Race Report: Heartland Marathon and Fallbrook Birthday Bash 5k

29.3 miles in two days? Sounds like a great idea, huh.

I have run at least one marathon every single year since 2003...well, almost.  I didn't complete one in 2005 as I was running at Hastings College at the time and my coach was against it.  So--maybe I should change my streak from 2006 on?  I have been debating all year as to whether it was important enough for me to truck another one out.  There was no way that I could have done it this spring with all of my "collapsing leg" issues, and after I had committed to Ironman, I debated as to whether the marathon part of the tri would count.  I decided that it wouldn't.  Ironman was Ironman.  The marathon was a separate beast.

So as the year progressed, it didn't look like the marathon would be a reality this year.  I did a bunch of low impact work this past month (after taking 10 days off post Iron), but my last long run was (I think) July 5th.  Starting a build up at this point sounded really challenging, especially as I'm now back to work and our weekend calendar was filling up with commitments.

This past week, it looked like I would be able to fit in a race.  My husband had a shooting competition out west and my sister said we could spend the weekend with her.  Plus,  one of my good friends was having a Husker party that weekend.  AND the Omaha Running Club was hosting their first full marathon--The Heartland Marathon--that Sunday. Perfect storm.
  Okay.  Let's go ahead and do something stupid.

The Heartland Marathon

The day before the big event, we got an email out about how hot it was going to be the morning of the race.  I had also noted this and tried to prep by drinking extra water and remaining as hydrated as possible.  I packed extra salt tabs. I knew that this wasn't going to be the most pleasant experience, but hey, a streak is a streak.  As I left my sister's that morning, it was already hot and humid.  The race was slated to begin at 7am, and I was wishing it would have started at 6 instead.

The full marathon contained two out and backs entirely on the Keystone trail.  Mentally, I like out and backs, but this particular trail offered zero shade.  Zero.  And temps were projected to be in the 90's? I took a salt tab every hour and a Gu every 5ish miles or so.  I drank at every aid station.  I was able to jog it out until mile 19, but at this point, my body had about had it.  At one point, a nice couple cheered for me, and I said, "Thanks, ladies!" It was only after I had passed that I realized it was a guy and a girl. Yikes.  Around this time, I also found out that one salt tab an hour was not enough for such a hot and humid day.  I started to get sloshy stomach and threw up twice in those late miles before the race was over.  During Ironman, I made it through the marathon by alternating a 4 minute jog with a 2 minute walk.  I couldn't even follow this basic plan at the end of this one.  During the last mile, I came upon the girl who was leading the race for the first 14 miles.  She said that she had run a 3:24 marathon that spring, but that this course and day just destroyed her.  What a humbling day, she noted. Oh yes.  Yes it was.

I finally reached the finish line in 4:46, placing 12th..that's how hard of a day this was...I mean, when has a 4:46 ever placed you 12th?!  I drank two Dr. Pepper's post race and headed to my sister's to pick up the boys.  Luckily I felt okay once the sugar/caffeine/calories sank it, because it was back to mommy duty.  I think that torture was worth keeping my streak alive?

Fallbrook Birthday Bash 5k

In my defense, I had signed up for this race way before I had tossed around the marathon idea.  After I decided to do the Heartland Marathon, I decided to play it ear by ear as to whether I'd toe the line to this one.  I felt pretty good yesterday, and was surprised that my quads didn't hurt that bad this morning.  Although it felt so nice to snuggle in my bed, I knew that Quinn would be up soon anyway.  Plus, they were having a bounce house and activities for children, which I knew Quinn and Anders would love.

I honestly had no clue what to expect here.  I surmised that I would either feel okay, or I wouldn't.  I dropped the boys off at Child Watch and did some stretching and running drills.  Although it was still hot and humid, I needed to get my quads ready for round two.  The course was one big loop around the Fallbrook area.  I have run a few races out here in the past, and have found it to be a great location.  It is very close to our house, plus it offers some nice hills to power up and sprint down.

I felt okay out there.  Not great and felt like I was working very hard for what was sure to be only a "so-so" performance.  But let's be fair here.  What did I expect?  Did I think that I was going to race a 5k at 100%? Um, no.  However, I was able to pull out a win here and given all of the considerations, I was happy with my time.

So now it's time to be smart.  Recover properly and get some good workouts in in the upcoming weeks.

Harvest Moon Hustle and Market to Market are coming up.  Plus, I'm tossing around the idea of doing IM Florida in November.  Lots of work to do between now and then! Enjoy your Labor Day!

Fun after the race!