Saturday was the big day. I was completely ready for this marathon. I had thought I was mentally tough enough to crush it but I was wrong. My training wasn't as consistent as it should've been and I somehow managed to let myself think that I was ready. At mile 11 I completely shutdown, accepted that I would dnf, and managed to make it to the 13.1 mile marker. My average pace at the 8.5 mile marker was 8:05. But at mile 9 I started to feel the downhill in my quads which felt like they were being torn up. It was quite defeating especially as the marathon is reputed as a fast downhill course.
Amber Green, the Utah mom who qualified for he Olympic trials inspired me by her journey. She is such an amazing role model and showed me to this blog. So, here I go!
My first marathon was Grandmas Marathon in Minnesota this year (June 2016). I finished in 4:05. My only goal was to finish. I was sore after and told myself I wouldn't do another marathon. I then signed up two weeks later for Revel. I set a different goal for myself, to finish under 3:30. The combination of inconsistency in training, high altitude, and quad crushing downhills made for quite the learning experience though, the kind that many seasoned runners have told me I eventually will face. I spent 10 hours yesterday driving from Utah to Los Angeles kicking myself. I was so upset with myself that I didn't at least finish the race. The long drive home on a Sunday with no medal was tough, but it was a bittersweet 10 hours. I made a resolve to try again.
Here I am now, on this blog. I would like to try at it again in the Spring. This time, I will adequately recover, rededicate myself to train, be strict with what I eat, and most of all prioritize running in my life.
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