NWM 2011, Running the Stats

Mile 24

After an 18 week training plan and 584 miles of running, I have finished my 3rd marathon.  The Nike Women's Marathon was held last Sunday, October 16th in the beautiful (and hilly) City of San Francisco.  I drove up on Friday morning (did you ever realize how boring the 5 Freeway is?) and arrived just in time to hit 5 o'clock traffic.  Thanks to Rae (and her husband Chad who has every connection imaginable) we got rooms at the St. Regis, just a short walk to the expo and start of the marathon at Union Square.  Some very ritzy accommodations for the very down to earth runners that we were.  I probably will never see the inside of that hotel again, because I never could afford the regular price of the room.  But I must say we were very intrigued by the offer of the Krug Ultimate Bath which cost a mere $1600 and included champagne and caviar.  Maybe next time.

Saturday we headed out for a short run to loosen our legs and find Union Square. And after a carb-rich breakfast, we wandered down to the expo to register and pick up our packets.  The expo was the worst marathon expo I have ever been to.  No offense Nike, but not everything is about Nike!  How about some vendors and free stuff?!?  We spent the rest of the day hitting Nike Town (can you say mad house?) and doing too much pre-marathon walking on the streets and warf of San Francisco.  Our day finished up with some good ole' carbo loading pasta with red sauce.

Race morning, we were up bright and early.  I hit the instant oatmeal (not so tasty) and a banana for some pre-race fuel, suited up, and headed out at 6am to walk to the start.  Nike hype and estrogen abounded in Union Square where approximately 22,500 runners (mostly women and a very few men) waited for the start.  I took my place in the 7:30 to 8:59 minute per mile corral and at 7:00 am it was go time.  My first 3 miles were in the low 8 minute/mile range.  Matt had to point out that my 4th mile was one of my slowest, probably because I panicked that I was running too fast.  The course was hilly, especially the first half, but thanks to my Sunset Road running, I breezed through them.  At mile 11, we headed deeper into Golden Gate Park and about 18,000 Half Marathoners broke off to head to the finish.  Suddenly the masses of runners and the crowds of spectators were nearly gone, and we marathoners headed off into almost weird quiet.  Where did everyone go?  At mile 16, we rounded the corner close to the Finish Village  We got a glimpse of the finish line and a taste of what was to come after another 10 miles, and then started out along the Great Highway and the Pacific Coast.  After a lap around Lake Merced, we headed back up the coast toward the finish.  At mile 24, I saw Willem who ran beside me and captured my sweaty, tired form on film; and at mile 25, Chad and the Idaho contingent cheered me in.  Shortly before mile 25 a pacer caught me and led me in to finish at goal time and with my fastest mile the entire marathon.

Here's the stats:
My finishing time: 3:50:28
Overall Place: 223
Place of Female Marathon Finishers: 188
Place in Age Division (F35-39): 29 out of 831
Total Marathon Starters: 6324
Total Marathon Finishers: 4771
Females: 4389
Males: 382

It was my best marathon yet (although not my fastest by 5 minutes).  I felt great, I never wanted to walk, and I finished strong.  And the next day, only my knees were a little sore and my legs a little achy; and two days after, even that was gone.  Next up, maybe the Napa Valley Marathon on March 4, 2012.  A little running, a little wine, and some beautiful wine country... what could be better than that?