Race Report: Med City Marathon

I almost didn't even write about this. The short and bittersweet? Another DNF for this girl. But the reality was way more sweet than bitter, and it IS my reality, so I'm unable to pretend it never happened...

I know I said I wasn't running a marathon this year. But a while back, Jamie at Running Diva Mom was giving away an entry to the Med City Marathon in Rochester, MN and I tossed my name into the hat. (And before we go any further, click thru and read her account of this race - she ran it with her fiance, and it was his first marathon. They rocked it!!)

As you can guess, I won the entry. And who am I to turn down a free race? Especially one that runs so near the Mississippi river valley and where I spent my later college years. I was in.

I totally non-trained for this race. I told very few people (until the end, when I let more people in on my plans). I had no time goals. I just wanted a strong race from start to finish that I enjoyed every step of. After running it, I feel like I was definitely trained enough to complete this well. Too bad that is not quite what happened...

I drove to Rochester on Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend. It was an easy trip, and I made it in time to check in to my hotel and walk a couple blocks to the Civic Center where packet pick up was being held and the 5k was just finishing up. This was also where the buses were leaving from the next morning, so it was nice to get myself familiar with the area. I got my stuff and wandered around the teeny expo for a few minutes and then headed back. I enjoyed a super quiet evening all by myself, ordering room service and watching the Hawks game.

I was up bright and early the next morning, and on the first bus to Byron, MN for the start. I made a friend on the bus and we chatted - her son was a patient at the Mayo Clinic and she was running to take her mind off things for a bit. It was sobering to talk to more than one parent of a sick kiddo before the race even started. It made me grateful for a lot in my life.

We got to hang out in the middle school, which was awesome because it was chilly outside. They had coffee and indoor bathrooms. I was a bit overzealous on the hydrating. I felt good, and even chatted with the pacers for a minute. I looked for Jamie, but we never did connect.

the start line - this was our perfect weather for the first 12 miles

After using the portopotties outside one last time, I finally decided to check my arm sleeves (ominous foreshadowing). It was near 50 degrees and overcast. I remembered to sunscreen like crazy (also ominous foreshadowing) and except for a little more wind than I like, the weather looked good. It was supposed to stay like this all day.

I chatted with another woman at the start line - a first time halfer who was nervous and excited. And also a marathon maniac who was well over 6 feet tall and I was joking and using him to block the cold wind. I wasn't even nervous - just ready to run! Soon we were off.

I settled in quickly with Dave, a local who was running the half. It was fun to distract ourselves from the miles, talking about our families, jobs, the area. He was getting on a plane that evening for Brazil, and wasn't looking forward to that flight!

There were 2 girls doing the Galloway we were leapfrogging. One was doing the half and one the full. We were joking around with them while they were near us. And 2 other guys who were both running their first full together - friends since college, one from the Minneapolis area and one living in DC. We were together for almost the entire first half (until about 10 when Dave dropped off the back) and it was nice to feel like part of a group for a while.

except the girl in blue, this was our crew for many miles

We were pretty determined to keep the pace in check, and together, we were doing a good job of staying steady and reigning ourselves in if it got too quick. The first half of the course looks way hilly on the elevation profile, but honestly it never felt that bad. My stomach and legs were all on board today, and I felt great for the entire first half.

guing at mile 11

At mile 12 or so, it started raining, just a little. It sucked when the wind would blow it into my face, but I was still doing ok. But it just kept getting steadier and steadier. The forecast said "chance of showers" so I was waiting for it to let up. That never happened.

At mile 14 I was starting to drag. I was having to talk myself into holding pace. I was cranky. During 15 I found the grossest potty with no toilet paper and peed for forever. (TOUGH while you are hovering!) But after that I was all proud of myself because I rallied for a while. I was feeling ok. I grabbed a twizzler from some little girls and kept on. Twizzlers rule, just sayin'.

But by mile 18, the rain was starting to wear me down. I was seriously cold. I chatted for a while with a guy doing the 20 in prep for Grandmas, and that distracted me for a bit, but I was starting to get pissed. And the rain just came constantly. And the wind made me pissed off at it. And I was so so so COLD.

At the relay station at almost 20 miles, I climbed on the bus heading back to the finish and that was the end of my race.

On a different day, in a different set of circumstances, I totally could have finished that race. I made a conscious decision to NOT that day. And I was completely ok with it. Looking back now, I'm a little pissed at myself, but there's no changing it now. Here's why I did it then:

• The biggest reason, honestly, was that I was out there to have FUN that day, no pressure, and I was miserable. It had STOPPED being fun.
• While I got a late checkout, their late checkout was 1pm. Not very late. And not much time to shower. If I'd had a great race, I would have had JUST ENOUGH time. I was not having a great race.
• I had to immediately post race clean up and drive more than 5 hours straight to a birthday party. The idea of doing that without a hot shower was UNACCEPTABLE.

So, that's that. I know there are some who'll judge me for stepping off a course I could have completed - part of ME judges me. I'm ok with that though. I was embarrassed for a minute, but you know what? It's up to me. These races are mine. And my friends know who I am and are ok with me, faults and all. Plus, so many things went RIGHT that I can't be upset. My legs felt good! I had no stomach trouble! I managed to come back during a race after hitting a low spot! (seriously - this is HUGE and a confidnece builder going forward). I had a great time!

Besides, it was a perfect training run for Grandmas. Which I'll be running with my friend Carly. Mostly because she and Kelli signed me up for it behind my back. It's good to be me. And it's always good to have nutso friends. It keeps life interesting...