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Post-Marathon Thoughts and Your Questions Answered

  • Kerrie

-Zoë and I used the run/walk throughout the entire marathon. I’d originally wanted to run the final six miles straight through, but we were doing better with the run/walk. I decided we should try it for the final three, then I changed my mind and made it the final two. Well, that didn’t happen either, and I’m fine with that. It worked out the way we did it and I’m extremely happy with my first marathon. Wouldn’t change a thing!

-I do not understand how I had so much energy during the marathon. I never hit a wall.

-Not sure I’ve ever smiled as much in any other race as I did during this one.

-After the race, I went home, took an ice bath and a shower, then T Junior and I took a little snooze for about an hour. Then we went over to Mel’s house and met up with her and Jess, Chelsea, Jill and her boys, Diana and her girls, and Zoë and her girl. T Junior and all the kids played together while we ate pizza and had cupcakes. Mel also gave me and Zoë our 26.2 magnets. I love seeing mine on the back of my minivan!

Official Time:

Pace breakdown according to my Garmin:
Total distance: 26.63
Average pace: 10:37
Mile 1: 9:51
Mile 2: 9:47
Mile 3: 10:13
Mile 4: 9:50
Mile 5: 10:08
Mile 6: 9:55
Mile 7: 9:54
Mile 8: 10:08
Mile 9: 10:13
Mile 10: 10:19
Mile 11:10:05
Mile 12: 16:19 (I-90 tunnel)
Mile 13: 4:02 (I-90 tunnel)
Mile 14: 10:05
Mile 15: 11:21 (pit stop)
Mile 16: 10:56
Mile 17: 10:19
Mile 18: 11:35
Mile 19: 11:41
Mile 20: 11:22
Mile 21: 11:25
Mile 22: 11:26
Mile 23: 10:49
Mile 24: 11:05
Mile 25: 12:11
Mile 26: 11:48
.63: 5:57 (9:24 pace)

This really shows when our longer walks began.

How did I feel the next day?
Directly after the race, I felt okay. In fact, I realized Mel had my car keys when she was all the way across the Qwest Field parking lot, and I ran her down. But, honestly, I felt good. Feet hurt (specifically my pinky toenails). Blisters hurt (I had one each on the inside sides of my big freakish toes, which I drained and are now fine). Later that evening, my quads ached, as did my arches and inner thighs. Sunday, quads and hammies were very sore — I didn’t notice much else. Monday, quads and hamstrings still a little sore. I had a PT appointment on Monday, and she told me my calves felt really tight, which is why I was not allowed to run until the weekend (I went on Friday — close enough). I was prescribed stretching and hot baths. Tuesday, I could feel a little leftover soreness. By Wednesday, I didn’t feel any soreness except on my arches when stretching and/or rolling them (I have relatively flat feet and I use a tennis ball to roll them, as directed by my PT).

How did I know I needed to drink just Nuun during the marathon?
Last year, in training for my first marathon (which I did not run due to fracturing my shin), I ran a 15-miler during which I only drank water. Never been so sore in my life! And immediately after the run, too. It was weird. I’d always had Nuun on my long runs before that one and so I deduced that only water doesn’t cut it for me. Total believer in Nuun here, which is why I’m really excited to be on their Hood to Coast team this year!

Did I run/walk during my marathon training?
Yes! I fractured my shin in May 2010, but by fall I was cleared to start running again. Slowly. So I used the run/walk method (first Couch to 5K then Jeff Galloway‘s method). I decided to use the run/walk training from Jeff Galloway to finish my goal marathon — Rock N Roll Seattle. I was extremely concerned about re-injury. Once I’d built up my base and felt stronger, I switched to just using the run/walk on my long runs. I used a 5-minute run:1-minute walk ratio, but other people do 3:1 or 4:1 or even 10:1. Or 10:30 seconds. Or whatever! Experiment on your long runs to find what works best for you.

Would I recommend the run 5:walk 1 for a first-timer?
Yes, definitely! But maybe not 5:1. Maybe a 3:1. It depends on your fitness level, and what you think you can do. Lorraine from Run, Wifey, Run used the 2:1 ratio for her first marathon HERE, I think, and she also had a wonderful first full marathon! Like I said above, definitely experiment with the different ratios. Jeff Galloway’s site has a marathon training plan HERE using the run/walk.

Tonia (H2C teammate) and me at You Go Girl in 2010.

What’s next?
What isn’t?! Well, unfortunately … actually the Dirty Dash 10K mud run I was supposed to do on Saturday isn’t going to happen due to a major scheduling conflict. (Want my bib? Email me: kerrie (at) sanitydepartment (dot) com.) But, after that, here’s what’s up:

  • See Jane Run Half Marathon: July 17. I will be running this with Chelsea of Will Run for Food. It will be her FIRST half, and can’t wait for her to experience crossing that finish line!
  • Hood to Coast Relay – Nuun Team: Aug. 27-28. I still cannot believe I will be doing this! I’ve been assigned legs 4, 16 and 28. I’m on Team 2 with some amazing women: Tricia (Endurance Isn’t Only Physical), Alyssa (Diary of an Average Runner), Tonia (Racing with Babes), Margot (The Faster Bunny), Lisa (Discovering the Meaning of Stonehenge), Jess (Blonde Ponyt
    ail
    ), Susan (Nurse on the Run), Harmony (Keep on Keeping On), and XLMIC (Taking it On). The other team is amazing, too, of course! I am training for a sub-2 half in September (see below), so my training plan will include some 2-a-days and some (scary!) night runs to get ready for the relay. Can you say “headlamp”? How about “pepper spray”?
  • You Go Girl Half Marathon: Sept. 18. This will be my sub-2 attempt. I’m excited about it! I ran/walked the 10K at YGG last year so I know what half of the course is like. I know I can do it!
  • November race? December race? Half Fanatic? Yes, please.
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17 comments
  1. TMB @ RACING WITH BABES says:
    July 5, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    I have a feeling the new few months of racing are going to be huge for you. Is Mel pacing you to a sub-2? She should at You Go Girl, she can become the official sub 2 pacer for that race.Love that picture of us. Can't wait to take some more at HTC!

    Reply
  2. Marlene says:
    July 5, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Ooooh this means the race report must be up. Just getting caught up. I used to think that hitting the wall and getting exhausted was just part of running a marathon… the first time it did NOT happen, I was like “Whoa, what?!” This just means you trained well, fueled properly and ran smart!EXCITING things coming up. Super pumped for you!

    Reply
  3. Lisa J says:
    July 5, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    thanks for the advice on which Jeff Galloway combo you do. Its very rare that I DON'T walk during a race, but I think that if I had a bit more 'structure' to my walking, it would also help me feel refreshed after the race. Congrats on conquering your first marathon! Good luck on sub 2 for the 1/2 !!!

    Reply
  4. (Just) Trying is for Little Girls says:
    July 5, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    I would love to run a sub 2 with you at You Go Girl as well! Can't wait for that race!Will miss you at the Dirty Dash, was hoping to be able to say hi.

    Reply
  5. Our Love onthe Run says:
    July 5, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    So proud of you, you did such a good job!!! (i'm a little behind on reading blogs). Once you have that marathon where you feel GOOD the whole way, it really changes your running. You are going to have a fabulous season ahead of you!!! WTG!!!!

    Reply
  6. Run with Jess says:
    July 5, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    You've had such an amazing journey. I can't imagine what a high you must still be on. Thanks for sharing all your experiences and thoughts… I'm soaking it all in right now!

    Reply
  7. [email protected] for the Hills says:
    July 5, 2011 at 5:42 pm

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I officially start marathon training in August and will certainly experiment with Nuun. I've used it for a year now, but not exclusively on long runs. I like that theory. You girls are going to have a crapton of fun. I'm excited for you all!

    Reply
  8. Sarah says:
    July 5, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    Really inspirational. I love your plan of running/walking.

    Reply
  9. Rhubarb says:
    July 5, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    I just signed up for See Jane Run half too! I'll be qualified for being a half fanatic by the time I do another half in the beginning of August. Don't you really want one of their bad ass shirts?

    Reply
  10. 5 Miles Past Empty says:
    July 5, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    AWESOME!!! You have some excellent goals ahead of you!! And clearly you are up for it! The sub TWO is YOURS!!!! I'm super excited for H2C!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

    Reply
  11. Detroit Runner(Jeff) says:
    July 5, 2011 at 11:47 pm

    I run with a headlamp all winter long. You get used to it quickly.

    Reply
  12. Caroline says:
    July 6, 2011 at 12:16 am

    I just tried NUUN this weekend and it works for me! no heartburn. I cannot have Gatorade or powerade because of GI problems so I am now a fan of NUUN and I plan on drinking just that for my LR and my upcoming Half!

    Reply
  13. KT80 (Running Like a Girl) says:
    July 6, 2011 at 12:17 am

    Great recap, thank you! I checked for Nuun at my running store the other day, but they didn't have it in stock. I should really try it though.

    Reply
  14. Julie D. says:
    July 5, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    way to go Kerrie!! what a successful race for you. So excited you had such an awesome first marathon!! Can't wait for all that is around the corner for yoU!!

    Reply
  15. Chelsea says:
    July 6, 2011 at 1:47 am

    I am running a half marathon in less than 14 days oh my god I am going to dieeeeee *cue freakout*

    Reply
  16. TriGirl says:
    July 6, 2011 at 4:15 am

    So *that's* how you did it!! I gotta figure out how i'm gonna do the seattle run, so maybe that will help. I'm going to try the Runner's World program but i like knowing there are lots of different options.And Chelsea is going to do awesome! Sorry I can't be there to cheer for you guys 🙁

    Reply
  17. XLMIC says:
    July 7, 2011 at 3:34 am

    checked out headlamps yesterday 🙂 getting super excited!!!! I am also looking to break 2 in a fall half 🙂

    Reply

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