I know you’re probably tired of hearing this 😉 , but I got another PR !!! That’s the short of it, but if you want the extended version, here it comes….
(By the way, excuse my absence–my last post should’ve also been titled Blogging Blues, lol!)
Okay, the Mesa-Phoenix Marathon. So, I had friends coming in from Texas–Scott who used to blog and that’s how I “met” him (and in real life in Chicago), his partner in crime and better half Marsha, and a cool dude named Roberto.
Me and Scott after Chicago Marathon 2015
I had convinced them to come because Marsha was looking to BQ and I knew she could do it on Phoenix’s course. When we first met back in Chicago, she had, unknowingly at the time, gotten super close and didn’t need a whole lot to shave. I was certain she’d get the sub 3:45 she needed.
With her goal being sub 3:45 and my PR being 3:58, I figured I’d just hang with her for as long as I could and see how it went. I didn’t mind combusting if that’s what happened; this wasn’t a race I was going for a real time goal anyway. I could risk it.
Marsha also wasn’t putting too much pressure on herself to BQ. While it would be great if she did, she wasn’t going to be fixed to her watch and causing herself race anxiety.
Having that mindset, we went into the race stress-free and full excitement for a long run with friends. That’s how we were approaching it.
Shakeout run with the Texas gang
The race started out bright and early at 6:30 a.m. in the middle of the mountains out in nowhere. We saw the sunrise the first few miles and we were in really good spirits promising everyone tequila at the finish.
“You get tequila!”
“And you get tequila!”
“Everyone gets tequila!”
(Spoiler: I did not have tequila at the end, lol!)
Scott had pacing duties so I never looked at my watch, instead, just followed his lead.
This was a pretty steep downhill so I was proud of how controlled we stayed. Thanks, Scott!
I felt good and when we approached the only hill of the race, I knew if I just stayed close, I’d be okay.
We didn’t skip a beat going up and my pace for miles 5 and 6 were 8:31 and 8:35!
It was a nice downhill for a while after that and our pace stayed relatively steady between miles 7-15.
Our conversation stayed steady too. We were running calm and enjoying the absolutely amazing weather we were having. We joked, we sang a little, we told Marsha to slow down. It was the most fun and relaxed I’d ever run a marathon… ever.
When we got to mile 16, I felt myself slowing down and I decided then to plug myself in and prepare for the last ten miles. I kept Scott and Marsha in my sight though, so I wasn’t too far behind them.
I stayed steady at around 8:30ish for a few miles
Call me Miss. Consistent 😀
and felt pretty good despite having slowed down a little (and really, I couldn’t believe I was still running an 8:30 something in the back end of a marathon!)
Mile 19–Cruising!
At mile 23, the cramping started. But like New York, I just accepted it and ran with it. They slowed me down, and I could feel them with each step in my calves, my shins, my quads, the tops of my feet–but I knew I had a sub 3:45 if I just kept moving.
And would you believe that the miles I ran with cramps were in the 9s?!!??!! I mean, I honestly am just in shock that that was my pace with freaking cramps!!!
You guys, seriously!!!
Mile 23–Must. Get. To. Finish. Line.
I turned the corner, and I finally saw the person I hoped to see–my husband. I knew that he’d finish before me and be at the finish line waiting, and it was that which kept me going.
Started and finished with a smile 😀
Me and my 3:17 marathoner ❤
As soon as I crossed the finish line, I saw Scott and Marsha who had also just finished. I could see the huge smile on Marsha’s face and I knew it–she had BQ’d!!!!! Scott snagged himself a nice little PR coming in after her (but before me)– we all finished within 4 minutes of each other!
We’re awesome.
I cannot get over how amazingly awesome and FUN this race was. I know that all races won’t be like this one, but I’m glad I finally had a race that was absolutely a blast from beginning to end. The PR is the cherry on top but honestly, it’s the people that made Phoenix Marathon unforgettable.
My two halves though–and average pace–I can’t believe it. CAN’T.
❤
–Have you had a race that was just an absolute blast??
What an awesome race!! Congrats on your PR!!
Thank you so much!!! ❤
Congratulations!!!! I have never run with a group during a race and not been the pacer. I am hoping someday I get to enjoy it like you did!! It really sounds like it made the race! So happy for you!
I’ve never run a marathon with friends but everything seemed to work out 😀 I think being a pacer would be a bit stressful though, lol
Woohoo! This was the post that I was waiting for! What an awesome race you had. I seriously thought about flying out for the half, but couldn’t find a reasonable airfare. One year I’ll be there.
COME RUN IT NEXT YEAR!!!
Wow! What a great race and a huge PR! It won’t be long and you’ll be the one chasing a BQ.
I’ll be giving it a shot this fall! Eeeep!!!
January for me!
That’s awesome! It sounds like so much fun AND you PR’ed! I need to try this “long run with friends” approach 🙂
It totally worked!! I’ve never done a marathon with friends but I think with the right ones, it works! 🙂
I love ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING about this post except….I WASN’T THERE!!! I am so, so proud of all of you. Especially because you just went out and ran. No pressure. No stress. Just RAN! Love what happens when you run with your heart. I’m going to be re-reading this post berfore Boston. And channeling you! xoxoxo
You got Boston!! I can’t freaking wait!!!!
Come on now, save some PR’s for the rest of us geez lol. Way to fight through the cramping, I know all about that late in races. Wow 3:17, I need to run with that guy lol.
I have a lot of training runs that are a complete blast. Races not so much. I must be doing something wrong lol.
Funny story: Andrew ended up running next to Ben for a while and asked him, “Hey, are you Helly’s husband?” Ben thought it was hilarious, LOL!! You guys all need to run together!!
Haha that is hilarious, hope he doesn’t mind being “Helly’s Husband” lol.
Holy cow I just realized that is Piratebobcat, I remember his blog. Why did he stop blogging??
Life, you know? It’s hard to keep it up, lol!!
Awesome work!! I need some friends that run marathons at my pace!!
I keep thinking back to the CIM and how much fun I had at the race, even running by myself the whole time. I loved every minute of it, even when I was hurting so bad in the last 6 miles…. I think I need to sign up for it again!
This is good info as I’m signed up for CIM already–it’s my back up in case I don’t BQ in September!! I’ll see you there!! 😀
You are a rockstar!!!! so so so happy for you! you’re really having an incredible season, and your just a total testament to not knowing what we’re capable of til we do it. You’re gonna BQ! Enjoy every moment of the post race high. I am thrilled for you!
Thank you SO much!!!! I’m having fun that’s for sure 🙂
Way to go!! Cramps suck, but it’s amazing that you were able to hang in there and still run a great race!
Yes! I’ve become a lot better at running through pain, lol!
Congrats!!!!!!!!! You are such a speedy runner! It’s awesome that you were able to have so much fun while running that fast and that far.
Kristen, I wasn’t always running this pace!! You’ve known me from the very beginning ❤
Happy dancing so hard for you right now! And I’m not supposed to be dancing (stupid IVF).
WAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo
Jazz hands!!!!! ❤
I am so thrilled for you. I had no idea you ran it with Scott and Marsha. How fun. Kind of makes me want to come do this race. Such a fun crew makes me think this must be one awesome race. Congrats!!
COME AND DO IT!!!!!
Great race report and pics Helly…and congrats once again, wow!! Maybe it’s a residual effect of all that work with the Hansons training that you put in last year!! We were talking about this race last week and may add it to the list one year, even though I already have AZ. Not that it’s likely I could ever get close to a BQ but if I could it seems like this would be a great candidate for an attempt. Enjoy the PR celebrations, cheers!!
I totally think Hanson’s training carried me through!! I would love to meet you if you decide to come back!!!!
That’s awesome Helly…and yes, if we do make it back to run Phoenix, it would be great to meet you in person…of course we may end up at another start line in some other State too some day!!
WAY TO GO!!!!!!! Amazing!
That race pic with your time/pace on it is so cool!
Thank you, Kristina!!! I’m thinking Key West 1/2 next January!!!
Yay! This is awesome. Congratulations Helly!
Thank you!!!
Frigging amazing. What’s your BQ time? Are you going to go for it?
3:35 – I’m going for it in St. George 🙂
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you’ve got me so pumped for next Saturday, I’m running it! Great review, thanks girl
Thank you!! Good luck to you!! I’ll be there again 😀
Oh nice!! Werunsocial ??
Yep!!! Looks like we’re on the ProCompression team together!! ❤