Race Report: HFM Maritime Marathon

So, when we last left our heroine, she was pretty effing miserable.

She did what any runner would do. (We ARE all a little crazy). She sought redemption.

Seriously, I got home around dinner time on Sunday last week, and that night I was already searching for a do over. I knew my window of opportunity was rapidly closing (if not already slammed shut) since summertime weather is not conducive to marathon running, so I was in a hurry. Grandma's was bitter in the back of my throat, and I wanted to get rid of that taste.

Almost immediately, I found the inaugural HFM Maritime Marathon in Manitowoc, WI. Nearly as quickly, I checked the area weather. When I realized that it was significantly cooler than the surrounding areas, I was hooked. Good weather? Check. Tiny race? Check. Beautiful course? Check.

I couldn't get it out of my head.

Fast forward to Friday evening when I was dragging my husband 2 hours north of here to register at packet pick up. The people were so nice. The race organizers were all there, asking questions about me, giving us directions to the race start, and just being friendly and helpful. We left the Maritime Museum feeling good. We watched the bridge go up and a ship amble through. It felt SO MUCH like Duluth, it was uncanny. It felt right.

I spent Saturday night at my parents' place, and Sunday morning, my Dad drove me the hour to the start at the University of Manitowoc. There were about 400 runners - half running the full and half running the 2 or 4 person relay. I used a ridiculously clean port-o-potty. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. My Dad was going to hang out at the start and then meet me farther up the course. There was the National Anthem and a "3, 2, 1, GO!"

So my goals for the day were pretty loose. I wanted to NOT have my stomach be a part of the equation - I was trying Imodium again and paying close attention to my diet prior - and I wanted to finish feeling good.

The course was gorgeous. Simply stunning. We were running along the shore of Lake Michigan for most of the race, up through Two Rivers, and then back. We ran mostly on paved path next to the lake. The view was remarkable.

The race was small enough and easy enough to navigate that I got to see my Dad several times along the course. This was so fun! I'd look up, and there he was again!

The weather was humid but cool. We actually got sprinkled on to start, but no rain ever came of it. The first half of the race was just miles ticking off. I talked to so many people. I enjoyed seeing my Dad, and I enjoyed the beauty of the lake shore. The volunteers and spectators were outstanding. You'd never have known that this was the first year of this race - there were no real hitches I saw.

Once I got north of Two Rivers though, my wheels came off a bit. (Go here to see splits and a map.) I was running just under a 10 minute pace to this point, but once we veered away from the lake, I heated up quickly. Then the sun came out. For whatever reason, I couldn't seem to keep my breathing in check. I got a side stitch. I walked some.

Unfortunately for my time goals, things never really got better for me. From miles 15 to about 18, despite pretty spot on fueling, my right foot cramped up into a giant ball of pain. I finally got it to let go, but by then, the ball of my foot felt almost bruised. It still hurts today. I'd see my Dad and he'd remark that my time was slipping, and I'd let him know I was ok, but slowing down.

And I really WAS ok.

me, a para sailor, and some gorgeous background :)

I was chatty. I was smiling, so much that people were commenting on it. I was running happy. Was it a perfect day with all I am capable of? Nope. But I didn't care - I've never run a race like this, where everyone cared about everyone. Where the front runners coming back would yell, "Looking strong 202! Great job! Keep it up!" Usually, despite me cheering like crazy for the fasties, I hardly get a grunt in return. Not this day. EVERYONE was so encouraging to each other. I really loved that.

The last few miles were tough. But still fun. I was running with the same group for quite a while. One girl ran steady the whole way. I'd run past her, and she's pass me back when I walked. We started joking about it. We ended up finishing within a minute of each other. Another girl was running her first marathon, and I'd like to think I helped her feel a bit better (she was struggling a little) when I told her how impressed I was that she was going to break 5 hours on her first try. The volunteers were still so encouraging at the end, telling us they were proud of us and that we were doing great.

4:49:31

When it came down to the end, I was determined to cross in under 4:50. I barely made it. It seems a little crazy to be so far from my original time goal and still so happy and satisfied at the finish, but I had a great race, and a PR, and how can you NOT be happy with a PR? I gave what I could this day. I had an amazing time. And this gave me a lot of peace. Plus, my stomach never ever came into play. Perfect.

I'll still chase down 4:20, but it was a good run. I'm so glad I did it.