4:34:36 Time
13:59 Pace
Race Report Summary
1. This is the 4th longest distance I have run (The marathon I ran and 2 ~20 mile training runs were longer.)
2. Heat is my weakness. There was never a time during the winter where the cold prevented me from running outside, but today I questioned if I should do a 3rd loop because of the heat.
3. I need to correlate fueling and the weather. I thought I was taking more water/Gatorade than I needed but it wasn't enough in this heat. Better yet, maybe I shouldn't run in this weather.
4. I did a fair amount of walking. That's ok in trail running, right?
5. Scott Jurek showed up!
Long version
The Holiday Marathon Series Overview
The Easter Marathon is part of the Holiday Marathon series. For those don't know, these races are funded by a few local runners. The races are unusual in that there are no fees (though organizers do ask for small donations) and its self timed (you put your name and time in a book at the end). The races typically begin at 10AM, but people are welcome to start earlier and people who are late can start late. The course is a 6.55 mile loop (1/4 marathon or about a 10K). Many do a loop, some do 2, 3 or 4 for a full marathon and a person recently did 5, an ultra. I have done the Thanksgiving half (the first one in the series) and the Valentines half (in snow). I also really like how all running levels are present. Based on prior finish times, some people run the the half faster than some people run the 10K and shortly after my second loop someone finished a marathon.
Breakfast
For breakfast, or rather during the 4 hour period between the time I woke up and the race began, I had about 2 bananas, some Gatorade, a smoothie (soy milk, juice, banana, strawberries, raspberries), small coffee, some OJ, 8oz water and a homemade Chia energy bar. Typically I have egg whites and cheese on whole wheat toast, but I am doing the 21 Day Vegan Kickstart. Maybe this wasn't enough for me, I don't know.
Pre Race
Scott Jurek showed up! Some people got their picture with him. I hear he is a low key guy but he didn't seem to mind the attention. I heard he was just having a casual day and did 2 loops. I didn't see him on the course, though atleast one other person saw him. I also chatted with my friend Tracy and some people she knew.
Loop 1 6.55 Miles 1:26:29 Time 13:12 Pace (This time should probably be about 2-3 minutes less due to a phone/timer issue)
Most of the first loop I ran with Tracy, who ran the 14.2 Manhattan Training Run with me last September. Since that was my longest race to date, I was very nervous going into it, but it went well. Basically the opposite of this race. The first loop I felt great, I picked up my pace when hitting hills, and took it easy at times. We just chatted and at times enjoyed the scenery. During the loop, I probably had 2 8oz waters, a Gatorade Prime and 2 Cliff Shot gels. When I was done and was at the start/finish area, I poured some water on me, had a banana, a bite or two of my homemade Chia energy bar and another Prime and then loaded my bag up. I got a picture of Tracy crossing the finish line. She decided to do one loop, so I said goodbye and started on loop 2.
Loop 2 6.55 Miles 1:27:20 Time 13:20 Pace (This time should probably be about 2-3 minutes more due to a phone/timer issue)
This is a small race, and according to the website 323 people signed up, and many do the 10K. With Tracy calling it a day, the second loop was a bit lonely. That can be ok, but I needed some support on a day like this. The bunny ears I wore (and others runners as wore as well) did get some cars to honk and later on when the park was more crowded, some people and kids seemed to like which was encouraging. Some of the other runners who ran past me encouraged me as well but I still was falling apart and starting to walk. I ran most of this loop during 12-1 PM and it started getting hot. Really hot. When I finished, I didn't quite feel dizzy but I felt like I really needed to cool down. I sat down and poured some water on me, had some more Gatorade and a Prime. After sitting down for like five minutes (which is factored into my overall time) I decided to go for a third loop. I felt since the first part of course was in the shade I would be ok. Also, if I decided to leave, I still had a mile or so walk to do to get to the train. I was still nervous doing the third loop.
Loop 3 6.55 Miles 1:40:47 Time 15:23 Pace
I was hoping that some music would help calm me down. I realized I left my headphones in my bag at the start/finish area so I couldn't do that. About a mile or two into the loop, I noticed two women like 50 yards behind me. Except for a few people who flew by me, they were basically the only people I saw at a similar pace. They finally they caught up with me and we started chatting which helped me take my mind off things. One of them is doing the Bear Mountain/Northface Endurance Challenge half which I signed up for and did the Yonkers Marathon last year. I did the half and its a small race. I even noticed her in one of my pictures I took of Scott Jurek surrounded by people. Pretty random. The other apparently ran a 100 mile ultra. Unfortunately I had to start walking and they kept running. After walking a bit, I ran a little and then continued to walk even more. At mile 5 or so, Michael, one of the race organizers caught up with me and we chatted a bit. Nice guy and apparently he ran a full marathon though he started earlier. He was clearing up some course markers. After talking a bit he took off. After some running and a lot of walking I finally made it to the finish. I got a picture of me with an award (the awards were stuffed animals) by the marathon sign, chatted a bit (the two women were there,) left my donation and did the mile or so walk to the train, drank more water and headed home.
Post Race
When I got home I felt drained. I was also hungry and I had some leftover pasta. My legs were burning earlier but now they are ok, though I still feel drained. I also still feel hot. Maybe its a sunburn, though my skin isn't sensitive to touch, but we will see on tomorrow. I could also be somewhat dehydrated. I am not a person who runs well in the heat. I felt fine doing the Valentines half in the cold. I was wearing a jacket, gloves, hat and pants. I couldn't overheat. I actually ran the Thanksgiving half faster than the first 2 loops in this race. The heat was a factor but I still might not be fully recovered from my marathon a month ago.
Conclusion
I am happy I got 3 loops. I really wanted to get 3 loops and I think if I didn't I would have regretted it. I pushed myself but I also was somewhat cautious.
Pictures I took (the websites have others)
The Easter Marathon
The Valentines Marathon
The Thanksgiving Marathon (the quality isn't good)
Scott Jurek
Start
The Easter Bunny
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