for me and so awesome!!

I still want to take a good look at my times on my previous marathons.  I know I was much more consistent with my pace this time around, just need to get it all a little faster.  We are flying to Maui tomorrow - Les has been working and now it's time for some vacation!  I may not blog again until we get home.  Thanks for following along!

Finished!!!

What a day!  It rained about 24 of 26 miles and the wind was crazy!  So brutal. And the crowd was insane. I ended up with 26.6 miles - almost half a mile of weaving.  My official time was 5:28:19.

Full report coming tomorrow. 

Final Preparations

I am less than 20 hours away from the start of my third marathon! I am as ready as I'm going to be. Working on what I can control and trying not to stress about what I can't control.

It takes a lot of stuff to run a marathon!

What I can control:

• My clothes are ready.
• My iPod and watch are charged.
• My fuel is mixed and in the freezer - I'm hoping it will be at least "cool" for part of the run. 
• I am staying off my feet while wearing compression socks. 
• I'm eating carefully and hydrating plenty. 
• I've already had one nap!

What I cannot control:

• Mostly the weather. The current forecast is for high winds (20-40 mph!) with the possibility of showers!
• The crowd. There are over 30,000 people registered for this event. It is a mass start and I'm just hoping I don't get behind a wall of walkers!!

Again, I'm number 976 if you're interested in following my progress here.

Marathon Training Week 16 Results

I decided to post this week's training and leave Sunday for it's own post!

This week was all about rest and having fresh legs on Sunday.  If I felt at all sore, I pulled back.  I knew I wasn't going to gain or lose fitness this week.

Sunday:  Rest
Result:  Rested

Monday: 5 Miles w/3 Miles @ Tempo (8:30/mile)
Result:  Ran 5 miles in 1:01:26, 12:17 pace
We rented a car for the weekend, so I decided to drive to Diamond Head and run around it.  Not a bad pace for a Monday!
Also walked 2.72 miles returning the car and meeting Les for lunch.

Tuesday:  Rest
Result:  Rested.  I woke up sore and took advantage of a rest day.

Wednesday:  5 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Result:  Walked 5.37 miles.
My left leg was a little stiff, so I backed off.  I walked about 3 miles in the morning, then walked to the Marathon Expo and grocery store.

Thursday:  Rest
Result: Rested

Friday:  3 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Result:  Ran 4.21 miles in 48:07, 11:26 pace
My legs were feeling good this morning but I made myself take multiple walk breaks.  Nervous energy is starting to build!
Also walked 4.31 miles, which was not a very good idea!

Saturday:  3 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Result:  I knew last night that I was going to take another rest day.  I walked too much yesterday and my legs were feeling it.  I also had a total of 24 miles when I was only suppose to have 16 for the week.  Les gave me one word of advice, "Resist."

Total planned miles - 16
Actual
Running 9.21
Walking 14.79
Total  24.00


Sunday:  26.2 Miles - Honolulu Marathon!!

Eeeeek!!!

The Honolulu Marathon Expo opened today and I picked up my bib!

There are over 30,000 people registered for the Marathon and Race Day Walk.  I am number 976.  Yes, I registered VERY early!  Live tracking is found here.

Marathon Training Week 15 Results

It is acclimation time!  We traveled to Hawaii on Tuesday, time to get use to heat and humidity again.


Sunday:  Rest Day
Results:  Rested

Monday: 5 Miles Easy w/5 Strides (pace 9:46)
Results:  Ran 5.01 miles in 1:15:31, 15:05 pace
Typical Slow Motion Monday!

Tuesday:  5 Miles w/3 Miles @ Tempo (pace 8:20)
Results:  Rested - traveled.

Wednesday:  Rest
Results:  Ran 4.2 miles in 48:05, 11:27 pace
It was POURING when I got up!  I know that rain is a real possibility during the marathon, so I grabbed my hat and went!  It was a fun run and I was not alone - lots of other crazy runners out there!

Thursday:  5 Miles Easy (pace 9:46)
Results:  Walked 4.1 miles

Friday:  5 Miles Easy (pace 9:46)
Results:  Ran 5 miles in 53:42, 10:44 pace
I felt good.  Temps have been great this week - I can only hope they will stay this way.
Also walked 1.71 miles.

Saturday:  12 Miles LSD (pace 10:04-11:04)
Results: Ran 12 miles in 2:13:57, 11:09 pace
The final long run!!  I ran it on the actual course.  So many other runners out!

Total planned miles:  32
Actual
Running 26.21
Walking 5.81
Total  32.02

Marathon Training Week 14 Results

I'm going backwards today!  I haven't posted two weeks worth of training.  I found reading my recaps from two years ago really helped me this year so I want to get them in while I can still remember at least part of it!

Sunday:  Rest Day
Result:  Rested

Monday: 8 Miles Easy w/8 Strides (pace 9:46)
Result:  Rode 12.56 miles in 1:26:09, 8.7 mph
Trail ride with Les, we saw a handful of cattle on the trail.

Tuesday:  8 Miles w/4 Miles @ Tempo (pace 8:20)
Result:  Ran 7.52 miles in 1:35:18, 12:40 pace
Trail run - saw the same cattle.  They weren't in the least bit interested in me!

Wednesday:  Rest
Result:  Ran 5.49 miles in 1:23:10, 15:08 pace
I rearranged things because I planned on doing my long run on Friday.

Thursday:  7 Miles Easy (pace 9:46)
Result:  Rested

Friday:  7 Miles Easy (pace 9:46)
Result:  Oh boy!!  The results were not pretty.  A huge Thanksgiving meal in the late afternoon... my GI was not happy!  Ran/walked 3.9.  Decided to hop on the bike for a spin instead and rode 8.63 miles.

Saturday:  15 Miles LSD (pace 10:04-11:04)
Result:  Ran 15.03 miles in 2:53:35, 11:33 pace.
Not super fast, but no GI issues, so I was good with it!

Total planned miles:  45
Actual
Running  31.94
Cycling  21.19
Total 53.13

Marathon Training Week 16

This is it!  Marathon #3 will be checked off the list at the end of this week!!!

This is the final week of training. Your race is this weekend! Take the three days of rest on the schedule and do short, easy runs on two other days.

As you're heading down this final stretch to the race, know that it's natural to start having doubts about your training and anxiety about race day. Try not to worry. Even if your training didn’t go perfectly, if you followed the plan most of the time, chances are that you’re fit to reach your marathon goals. Don’t try to cram in one extra hard workout; it will deplete the energy you need for the race. Just try to get some sleep, eat well, and make sure your plans are set for this weekend. Try to stick to the same routine that's worked for you during training; this is not the time to try out yoga or rock climbing. Whatever you do, don't try anything new.

Sunday:  Rest
Monday: 5 Miles w/3 Miles @ Tempo (8:30/mile)
Tuesday:  Rest
Wednesday:  5 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Thursday:  Rest
Friday:  3 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Saturday:  3 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Sunday:  26.2 Miles - Honolulu Marathon!!