Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Race Recap: California International Marathon

To be 100% honest, I don't remember much about the actual running of CIM, but I do know that I had a really, really fun weekend with a lot of great memories and key takeaways -- and running my fastest marathon yet was only a small blip on the weekend's spectrum. Without further ado: CIM weekend.

Pre-race fun times

On Saturday morning, the beautiful Courtney picked me up from my house and we headed straight to the CIM expo in Sacramento. There, we met up with Katie and Naomi. We had fun dinking around at vendor booths, met up with fellow San Francisco Marathon Ambassador Laura, bought cowbells for future races (can you believe I still don't have one?), picked up our race bibs/t-shirts, and parted ways. After the expo, Court & I pre-carb-loaded on sandwiches from a tasty bread shop in Sacramento, and then we headed straight to the grocery store for the real carb-loading that was about to happen.

Courtney, Katie, me, and Naomi, all excited to unite outside of SF for once.

Courtney, Laura, and me at the SFM booth

Courtney's parents are probably the coolest parents on the planet, and I think it would be nice if they'd adopt me. That isn't going to happen anytime soon, but the next best thing did happen: They let us take over their house for the evening to host a runner/spectator pizza party and sleepover, complete with nail painting. (Thank you so so so so SO much for your hospitality, Courtney's mom & dad!)

We were leaving SF for ONE DAY. How much stuff do two girls need?

Carbs courtesy of Court's parents.

MORE CARBS.

Cute little Layla & me

Painting my nails during a break from Sticking myself.

Best way to calm pre-marathon nerves: Friends.
Layla, me, Courtney, Michelle, Don, Angela, Sesa

5:00am Sunday morning rolled around, and I found myself excitedly eating what I could stomach of my breakfast, all while annoying the half-awake runners who were groggily stumbling around the house. I had high hopes for this race, and my energy was equally as high.

It's much too early for real smiles.

Our good friend (and volunteer for CIM) Layla dropped us off at the race site, we made our way to the Wall-o-Port-o-Potties, the sweat bag drop, and finally the famous starting line. I don't remember much except giving my friends good luck hugs, jumping around during the National Anthem, then toeing the marathon start line for the 5th time in a year and a half.

Photo courtesy of Katie's husband

The race


I had a distinct pacing strategy for this race, thanks to my good friend XLMIC. As a result, I was ONLY thinking about pace during this race. I was one of the un-fun runners who didn't high-five the kids out there or chuckle at any witty signs (but I did thank the volunteers for handing me water). I noticed the never-ending hills and a few people running in costumes around me; but for the most part I missed the sites and most of the spectators. I was focused on hitting my paces, getting water when I needed it, and pushing my limits. I was so focused that I missed fueling by a half mile more than 3 times, I only saw my friends in 1 of the 3 places they said they'd be cheering at, and I just tried to pick people off to keep myself going forward.

XL's pacing strategy for my race was this:
Miles 1 & 2: 8:30
Miles 3 & 4: 8:20
Miles 5-20: 8:10
Miles 21 & 22: 8:05
Miles 23 & 24: 8:00
Miles 25-26.2: 7:55

This would ensure a negative split (something I have never done), an overall pace of 8:10 (also something I have never done), and a finishing time of 3:33:55 (something I never thought I'd even dream of attempting).

Miles 1-4, The warm-up:

1: 8:24
2: 8:28
3: 8:23
4: 8:28

The race starts with some pretty significant downhills, so it was verrrry tricky trying to control a warm-up pace. I kept checking my watch every quarter of a mile or so, but I was also running with Angela for the first few miles and she helped me keep myself honest. I wanted to bust out and bank time on the downhills while I had the energy and terrain, but this is clearly a plan that has repeatedly failed me in the past. This was the time to try new a new strategy here: I had nothing to lose. Hopefully treating the first miles as a warm-up would make a marathon seem "easier" at the end.

Miles 5-8, It's go time:
5: 8:12
6: 8:12
7: 8:11
8: 8:11

I don't remember much except looking for my spectator friends after my true "go-time" clicked over at mile 5. I saw my friends at 7.5, and they were adorable with their signs, whistles, cameras, and excitement! It was such a boost seeing them out there, and it made me feel good to know people who cared about me were there to cheer me on.

The best spectators at CIM: Karin, Beth, and Jana

Miles 9-22, I'm rollin':
9: 8:10
10: 8:07
11: 8:08
12: 8:04
13: 8:06
14: 8:11
15: 8:20
16: 8:10
17: 8:04
18: 8:11
19: 8:07
20: 8:07
21: 8:07
22: 8:07

I have no recollection of anything race-related during these miles. I noted that the weather was perfect, I felt like I was hardly sweating, the miles were FLYING by, my lips kept getting chapped for some strange reason, and the wind was non-existent (good thing, since it has been so windy lately!). That, and I was excited that I was actually doing it -- I was getting close to my goal paces while controlling my breathing, and I felt optimistic about being able to PR. I tried to sip water every mile and just hold on.

Miles 23 - 26.2, Mental miles:
23: 8:21
24: 8:20
25: 8:22
26: 8:13
.27: 2:02/7:23 pace

My good friend/unofficial running coach/marathon "bible"/wonderful resource RoadBunner sent me a good-luck message from Hawai'i that I got early Sunday morning before the marathon. She told me that I was a strong runner and that I needed for fight for it at the end of the race. The last 3 to 5 miles of the marathon have traditionally been the darkest for me. I battle a lot of mind games where I always end up convincing myself that taking walk breaks is the only way I'll get to the finish. Not this time. Hearing RoadBunner say "fight for it" kept playing in my head. My goal paces started slipping away, and instead of giving in, I kept repeating my new mantra.

I know marathons are not easy. I know that great things don't happen by accident. I set my sites on people in front of me, tried to catch them, and fought for it. I had a bit of a fade in these miles, but I'm proud of how well I held it together. Fight for it.

Apparently Jana took this picture of me. I never saw her.

Fight for it.


I crossed the finish line and stopped my Garmin: 3:35:44.97. I put my hands down on my knees because I was so tired and yet so happy to be done. I had nothing left in me. I looked up when I heard my name being screamed for the entire world to hear -- it was Layla!

There she was, a foot in front of me, hollering my name, grinning the brightest smile on her face, holding her arms extended with my 5th marathon medal and the biggest hug. I was so out of it when she jumped in front of me, but I do know this is THE coolest way to end a race ever!!

SO HAPPY TO SEE LAYLA!

Layla got me a space blanket (with which I covered my mouth and gagged under a few times because I didn't want to have the slightest chance of puking on her), she quickly grabbed me water, and she helped me walk over to the people cutting off our timing chips. I felt like I was truly, wholehearted taken care of at this race, and it's all thanks to Layla. No one has ever given me personal support at the end of a race -- they always just herd us off down the line like cattle. Layla took the time to hug me, congratulate me, make sure I was okay and stable and getting my senses back, boost my spirits, and chat with me for a good 15 minutes even though I was a smelly, sweaty, incomprehensible wreck. She's truly one of the greatest friends anyone could ask for ... and, not to mention, a pro athlete catcher (she just did this same job at the Kona Ironman championships! :)

I was in the best of hands at this race thanks to her, no doubt about it.

Layla & me in front of the Capitol.

Katie and me after running our hearts out.

All of us reuniting on the Capitol's lawn.

BAM.
After the race, my friends who were there and I all met up, rehashed our tales, helped each other see clearly and reaffirm that we all kick ass, and headed off to breakfast. The whole morning I couldn't help but look around me and realize that I have some of the best friends in the entire world... both in front of me, and via the text messages/emails/Facebook messages/tweets I received all morning from people tracking my progress. The support of the running community boggles my mind... I am not worthy.

Refueling at Tower Cafe

Post-race thoughts

With that, I did not make my A+ goal (3:33:xx). However, I did make my A goal (3:39 or faster). Never ever ever in my short-legged life did I think I'd run close to an 8-minute mile... let alone 26.2+ of them in a row without a break. But I did it. And I'm eager to do it again -- only I'm going to get that 3:33 next time. I think, after five tries, I might have caught the marathon bug. (Or maybe I'm still just on a runner's high.)

I set nearly a 9-minute PR. I negative split a marathon for the first time. I ran my shortest marathon to date. I never stopped to walk -- not even through the water stops. I realized I have the best support around me. I realized I can do this.

2011 has been a year that has flown by, but not without its major discoveries. I've learned that it's okay to put goals out there; it's okay to dream big, run long, and push to the point of discomfort. I've learned it's okay to fail, it's okay to admit shortcomings, and it's okay to try and try and try again.

I came into 2011 wanting to run a marathon in 4 hours, and wanting to do so after building up into a fall/winter race. I ended up accidentally getting it early on in the year, and that instilled in me a level of confidence I never knew I had. I dreamed of 4 hours, and I got 3:35.

Naturally, I couldn't do any of this without the greatest support in the world -- the people who push me, believe in me, run with me, listen to me, talk with me, and advise me. I couldn't (and probably wouldn't) do this without the greatest friends anyone could ever imagine having: The Running Community -- Bay Area and beyond. Thank you all for believing in me.


Race stats

Garmin time: 26.27 miles, 3:35:44 -- 8:12 pace (7.3 mph)

Official time: 26.2 miles, 3:35:45 -- a 8:29 PR!
Average pace: 8:12 (7.3 mph)
Overall place: 1,406 out of 5,755
Gender place: 321 out of 2,484
Age/Gender place: 60 out of 350
Air temp: 43F

Splits:
1: 8:24
2: 8:28
3: 8:23
4: 8:28
5: 8:12
6: 8:12
7: 8:11
8: 8:11
9: 8:10
10: 8:07
11: 8:08
12: 8:04
13: 8:06 (first half: 1:48)
14: 8:11
15: 8:20
16: 8:10
17: 8:04
18: 8:11
19: 8:07
20: 8:07
21: 8:07
22: 8:07
23: 8:21
24: 8:20
25: 8:22
26: 8:13
.27: 2:02/7:23 pace (second half: 1:47)

44 comments:

  1. Congrats on your PR and an awesome run.
    I WAS one of those runners high-fiveing all the kids but I was just praying to finish my first marathon without dying somewhere on the course. I am still alive.
    Love the nail painting. How come I haven't thought of that?

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  2. Great run and wonderful PR! Congratulations! Good report as well!

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  3. Wow, awesome job, congrats! I'd say 2011 was pretty good, and amazing what that bit of confidence did!

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  4. That is SO awesome!!!! Congratulations to you for running such a SMART race. I am a huge fan of having a strong race plan and sticking to it. You did just that.

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  5. Congratulations on a fantastic race!! And that was such a wonderful, uplifting race report to read! Well done.

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  6. LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!!!!!!!!!

    You are just incredible :) I am so unbelievably impressed :) I was smiling so wide all day on Sunday for you :)

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  7. AWESOME RUN! Congrats to you.

    I also had the BEST marathon of my life at this race. Wonderful support and great course.

    The only problem I see is that your profile says you are an average runner. Um. no.. 8)

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  8. Congratulations on a hard fought race, and a well earned PR! We seriously went nutty everytime we saw you go by. The fact that you missed us at the finish is only a sign of how focused you really were.... because we all went nuts for you :)

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  9. Could not be more proud of my beautiful friend :-)

    xoxo-
    Jana

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  10. I'm so happy for you A! You really worked for this one, love the info about the mental game and pacing strategy. Rock on!

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  11. Wowzers! That are some consistent splits. It's like looking at a perfect race plan. The mental miles are always the toughest. Way to fight through to the finish! Props to the runner, props to the support crew and another props to the runner... you smashed it!

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  12. YOU KILLED IT A!! Sounds like the day was perfect and you meant to run this!!

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  13. How great do you look in all these pics. CIM was a walk in the park for you!

    Seriously though, congratulations on that 9-min PR. Those splits are amazing, considering your first marathon was not so long ago. Gimme your secrets ... I know you worked so hard for this, and your 3:33/BQ is just around the corner.

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  14. You are AWESOME! What a great post. Congrats!

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  15. What a great recap! I'm so sad I was out of town and unable to come cheer :( You did an AMAAAAAZING job out there!!! Ahhh!!!!!! Funny because I have no recollection of much of CIM, either. Can't tell you much about the scenery or anything at that race. Must be one of those, put-you-in-the-zone races. I can't wait to see where all of this kick ass running confidence takes you next year. <3

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  16. This is such an amazing race report! I'm so happy for you and SO proud of you for going for it. Racing all-out can be one of the most intimidating and scary things. You freaking KILLED it. Fly on this high for a long time sister, you deserve it. xoxo

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  17. Oh, just MAKE ME CRY AT MY DESK, why dontcha? What an awesome race.

    You inspire me to dream bigger.

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  18. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your race and recap were truly inspiring and SO much fun to read! I am so impressed with your run! You make me want to run another! :)

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  19. Congrats congrats congrats!! I can't believe how much you've improved this year...I mean, I CAN, but holy goodness it's been a GREAT year for you! So so so good...such a smart race, too! Negative splits and staying strong at the end of a marathon is super hard...and you nailed it. I can't wait to see what 2012 holds for you!

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  20. This brought tears to my eyes. I am so, so proud of you. 2011 has been the best year for running, hasn't it? HUGS

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  21. Awesome running! So happy for you to have another PR! You did great. Great race report!

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  22. wow congratulations! You had such an amazing race! I should've noticed flames or wings on you when you whizzed by me on the course. :)

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  23. NO LONGER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!!!

    you know it. You were way more successful at following a pacing plan designed by XLMIC than I was....I envy your pacing abilities!

    Loved the whole post. You've got a million people rooting for you, as I saw from your 6,045894,99 "likes" on your fb post for this race :)

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  24. love reading this fantasic report
    congratulations to you!
    Roserunner is right no more average for you!

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  25. rock solid execution, look at those splits! congrats on a HUGE PR!!!

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  26. A is for AMAZING. Way to go, Alyssa! You are fantastic! And I agree with you whole-heartedly about Layla -- she rocks!

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  27. So happy for you & happy I got to hang out with you this weekend! :)

    You're my new marathon mentor & my 2012 goal is to be able to keep up with you. ;)

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  28. New to your blog, love it! Congrats on the amazing time :)

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  29. Wow, what a race!!!

    It literally sounds like you ran the race as perfect as you can get! Your mile splits are just so consistent.

    It's weird, I've read like 4 or 5 race reports from this years CIM, and all of them have a huge PR and they all seem to have ran a perfect race.

    Congrats on the huge PR, and I have no doubt that you have a 3:33 in you!

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  30. CONGRATS!!!!!!
    Love your pacing strategy.
    You'll have that 3:33 in NO time at all!

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  31. Well done, Alyssa! You are certainly NOT average anymore!!!! :-)

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  32. I think I've told you this already, but it needs to be said again: You are amazing. You had such consistent pacing and you just kept going -- like an energizer bunny only much cuter and with cooler shoes!! ;-)
    I am SO happy I got to share your finish. Seriously, I was waiting with such excitement for you that I can barely remember most of it. LOL! I hope I didn't squeeze your last breath of air out of you when I hugged you...

    2012 is going to ROCK! And 2013 will see you in Boston!

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  33. AHHHHHHHHHHHH CONGRATS! :) i loved reading this and i am so happy that i got to share your amazingness with you. you inspire me and i hope i can run like you some day! and you just kick ass, 3:35 or not. congrats again.

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  34. Great work out there--- awesome recap and love seeing those 8s on your splits.... nice.... Congrats on a great marathon!

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  35. A, you are nothing short of AMAZING! I am so impressed with your confidence, your execution, your "fight"!

    Congratulations!!!

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  36. Congrats on such a huge accomplishment and such an incredible year!

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  37. amazing and inspiring! you've had a killer year and come so far. congratulations!!

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  38. I'll tell you again that you are AWESOME. I don't know if I ever told you, but your blog was one of the first running blogs I ever came across. I had never heard of Marathon Maniacs until I read about it on your blog. Seriously. You inspire me, thank you! :)

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  39. Best mantra ever... can I use this magic and your magic on a warm up run? You push me to achive my own goals just through your own obvious determanation, the chant is only going to help.. From running, and everything else that seems to at times get a little to hectic in life. You are amazing and I am coming to the conclusion that you are not human.

    P.S.. Layla is so damn awesome!

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  40. Very Impressive A! Congratulations on the PR and glad you are out of the burnout fog!!!

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  41. I'm sorry that I'm so late to comment!

    I love this recap so much!! And I'm so excited for you! ...I think this means you're officially over your running burnout. ;)

    Your splits were so consistent. Although I've tried, I've never actually negative split a marathon - it's so hard to do!! But I agree, taking those first miles easy and having to speed up at the end sure beats going out super fast and having to crawl your way to the finish line. You ran such a smart race and it was exciting to read about. Not being able to remember much of the course is a sure sign of how focused you were.

    Congratulations A!! You've had a great year for running. I hope you're still riding the marathon high!

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  42. Alyssa - sorry this is late but this is amazing. Look how far you've come in 2011 and look at those negative splits. I'm so proud of you and know that next year you are pretty much going to kick all of our asses.

    Amazing work!

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  43. OMG! THis is amazing!! Congratulations!!!

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