Happy Global Running Day!! You guys, this week has been quite the whirlwind. But I am back from my long weekend in beautiful San Diego, California! I almost did not want to come back to Dallas because I was having so much fun. Anyway, let’s recap the marathon a bit, shall we?
I flew into San Diego on Saturday and immediately made my way to the expo to get my goodies. Of course I had to stop at the Brooks Running center to check out the latest and greatest in running gear.
I even ran into my homeboy Meb, fantastic super human Olympian! I met him in Dallas at a UCan event years ago so it was great to hang with him again for a bit.
And alas my running blogger boos Fallon and Mai! We have been reading each others blogs for a while now so it was so great to run into them. Hashtag I’m kind of jealous that they are originally from California and get to run here all of the time.
The next morning I got my bib on and made my way out to Balboa Park. It was a 6:15 a.m. start which is pretty early but with the time change I was wide awake and ready to get going.
I started things off just running by feel, since honestly I did not know what to expect with this race. As most of you know I just ran the 50 miler a few short weeks ago, and have been keeping my weekly mileage fairly high. I knew for sure I was in better shape than when I ran this same marathon last year. So I expected to hopefully have a faster time than last year. But as far as a legit PR, I was doubtful. The full marathon course is tough, going up an intense hill at mile 23 that is basically relentless. A lot of people choose the half over the 26.2 distance for this race because of that very hill. But, I was ready to take on the challenge since I’ve been doing lots of hill training.
The first half of the race I ran pretty conservatively, finishing at the half mark at 1:49 and some change. After the half mark there are some elevation changes and eventually we end up in Mission Bay, which is a great view of the beach and lots of folks out there to cheer us on. I was starting to feel tired around this point which was after mile 18 or so but I kept on trucking because I knew that giant hill up the highway was coming.
On the highway lots of folks start walking but I just kept my head down and knew it would be over soon. Then the course kind of does a bit of a downhill on back into downtown. Lots of spectators here. I looked down at my watch and saw that I had plenty of time and I was actually going to PR. What a thrill that was! I was definitely not expecting to run my fastest ever marathon on this course. Hallelujah. All of the blood sweat and tears is paying off.
3:45:40 finish, 8:37 pace, feeling good feeling great. On a hard ass course! Hey buddy, I will take it.
Celebration with wine was definitely in order. Cheers to life.
How was your weekend? What are you looking forward to this upcoming weekend?
Pool time, some hot runs in the sun and catching up with friends. Bring on summer.
thedancingrunner 
Congrats on your PR! That’s such an accomplishment.
I also had a half-marathon PR this weekend!
I’m definitely looking forward to my Chicago training this summer & getting out on the boat whenever possible.
Sweet!! Congrats to you as well!
Way to PR, that’s awesome!
Thx!
Congrats, nice PR!
This past weekend was very rainy in Dallas! Hopefully this coming weekend will be better pool weather. I’m running the Wounded Warrior half on Sunday, will definitely earn myself a pool day!
Aw, in my ‘hood eh? Good luck and stay cool!
That’s awesome!! Congrats on your PR! 😁
Thanks so much Ashley!! It feels good to run a strong 26.2!
Congratulations on the PR!
Thank you boo!
It was great meeting you this past weekend and congratulations again on the PR. That’s such fantastic news. What’s next on your agenda?
I’ve got some shorter summer races in mind (half marathons, 5k etc) but the 100k distance is something I’d like to tackle in the fall! Missing my trail ultras 🙂 I’d like to also do another marathon too so I’ll probably throw one in the mix as ultra training. Have fun in Vegas and whatever else you have planned! RnR Vegas is a super fun race.
Thanks! Have you ever done the Big Sur marathon? I’m thinking about trying for the lottery, but wasn’t sure I could tackle all those hills. Haha
Oh you can do it girl! I have friends who have done it. I probably wouldn’t do that one to PR…I’d be too busy in awe and taking nature pics the entire way! LOL
Yes for sure! I would never try to PR that one. It’s too scenic to. Haha
Awesome PR! Congrats! It was awesome meeting you at the expo. I hear the full was brutal. Happy running!
The half is a super easy course and perfect for a PR. I think you PR’d too on the half if I saw correctly, so congrats!
Awesome race with a new PR, congratulations!!!! Super excited for you and so well earned on a tough course!! My weekend, you might have read was not so good, with my first ever DNS after completing a full cycle of marathon training…doesn’t get much worse than that and I’m now 3+ weeks of not running and going nuts…hopefully things will resolve soon.
Oh I know how it is mentally especially to not be running, but do what you have to do to rest and get back out there!! You are doing the right thing. Stay positive and definitely shoot me a note if you need to vent! Take care 🙂
Is the San Diego rock and roll a good one? I have thought about doing it but someone told me at one point it was a hot mess and not put together very well, which seemed off because I have run 2 rock and roll races and they were both very well done. If it is good I would love to run it cause I have family in LB so it would be an easy race to travel to for me. Thanks for the info!
Run the half. LOL but seriously though. The full is not an ideal course for a PR at all. I just so happened to PR I believe because it was fairly cool that morning. If you’re looking for a good full marathon, run Chicago, the Marine Corps Marathon, I’ve also heard great things about St. George in Utah. Or, come to Texas and run the Dallas Marathon with me! 😉
All them are on my list to do eventually. Girl you would cross the finish line literally HOURS before me hahahaha. But when i do make it up there I’ll let you know. My brother is in Houston so Texas is a definite for me just depends on when