P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Full Marathon

Adam and I at race start

So, Kate updated you all on the 1/2, and I thought I would post an update of the full marathon.  This was my second full marathon and I have to say that it went much better than my first!  My husband, Adam, agreed to run it with me.  Adam is not a runner.  He's a soccer player and he started a new job last year so training didn't really happen.  As a result, we decided to do a 5-2 minute run/walk pattern. 

The race started about a half hour late (apparently the changes to the course and reliance on the light rail made it hard for everyone to get to the start line).  Adam and I got off to a good start.  I made sure that we strictly follow our run/walk pattern.  I was feeling great.  Around mile 11, Adam started flagging.  Our run pace was starting to slow and our walk section took a little longer to end.  I ended up getting a few minutes ahead of Adam by the 13.1 mile mark.  So, when he caught up to me at that point--he told me to go ahead and so I did (I felt a bit like a bad wife at that point).

The second half of the race continued to go well for me.  I felt really good until about mile 22.  I ran in some new compression socks and they really seemed to help keep my legs fresh and free from cramping (I usually cramp up around mile 10 in a half marathon).  At that point, my feet were really tired and I started slowing down.  I kept up with the 5-2 pattern and I finished strong.  After I collected my stuff, I went back up the course to find Adam.  Once I found him, I helped him run/walk him in the last mile to the finish--that's right I ran/walked an extra two miles (I felt like a much better wife at that point)!


I finished in 5:17 and I really think I could improve on that time (though my time on Sunday was nearly a full 30 minutes faster than my first marathon). More importantly, I wasn't freaking out about the race.  I was calm and I had no doubt that I would finish. 

I haven't really been training for the full marathon distance.  I ran a half in December and a 10k on January 1, but nothing longer.  I really don't think that running the distance is as important as doing consistent cardio and strength training. 

I also think that I will be able to finish the marathon at the end of the Ironman with at least a little bit of running.  Now, I just need to get a century ride in so that I can really get a feel for being on the bike that long. 


Next up--Ragnar in February and the Phoenix 1/2 marathon in March!