Monday, October 28, 2013

MCM Race Recap!

Weeks leading up to this race I began questioning what my true goal was going to be.  When I signed up for MCM my original goal was to use this as a fun race.  But then when I started training I switched back and forth between wanting to go for a PR vs. the experience.  It truly came down to race day morning.

 This was such an emotional race for me and made me see the big picture .. these young men and women are THANKING ME and cheering for ME when I should be thanking them for all that they do for us and our country!!!  Before the race even started I was crying! 

The blessing was my hubby was able to ride the shuttle from Crystal City with me to the start of the race and hung out with me in the Runner's Village.  I NEEDED him there!  I have felt very "alone" this training cycle so it was very nice to have him with me at the start.  We walked a short way to the race start area and he was able to stand to the side near me until the cannon went off to start the 38th MCM.

 
 
 
AMAZING!!
 
The start of this race was like no other marathon I have ever experienced!  The singing of the National Anthem and the skydivers/parachutes with gigantic American flags was breath taking. 

Since there really weren't corrals I lined up in the 3:20 - 3:39 area but somehow ended up closer to the 3:15 pace group once the race started.  I was very surprised how crowded the first 4-6 miles of the race was and I felt like I was going way to fast for my liking.  I got tripped at mile 2.5 because someone kicked my heel and thank God I did not fall because that would have been a disaster!!!  The first few miles the wheelchair racers were one the right side of the course so everyone was yelling "move to the left, wheels on the right".

  I decided not to look at my Garmin at all from this point on because when I saw a 6:58 mile I decided to go by feel and not stress over my pace! I knew my hubby would be around mile 10 so I kept my eyes peeled for him.  I was doing OK at that point and felt pretty good...I stuck to drinking Gatorade at the early water stations before switching over to water.  I also saw Bart Yasso around mile 11 cheering all of us runners on which was pretty awesome!

I again saw my hubby at mile 16 and was starting to feel a little crappy at this point ... I decided to use a honey stinger gel at mile 18.  That seemed to help get me to mile 20ish but then ...TMI ALERT ...Being a female I had to take care of a girly issue around mile 20-21 and just couldn't recover after that moment!  Thank goodness for port-a-potties. 

We were in Crystal City at this point and I kept trying to get out of my head but I gave up at this point and just focused on finishing...and looking forward to my goal race in December.  I really wish I would have taken pictures along the course because it was absolutely gorgeous!  The signs for all the fallen soldiers,  the section of all blue in support of Boston, the encouraging signs all over...the list goes on and on!  Here are some of my hubby's pictures during the race:

 

 
 

Pace Car for lead runner!
Lead Runner and Winner!
Best Medal Crew EVER!

And yes I cried at the finish but it was because of my gratitude for these Marines!  In the end they are my heroes and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to experience such an EPIC event! 




Super proud!
 
I finished with a 3:30:24 and I am ok with that .. I walked A LOT the final 4 miles .. I now know what I need to do for my goal race and I will get my secret time I want.  This race helped me realize I am capable of reaching my goal.  I am surprised how tough this course was on my quads... and some how I ended up with close to 27 miles on my Garmin.  FYI:  It is very hard to run and cry at the same time!

The Finish Line goodies:

LOVE that they gave us bags for all our goodies!! I filled the bag with Gatorade, bottled waters, bananas, and sports beans!

Not the typical space blanket!
 They also gave us these awesome thermal jackets with a hood!  Love the back MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!
Upside down!
And a yummy goodies box filled with treats!

The Watermelon Princess
Plus the best watermelon I have ever tasted in my life... Not kidding!  I think I ate 3-4 containers. 

INSTAGRAMMED @DERUNNINGMOM
Who doesn't love a mini Dunkin Donuts after a race!  Oh yes...they also gave out Munchkins on the course around mile 22 I think but I did not partake in one.

And the post would not be complete without a picture of my favorite Mizuno Wave Sayonaras and Feetures compression socks!



A huge THANK YOU to the MCM and all the Marines involved in making my race day epic....You all are the true champions and heroes!  OOH-RAH!


Happy Running!

6 comments:

  1. Great Job! And Amazing Time!

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  2. I never knew the pace car was one of the duck boats! That's awesome!!!

    I agree that it was the best medal crew, ever. I loved all the Marines on every corner yelling at me like I was at boot camp with huge grins on their faces.

    Congrats!

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    1. Congrats on your race also! Yes that was priceless! They totally kept me motivated with their OOH-RAH's!

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  3. Your story touched me. Running is not always about doing a PR every race. There's so much more to the experience, and the way you recognised the marines is testimony to that.
    PS...I'm sure you'll get your secret PR! You sound super tough!

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    1. You made my day with your comment! Thank you! Races do go beyond just running and especially the Marine Corps Marathon!

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