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Monday, May 31, 2010

Madison Marathon Race Report

The family and I headed to the Dane County Farmer's Market on Saturday morning and then headed to Alliant Energy Center for the 2010 Madison Marathon Expo. I headed to the full marathon packet pick up.

Then I grabbed my technical top .......


Then the four of us shopped around the expo. It was a decent size for a modest sized race. I stopped by the Bondi Band booth but had self-restraint since we are currently on one income. There were also some exhibitors that I hadn't heard of and saw some cute running skirts.



The 26.2 mile course in 7 1/2 minutes
You can watch the video HERE.


The kids posing with their milk mustaches

#361



Fuel for pre-race and during race and all my gear.
I had purchased my 4:20 pace bands from
Races 2 Remember HERE.
They also sent me a an adorable My Names Race Day Bib HERE.
(Thanks, Molly!!!)


The stylish outfit!
The evening before the race, hubby started feeling sick, but still headed out for a run in the heat. He came home and spent the rest of the night in the bathroom tossing his cookies and slept on the couch. I was wondering if I was going to have to go to the race all alone. I put Little Dude to bed early at 7:30 and he was out by 8:00. Little Diva slept with me and we were out by 8:30. Had a fabulous night's sleep!
I woke up at 5:00 am, just before the alarm went off. I felt rested and ready to race!

Race day morning around 5:45.
Packing up last minute stuff for the kids!

We met up with some friends on the Capitol Square around 6:30. She had access to her office and nice, clean bathrooms with no lines!! I went twice and we headed to the start line with 3 mins to go, as the National Anthem was being sung. It was probably good that we didn't get to the start too early, because otherwise my stomach would've been in knots. I felt ready!! We started at 7:00.
Here I am at the Finish Line, that I hoped to see again in about 4 1/2 hrs!

Some shots of the Start Line some time after the full marathon had started.

2010 Madison Marathon Course Map HERE
We ran around the Captiol Square and headed west towards the Arboretum. Some people find it boring, but I really enjoy it. It's so peaceful. Men were darting off left and right into the woods to release their bladders. I had to go at this point, but didn't want to stop to use the restroom. I ended up forgetting about it after 6 miles in and never had to go again the entire race.
We headed out of the Arboretum and down Monroe Street (where I saw my best friend), past Camp Randall (UW Badgers Football Stadium) and towards campus. I was approaching a a pace group, that I thought was 4:15. I thought, WOW, slow down ... since I was hoping to finish in 4:20-4:30. Come to find out it was 4:10. YIKES!!! I was either going to do very well, or kill myelf very early.
Then we ran up Observatory Drive. Usually, the races in Madison run up Observatory Drive, but in the opposite direction ... and it's hell. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake. WRONG! Running west up Observatory was more gradual and there were more inclines. What a beast!
We headed East out of Campus and past the Captirol Loop. I knew my family would be waiting for me around mile 11 ... and they were!



I gave my husband, daughter and father-in-law a high five at mile 5 and my hubby said "WOW, you're going to fast" (jokingly!). I was feeling awesome, just behind the 4:10 pacers still.
We headed towards Tenney Park and the race officials were announcing the half marathoners go right and full marathoners go left. There weren't many half marathoners with us at this point.
I looked ahead and saw this sign .....
At the same time, the guy with the megaphone read my race bib and said "great job, Jamie!" And I screamed with all I had ... and saw Linda (Mom Running From Cancer HERE). The race official said "WOW, SHE's feeling great! Where did that come from?!".
I knew Linda would be at Tenney Park, but I was so touched that she was there with her camera taking photos and decorated a sign just for me. I started crying and thanked her. It meant so much!!!!
Then I rounded the corner and a bit later, I heard "Great pace, Jamie, keep it up!". Linda was following me on her bike and gave me encouragement for about the next mile. She stopped and took some more photos after we passed the Governor's Mansion. She headed home and off to church and made my day!
Maple Bluff is a more mature neighborhood and a bit shaded. The hills were mountainous and killed me. I saw the Girls on the Run Water station at mile 14.5. This hill was killing me! I yelled out the director's name and they all started cheering for me.

I finally reached the top of the hill and headed around Maple Bluff Country Club. No more shade here and another huge incline to get to Mile 15 and turn the corner. I started hitting a wall and wanted to walk. I just told myself that I had to get up that hill. I did and went to the water station and then walked through it.
The next 5 miles are a bit of a blur. I felt like quitting. The water stations were spaced out approximately every 1 1/2 miles and I just kept telling myself that I needed to get to the next water station and I'd let myself walk for about a minute or so. And, that's what I did.
I ran with my GoLite Hydroclutch and am glad I did. I stuffed it with 3 Gu packets and picked up Gu along the entire course and just kept refilling the pouch. After I ran out of my Gatorade int he bottle, I kept filling it with ice, which turned into slushy water within minutes and was just what I needed. I also took Gatorade and water at every water station and dumped a cup over
my head. I ran through about a dozen sprinklers, too.
I heard ambulances and fire trucks the entire second half. People were laying along side of the road moaning, grabbing their legs, strangers were fanning runners as they laid in the grass. It was a terrible site.

As I got to mile 21.5 I saw my father-in-law. He cheered me on and told me that hubby and the kids were at mile 22. I grabbed some water there, as we approached the Madison Monona Terrace and Lake Monona. At the water station they were literally yelling, "STOP RUNNING". (The course was closed at this point, but I didn't know.).
I saw hubby and the kids as I was walkign with my ice and water and Little Diva said "Run Mommy!". So, I did ........

We ran around Lake Monona and Monona Bay. I was actually feeling much better at this point, which I would've thought was worse?! They kept telling people to walk and hydrate. I didn't know the clock had stopped. I never saw a mile marker for Mile 24 and was wondering how long this mile was really going to take me. I asked the guy next to me (who had a Garmin) where we were exactly and he said 24.7 .... I said, "Well, that makes me feel much better!!!".
I walked throught he last water station as we approached the huge hill up West Washington towards the Capitol. Someone filled my water bottle with ice and it melted immediately. My water bottle sloshed up and down as I dragged myself up that hill. I passed everyone, because they were walking. I saw a neighbor at mile 26 and said "I so needed you here; thank you!!!". She and my daughter's playmates cheered me on.

My little fan club

The finish line as they're waiting for me to come in

I got to the top of the hill and ran 1/4 way around the Capitol and saw my family cheering me on. I kicked it into high gear and had a HUGE smile on my face as I approached the finish line. I approached several people that were walking to the finish line. I crossed and looked down at my watch and saw .....



4:27
Well within my 4:20 - 4:30 Goal
And, I PR'd by 10 minutes from marathon #1
(despite the hills and the conditions!)

Happy to be inside an air-conditioned office building
with my finisher's medal in hand

Gulped down a Diet Mountain Dew (yum!)




I didn't find out until after the race that the clock was stopped at 4:00 and now heard on the news that they indeed CLOSED THE COURSE!! They kept the aid and water stations open and let people finish. But they had buses available to pick you up (which I wasn't aware of, pretty much made you walk and hydrate and didn't want you to try to "beat the clock" and shoot for time goals.)
You can read the news article and watch the video describing the heat conditions HERE.

The timing system is also having major problems with getting the results posted. Most times weren't posted and most that were posted, were posted incorrectly. Still waiting for my exact time and placement. Although, I'm just really happy I finished ... and within my goal!

40 comments:

  1. Nice job on your marathon! I would of been elated with your time:) My first marathon is coming up in October...I am running the Twin Cities Marathon. I was thinking about doing the Madison Mini in August but it depends on my hubby's schedule.

    This was a great race report full of fun pictures! Your outfit was great...love it:) Congrats on a fantastic finish!

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  2. Congratulations!! Fantastic race report and HUGE kudos to you for finishing!!

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  3. CONGRATS!! Awesome race!!

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  4. WOW...great time! Amazing in that heat! Way to go!

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  5. Love your blog! And congratulations on your marathon! I can't believe that you were able to get such an amazing time in that heat. It's been so crazy hot lately, I've been a pansy and skipped some runs. Now, I realize that with hydration and planning I probably could have still gotten out there

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  6. Wonderful race report !!! You should be so proud - you were awesome. Now take some time to relax and soak up thrill of your accomplishment. ;-)

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  7. Congratulations! That is an awesome time, but especially so considering the crazy weather! And I must say - your kids are just adorable!

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  8. Way to go!!!! You did great! I love your name bib! I will have to check the site out! I was wondering why Bondiband wasn't at the race I did this weekend and now I know!! Soak it all in! You did awesome!

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  9. So proud of you! You're really living up to the *diva* name with that outfit-adorable! And how cute was that leopard bib with your blog on it! I'm glad you accomplished your goal. :) That is so special that Linda was there and had that cute sign. Yay Jamie!!!

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  10. You did a great job! The conditions sound pretty miserable, so I'm really proud of you for hanging in there and getting it done. Hooray, Jamie!!!

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  11. Amazing how "fresh" you looked in every damn picture!
    Awesome job on a hot-ass day! I was wondering since they stopped the clock if you'd still get the finisher medal-thank God!

    Great pics and way to go on the finisher's Dt Dew! A girl after my own heart!

    Big CONGRATS and what an awesome fan club you have!

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  12. AWESOME job Jamie!! You impress me!! I watched the 7.5 min. race video, very pretty neighborhoods.

    Congrats!!!

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  13. congrats!
    I was there. I finished in 3:02. It was a tough day. I did not know they closed the course until later that night. Mile 16~17 was when things started to get really hairy. I think it's because the shade was gone and the headwind started to pick up and get hotter.

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  14. Way to go - that's awesome that you finished with a PR in those conditions. You're training more than paid off. Congratulations!

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  15. Great recap! love all the photos! I love how smiley you are :) Congrats again!

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  16. Nice job on the marathon and great time, especially with the heat!!! I actually had a Diet Mt Dew after my run last night (it definitely hit the spot) and it made me think of you since I had read that on your blog not long ago!

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  17. Congratulations on a great race!

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  18. Wow! You did an awesome job in that heat. I wonder what is going to happen as more marathons seem to be closing due to weather. I wonder what allowances will be made. You have so many many great pictures. How great that so many of your family and friends could be there!

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  19. Great job! That is so amazing that you were able to finish with all of the heat / conditions. In spite of all of the issues, you really looked like you were having a great time out there. Enjoy the moment - you've earned it!

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  20. 1. WTG!
    2. You look adorable - love the outfit!
    3. So funny that in one pic you are running in the Emergency Snow Parking!

    Way to rock it through some really tough conditions!

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  21. wow congrats! that is awesome!!!
    and u accomplished your goal!! yay!~!!!!!!

    congrats jamie!

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  22. Congratulations!!!!! That is so awesome!!!!! It was brutal out there. I hope you're having a relaxing Memorial Day and enjoying your achievement.

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  23. I did the half marathon. I almost died and I'm really glad that I didn't choose this race for my first marathon. I almost certainly would have been a casualty of the heat. Running up Observatory almost killed me too. I remember going the other direction for Crazy Legs and I thought this would be easier. Nope! And that last hill up Washington was a killer. Congrats to you.

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  24. Great job!! How smart you were on keeping yourself well hydrated! So excited to have found another mom runner's blog.

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  25. YOU DID AMAZING. I can't believe the heat...wowzer! Great job pushing through. I loved reading your race recap...so encouraging!

    Did you love the pace band? I am wondering if I should get them or not for my first marathon?

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  26. Awesome race report! And awesome job! That race sounds CRAZY! And the part about all the runners on the sides of the road. OMG.

    So glad you made it though it and without passing out. You deserve a major DIVA award for this one :)

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  27. Great job! Way to push through in some HEAT!!!! I think my favorite pic is with you and your finishers medal...and some cute little hands reaching up with his banana :)

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  28. Congratulations on an awesome PR!!! Loved your race report and pics.

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  29. Hooray! Congrats on your awesome finish! I can't believe they closed the race...that is just crazy!

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  30. Congratulation on an awesome finish to the Madison Marathon!! I can't imagine the heat and how they would close the course. It sounds crazy. Congrats on the PR as well!

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  31. Congrats on an awesome finish!! Great job despite the heat!!!

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  32. You did amazing! I'm so proud of you!

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  33. Awesome job! Wow, that's some crazy weather to deal with... I'm glad you were okay! :)

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  34. That is an amazing finish, with those conditions. Congratulations on pushing through!!!

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  35. Congrats! Nice job on the race and the PR, especially considering the brutal weather conditions!

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  36. Holy awesomeness in that weather! Congrats on a great time and PR!!!

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  37. Awesome! Congrats on you PR and rocking the race!

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  38. Great run. It was fun to hear your thoughts along the way, especially the hard times. It make me realize that everyone has hard times and you pushed through it. Very encouraging. I'm doing a Sprint Triathlon tomorrow and am freaked!

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  39. Fantastic race report, congratulations on you dedication and determination to finish,inspiring.

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  40. This is awesome!! So happy for you! You really rocked this race!!!

    Now imagine what you'll be able to do on a cooler day! :)

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