My Training
I usually use Runners World's Smartcoach training for my race training programs. I like the programs because they give you pace level and distance for each run, and the pace and time expected for your race. I have been researching other programs, but I keep coming back to this one. Stick with what you know, I guess.
I worked on a 20 week program based on my half marathon time at the Bluenose. The program had me completing my marathon in 4:36. That is if I had completed all my training runs in the prescribed times. It gave me enough weeks that if I needed to skip some runs, I'd still have time to make them up. My downfall was going to be that my long runs were going to have to be on Thursday nights after work.
My training started ok for the first 6 weeks or so. I was able to get in a few good long runs. I worked my way up to 33km in this time. And then the summer heat, and the two full time jobs kicked into high gear and the whole thing went to hell. It was another 5 weeks before I could get anywhere near a 20km run. I ran the Maritime Race Weekend half Marathon. It wasn't a great run, I got pretty sick about 1/2 way through. But it was distance. It was still faster than my best half last year, so I was ok with it.
My last long run was about 18 days before my race. It was supposed to be a 32km run, but I was only able to get 27km in.(Added 11/1/13 One of the reasons why this particular long run was harder than normal was that I was doing it on my own. Every one of my really long runs, I had Courtney there at home on the other end of my texts, "10 km left 90 minutes". "5 km left 40 minutes. Mostly walking". "3 km left come meet me". I didn't realize how much I appreciated these texts until this 27km run and I was all by myself) After this run, I wasn't sure whether I was ready to run 42.2km or not.
All in all, I was not happy with this running cycle at all. I didn't get in the miles that I needed to. And I will admit that I could have done more to get the miles in, but I did put other things first. None of which deserved to be put before running.
The plan at this point was that I could back out on race day and just run the half if I didn't think I could do it.
Pre Race Week
The plan this week was to eat 100% clean, and then in the 4 days before the race to eat 200-300 grams of carbs. This worked absolutely perfectly. Plan. Plan. Plan. Don't try anything new. Eat the same thing everyday if I have to. Get in the carbs. The downfall was going to be at the campground and not eating the junk that I normally eat. I planned it out. I brought what I needed. It was late in the camping season so I was able to get two good nights sleep on Friday and Saturday. I did cheat and had some beer on Friday night. But that's just more carb, right? RIGHT?
Over Friday and Saturday I had decided that if I felt good on Sunday, I was going to go for it.
Race Day
My gear is all ready. My alarm went off. I got up. Got my coffee. And away I went. It took me an hour to get there. I had to make a pit stop at the Irving. I got to Acadia and picked up my race kit. Really nice jackets and a fleece lap blanket was in the race kit.
My plan was to keep up with the 4:30 pace bunny for as long as possible. The goal was 5 hours. Take a Gu every hour and drink only water.
There was no 4:30 pace bunny. ACK! There wasn't even a 2:30 half pace bunny I could stay with. The slowest pace bunny was a 2:20 half. So that's where I stayed. Oh. For about 10 minutes. Once I started running I realized I had too many Gu's in my spi belt and it was bouncing up and down and pissing me off. There was no way that I was going to be able to run for 5 hours like that. I had to put some in my bra. So I lost some time. And the 2:20 pacer.
So, I spent the first 12 km running with half runners. Picking them off one at a time. At the 12 km mark, all the half runners turned around, and I kept going. And going. And going. I didn't see anyone for a long time. The first person I saw was the 50km leader. That was about the 16km mark. Then I started seeing runners on their way back. Both Full and 50km runners.
I hit the 18km mark and hurt my hip. The roads were very sloped on the left side. I've had problems with that hip and leg before and running on sloped roads like that is pretty painful. That's the only time the whole race that I had doubt that I was going to finish. "Oh, crap. I've hurt myself and I haven't even done the first half. Then I have to do that all over again. I don't think I'm going to make it."
The turn around point was at about 22.5km. And I started to make my way back to Wolfville. It also didn't take me long at this point to realize that I was the last runner. It also didn't take me long to realize that they were packing up the water stops. EEK!
(This is the second time I'm writing the following part. I lost it in an app accident. Which really sucks because I was really happy with how it went. The second time around won't be as good.)
I'd hit a water station and they'd make sure I had enough water to drink, enough in my water bottle, enough Gu's (More than enough. Thanks), speak some encouraging words and send me on my way. They'd pack up the water station and then the lead would meet me at the next water station. Then the Assistant Race Director joined in (At least I think that's who I was told he was). He was driving to the next water station, bringing me back water and making sure I was ok.
When I had about 18km left, the Ultra Bicycle Lead rider came back to keep me company to the finish. It turned out it was a fellow twitter runner. The medical truck showed up shortly after that to make sure I was doing ok. And the ARD kept bringing me water. I was also texting Courtney as she was going to run the last couple of km's with me. I had so much moral support, there was no way I couldn't finish.
As we made our way back to the Acadia track, my entourage dropped off to allow me to complete the 3/4 lap around the track to the cheers of the volunteers and the spectators that were still around. It was pretty emotional to run around that track completing something that only 1% of the population ever do. I didn't cry, although I was close (Courtney said she'd disown me if I cried).
I finished. In 5 hours and 39 minutes. An 8:06 pace. (Sometimes I can't even hit that pace in a 10k training run, let alone 42.2k) So, I'm impressed.
After the Race
I had training runs harder than that. Why? Because of adrenaline. Because of having a great support team. Because I spent a week eating well. I spent a week sleeping well. Because my training runs were run in the heat of the summer and after 8 hours of work.
As the last person coming in, I received a bottle of wine and a really nice print from the artist who designed the logo, and medal for the race this year. They are very nice. I followed up the race with a massage.
I appreciate so much the moral support given to me as I ran my race, that I've decided I have to pay back. I won't race Valley next year. I will volunteer.
What I Learned
I don't train well in the summer. 2 full time jobs. The heat. Rural running. Alcohol.
I race a better time with a pacer.
I need to start eating and sleeping better
A Marathon finish is easy if you put in the miles.
A fast marathon finish is a lot of hard work.
***I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff that I included the first time. If it's important I will add it after.
And PS: in case you weren't paying attention. Those are Gu Gels in my bra.
