Erie Marathon at Presque Isle 09.14.14

Back in May, Liz ran the Nashville marathon, but wanted to run another one within a few months, so who does she get in touch with?  Me!  She knows I have a hard time saying no to a marathon road trip.  We decided on the Erie Marathon at Presque Isle.  I was worried about summer training and listened to my cardio doc's warnings.  I decided to keep up with marathon long runs, but do 5K speed work so I wouldn't have to do long intervals in the heat/humidity.  My tempo runs were shorter than usual, but I increased the intensity.  I had no idea how Erie would go after this training, but I didn't have a big goal.  After Carmel, I just wanted to feel good the entire race, so I set two goals - to run sub-4 and to not throw up.

Road trip!

Race days rolls around and temps were expected to be mid 50s for the entire race.  Can't complain about that!  Liz and I got there really early as advised and had no issues with traffic and parking, which is something I always worry about on race day.  Another thing I worry about is if I'll have time to go to the bathroom 2-3 times.  Well, 7:00 AM was approaching quickly and lines were so long.  I realized I'd have to forgo one last trip and just stop at the port-a-john I saw at the 5K mark.  Race starts and I realize I can get to it before mile 1, so I took advantage of the pit stop and still knocked out an 8:30 first mile!

Talk about pretty views!

To my surprise, I settled into a low 8 minute pace.  By mile 3, I knew it was going to be a good day.  I just felt calm and knew that God had some great stuff planned for me.  I have to admit I kept telling myself until mile 25 not to get ahead of myself, but then I would just reply to myself that I felt great and it was going to be a memorable day.   I realized a guy nearby was pacing a girl to 3:35, so I decided to just tuck in with them and see what happened.  My goal for the halfway mark was 1:50.  I figured 1:50 gave me a cushion to still go sub-4 if I started having issues, but it also put me in a good position if I was feeling good.  I hit halfway just under 1:47 and was feeling good so I decided to pick it up.

The course was beautiful (2-loop course with shade and water views), the volunteers were great (best ones I've ever seen at a race), and the miles continued to go by easily and I was passing people left and right, which was a huge mental boost.  I thought about my sweet Bella.  I thought about how Liz would be surprised to see me so early.  I thought about my friends who run so many miles with me.  I thought about how proud Jason and my family would be.  I thought about how life flourishes when you trust in God and the path he has planned for you.  These thoughts kept me moving.  I started to get tired, but knew I'd be close to 3:30, so I just kept pushing it and telling myself to keep moving.  I finished with the last mile in 7:45 and crossed the line in 3:31:02.  Mind blown. 

Happy girls!  Liz rocked a sub 3:27!  PRs and BQs for both of us!

I cried when I finished.  A year ago I wasn't sure how much I would be able to run going forward.  I was told that I would run slower and run shorter.  I thought that PRs and BQs were years away, if they ever happened again, but I have always kept a little sliver of hope.  It's amazing what happens when you trust in God, never lose hope, and then just run for the love of running.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Race notes:  Ran w/orange Amazon water in handheld; 3 honey stinger chews every other mile starting at mile 7; pancakes for lunch and pizza for dinner day before along with lots of water plus Amazon water with salt;  Gatorade day before and morning of; bread & PB plus cuties and part of Odwalla bar for pre-race breakfast.