Loved.
This.
Race.
IMS Arizona Marathon.
Wait . . . you've never heard of it?!
Ok, so it's only in it's third year but from now on..........every February........
you
will
find
me
there.
The expo:
* small
* well staffed [maybe too well] ;)
* VERY well organized [other than making you exit out the exit door........It was raining and the exit was not close to where we parked].
* decent shirt - I have yet to actually use a shirt from a race but It was nice.
Race Day:
* again well organized.
* heated buses
* great warm areas to wait until race start
* water/aid stations - amazing.
* tons of volunteers
Now the
Other than the marathon with my sister two weeks ago, I have never felt so calm and relaxed going into a race. I didn't eat my "usual" breakfast. I forgot my gloves. [used a pair of the Pita's socks] I forgot my bag tag. I forgot my water.
and
I
didn't
care.
This was a "training" run. It. was . all. good.
Got to the start line. Begged the bag guy to take my jacket and if I didn't find him after - - - no biggie. He did. So. freaking. nice.
A few people came up to me from December's Tucson marathon. When you are wearing polka dot arm warmers [thanks Angie B!] I guess you kinda stick out. weird. I also ran into my neighbors who were running the relay. good. times.
Weather: cloudy & sprinkling but not freezing [YAY!]
And
we
are
off.
After the third mile. I. called. this. race. awesome.
My legs - felt amazing
My head - clear
My form - dare I say [until the photos come out] better.
My breathing - easy to steady
I wanted to push harder but I was mile 6. Splits had been between 7:11 - 7:24.
Save it Emz. Save it for 20.
From 6-8 the rain & wind became much more steady but not heavy.
Not too eventful from 8-11. Just nice and steady.
Mile 11 rain. heavy. completely soaked.
And
guess
what?
iPod down. Yep, again. This time due to rain [water in the plug in(earphones)]. holy. freaking. suck.
Mentally, I thought, "no, not another race like Utah". Followed immediately by, "Kate ran without an iPod her whole freaking marathon. I've. freaking. got. this."
Mile 14 - rain stopped.
Mile 15 - rain again.
Mile 17 to 18. My worst mile on the books. [7:49]
Mile 18 ditched the Pita's socks I had worn as gloves. Those freaking things could have been up to my ears.
Size 15 = [well some.............] ........ some freaking big socks.
These photos are going to rock.
I decided right then [at 18th "lap" alert from my Garmin]. That I was not going to have another mile come in over 7:45.
Got a burst of needed energy at 19. YAY!
Mile 19 - 7:32
Mile 20 - 7:34
Mile 21 - 7:37
Mile 22 - 7:42
Mile 23 - 7:42
Mile 24 - 7:41
then . . . .
the heaviest rain & W I N D hit.
Thank goodness the wind was from the side.
Mile 25 - 7:40
Mile 26 - 7:41
HAPPY
FREAKING
EMZ
New
PR.
3:18:53
