Why Yes I Am Alive and Marine Corps Marathon Recap

Let's start off with a Penny and Bruno photo, since I am pretty sure that is the reason why anyone reads this blog!!!

the pups

I am looking forward to trying and blog more often.  I am not sure why I was gone for so long, but I think some of it has to do with my new job this year and working longer hours.  What I missed most was reading everyone's blogs and talking to everyone else through my blog! 

Since this is a blog about running marathons....

October 30th, 2011 I ran the Marine Corps marathon.  I originally planned to run this and shoot for sub 3:10, but very sadly I was injured much of this summer.  I didn't start running again until the first week of August, after doing lots of strengthening exercises at Physical Therapy.  I was thrilled to run again, but really did not expect to run the race in October.  I like to have a long time to build up a base and prepare for my race.  However, in my previous post I ran a half-marathon PR in Erie (1:29:05) and that convinced me to follow through with the race, especially since my friends Leslie and Kate were running it for the first time ever!

All in all, I am very glad I ended up doing the race.  It was a beautiful day and I ran much of the race with Kate, Leslie, and even Charlie!  I felt absolutely fantastic the first 15 miles.  I felt so light and running was so easy.  Around mile 3, both Kate and Leslie came up from behind.  We ran together for a long time.  Those first 15 flew by and we really enjoyed taking it all in together.  My friend Charlie actually dropped back with us, so at one point all four of us were running together.

Having too much fun together

 
My knee started to ache soon after.  Around mile 21, Leslie sped up and I fell back.  The last few miles were agonizing.  I was running so wierdly on my knee, I was pretty much dragging it!  I was discouraged because the first 20 miles I was at around 3:06 pace and it felt SO GOOD and SO EASY.  I kept telling myself that since the first 20 were so good I could still run pretty poorly and get a decent time.  I didn't even expect myself to run the race a few weeks earlier.

Face of pain

Thankfully, I made it through and finished in 3:14:19.  That is 37 seconds off my best, so I really wish now that I tried to push it a little more at the end...but not so sure that I could.

Leslie and I at the finish

Kate, Leslie, Leslie's friend Sabine and I entered in the team division.  We were "Pittsburgh's Smoking 4" and we came in as the fourth women's team.  However, the three teams that beat us were the Air Force, Marine, and Army teams.  I am okay with losing to them.

sparkly headband bought at the expo - $5

One of my favorite things about this race was my specially selected racing attire.  I loved the pink overkill.  The arm warmers were fantastic, especially at the start when it was 35 degrees. 

In addition to running the race with my friends, I got to visit my twin at his apartment Saturday night and stay overnight at my best friend's apartment right across the street from the Pentagon City Mall.  I love her place.  However, that was not totally planned.  We were going to just leave Saturday morning, since we had the dogs to look after.  My dad called at 8pm Friday night and said a snowstorm was moving in.  We threw all our things in a suitcase and left immediatly.  My parents dog sat and we got to Caitlin's apartment at 2:00 am.  A little past my bedtime, but it was awesome to stay with her.  Another unexpected event was the tick Jordan had to get removed at the UrgetCare down the road. Sorry, I did not photograph the tick.  We managed to take care of that on our way to the Expo.

with my twin at his apartment

What is next you may ask?  Starting one week from today my official training for The Boston Marathon begins!  I am excited to begin and try chasing a PR there.  I have heard that it can be pretty hilly, so I have been doing hill repeats once a week to prepare.  I am hoping it is not so hilly that it makes it unrealistic to try for a PR here.

If you have run Boston before, any advice?

We missed you all!