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NYC Marathon – Beyond the clock

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As noted yesterday, I did eek out a 1 minute PR for which I am absolutely grateful. I appreciate all the congrats and all your words of “any PR should be celebrated”. YES, at 26.1 I pushed so I could raise my arms in triumph and feel that the pain was in some way worth it…but really I felt like the second photo and I still didn’t meet my goals.
NYCmarathonSheWalks
Of course I had an A time goal {which I kept to myself} and a general goal of sub-4, but those who have followed my journey here know: I don’t run for the clock.

My major goal is always to finish with a smile and not with the negative thoughts that took over during those last sick six miles:  “why do I keep doing this?!” “maybe I just don’t have what it takes to be a good marathon runner” “this has to be the last one of these I do.”  This is why I can say in one breath, I’m happy for a PR, but it wasn’t the race I wanted to have.

RACE BREAK DOWN

  1. 9:59 – Followed my plan to take it easy on the bridge going up
  2. 8:54 – Enjoying the downhill without over doing it
  3. 9:28 – What’s with the funneling in to less lanes, pace jumped all over during this mile
  4. 9:07 – Finally able to settle in
  5. 9:00
  6. 8:57
  7. 8:57
  8. 9:09
  9. 9:01
  10. 8:58
  11. 9:09
  12. 9:00
  13. 9:07
  14. 9:04
  15. 9:35
  16. 10:51 – Trapped behind other runners going up bridge
  17. 8:54 – Trying to make up time on the downhill
  18. 8:33 – Running freaked out about the time lost
  19. 8:59 – Settling back
  20. 9:09
  21. 9:19 – Uh, oh, starting to feel dizzy
  22. 9:24 – You know that feeling where the color drains from your face before you get sick…me too.
  23. 9:43 – Hung my head as I started to walk and the most awesome spectator, very softly said “It’s ok to walk the up hills, you’re fine”.
  24. 11:05 – Started running, stopped to check on another runner who was down on the curb alone
  25. 9:58
  26. 11:02 – Couldn’t find the switch to flip in my brain to push hard even with the huge crowd support.

Watch final miles was 26.5.

THE FINISH LINE
Certainly I’ve finished marathons and been tuckered out or in once case injured. But usually I am able to just keep moving and celebrate my achievement by grabbing some free food, walking around and chatting with other finishers.

This time was different and not just in my head. During the 45 minutes it took me to get to David {and I took the early exit option!} I had no less than 4 medics, 3 spectators and 2 racers ask me if I needed help. I was shuffling along slowly, but I was shaking violently and couldn’t stop.

I could tell by David’s face and actions that I didn’t look well…then people in the subway were offering me clothes and seats left and right. Blue lips, red eyes and a neon jacket all shaking definitely grab attention. It took a number of photos and some filters before we agreed I could even show a finishing photo that didn’t look so horrible!NYC Marathon Early Exit PonchoBut as a very wise friend of mine said:

“No matter how tough it was, it’s more important that you crossed the finish line.
If you didn’t finish, you’d have to change the name of your blog…
just easier to finish, albeit in pain.”

HIGHS

  • VIP police escorted buses to the start line, neat experience
  • Starting next to Noelle and Caitlin allowed me to stay calm and enjoy their excitement
  • I followed my pacing plan really well
  • Seeing Michael J Fox cheering at mile 22
  • Personally I didn’t notice the wind all that much, except on bridges
  • Happy I kept my hat and gloves for the entire race
  • Walking around with my medal the day after, still my favorite thing :0)

LOWS

  • Banana peels – no seriously, a lot of slipping and sliding around water stations {definitely saw folks fall}
  • Getting caught in the crowd on the last bridge. I couldn’t get around and my pace dropped horribly which messed with my mind too
  • Garmin distance of 26.5 even though I tried hard not to spend time weaving
  • The road funneled in a few times, again trapping me behind slower runners
  • Late start time confused my eating patterns. Not sure exactly how to better practice this

FUEL
After more thinking, this is largely where I think things went wrong. I couldn’t figure out what to eat before, but feel it was sufficient, just very different than normal. However, during was a fail.
5:45 AM – Love Grown Hot Oats
6:30 AM – 1 TBSP peanut butter
8:30 AM – 1/2 packet Vega protein and pre-workout energizer
9:00 AM – 1 TBSP peanut butter, bread
roughly 450 calories, looks pretty good.

During race: 8 oz Vega electrolyte water {Didn’t finish my handheld even}, 3 chews <<couldn’t stomach more
Post race: Just felt so nauseous I couldn’t get anything including water down until about 5:30PMWhat Success really looks likeYes, I am proud of myself for finishing another marathon.
Yes, I’m already going back on my finish line statement that “I’m just not meant for these things”.

This is why marathons are so funny:
You have a great race and find yourself wondering how much more you can achieve
You have a bad race and find yourself vowing to prove you can do better.

Trials are mandatory. Misery is optional. << This quote sums up how I feel! I’m not sad or wallowing about this race, I’m grateful for the finish and learning from it!

More from NYC:
My overall finish
Marathon tips from Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor
Post marathon blues recovery plan {funny, but true}
——————————————————-
Gratitude JournalRunning_motivation
Nov 6
I am grateful for all the amazing people who stand outside for hours, upon hours in cold and rain and other elements to cheer and support their running friends.

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Posted by amanda Categories: New York City Marathon, New York City Marathon Training, Race, race report

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Amanda Brooks : Run Coach
SHARE THE ONE that resonates most with you. 🏃‍♀️🏃🏾🏃🏽‍♂️
 
It’s true, I’ll never stop talking about the warm up 😂. But right now the idea that running is HOPEFUL really strikes a chord.💜
 
We show up mile after mile always looking to what’s ahead and what’s possible.
 
Which one hits home for you?
.
.
.
#runningmotivation #runninginspiration #medalmonday #fitnessmemes #runningmemes #runningquotes #runnerslife #runnerlife
AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review befor AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review before races) -AKA  Bonking. UK friends giggle at that, but it’s a term just like fartlek.
.
It’s that painful moment when your mind tells your legs to stop and it feels like there’s nothing you can do to turn the tides. It leaves emotional scars!🥵
 
WHAT TO DO!
1️⃣Train differently - seems obvious, but consistent training that follows a plan which progressively and smartly builds your miles and strength and speed...ya it works.
 
2️⃣Fuel, fuel, fuel - force yourself to eat before races and long runs even if not hungry.
.
Starting fueling sooner than you think you need to and keep doing it. During races your body is running on more carbs and needs that steady flow of energy. 
.
🧠 Your brain functions on CARBS, stop depriving it or it will tell you to stop running. If food while running is an issue for you, checkout something like @genucan.
 
3️⃣Pacing - Stop going out too fast because you’re excited, it absolutely catches up to you. Ideal is even pacing start to finish.
 
4️⃣Pay attention to your brain. @fitzgerald.matt in How Bad Do You Want it does a great job of showing how the brain can limit performance if you don’t know what’s happening up there.
 
5️⃣Recover better - Stop over training and give your body tools to help it destress from all the work...the best one is SLEEP. I also love @resiliencecbd to help with nerves prior to a race and quality sleep during training.
 
❓❓Helpful?? Have more race day questions?? Or an epic story of hitting the wall?? I wanna know.❓❓
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.
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Thanks to @moxie82co for capturing this weird moment, it worked great for this post.
HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mo HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mobility workouts, now we add strength!
//
🥳For the next 30 days in the Virtual Run Club we’ll be going hard on all the pre-hab work for hips, glutes and abs. Because running isn’t just about the miles.
//
That’s one of the reasons I’ve been consistently doing @insidetracker bloodwork since 2015.
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It’s helped me identify low Vitamin D causing fatigue or catch my wayyy high cortisol to embrace easy runs as key part of the process.
📌 (Save this post because the last screen has a 25% off discount code and you can get free access to the 30 Day March Challenge.)
👉LINK IN BIO FOR BOTH
✅✅✅✅
3 CORE MOVES
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You can use these as a progression or do all three, they’ll target the hips, glutes and core in different ways with each variation.
 
Aim for 15 reps prior to a run or do multiple rounds as part of a workout!
 
1️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Hip Raise - Really focus on your core engaging to raise up and keeping your elbow under your shoulder.
 
2️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Leg Raise - Again core should be tight to keep hips lifted, not sagging towards the ground. Then focus on your hip and glute to raise the top leg.
 
3️⃣Straight Leg Side Plank Leg Raise - Engage the core to keep hips high and press the bottom foot in to the ground to really engage your glutes. Slow and steady to remain stable while raising and lowering top leg.
❓❓❓❓
Talk to me!!!
Who’s in for 10 min a day in March?
Who’s gotten blood work to improve their health?
Who’s excited it’s almost spring?
👉👉Me to all 3! And more info in stories!
 
 
 
#runtothefinish #insidetrackerpartner
RUN DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS😊 I had training tips RUN DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS😊 I had training tips planned to share today, but really just wanted to say I hope you get in some miles today and they make you smile.
 
Let go of the pace.
Let go of the distance.
Let go of HR for a day.
Just run.
We GET to.
 
Where in the world are you running today?
.
I’ll be embracing one warm day before snow here in Boulder, CO.
EMOJI POLL: Round or no? ⏰ give me whole numbers EMOJI POLL: Round or no?
⏰ give me whole numbers
👍wherever I stop, it stops
🙃I don’t use no stinking watch
||
THAT’S A LIE 😂. I can’t do it. I need the round number and when I get that close to a whole number...I need it!
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Website written, managed and maintained by Amanda Brooks, a certified running coach and personal trainer. Any advice should be taken as general information and not a personalized plan. All opinions, tips and reviews are based upon her personal life experience and the experiences of those she has coached. View our full privacy and review policy.

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