Vermont City Marathon Race Recap

I just realized I still have not posted this, I am sorry it took so long. Things in my life turned upside down after this race. I will blog more about it in the next few weeks. For now this will be my last race recap for a few months and it was hard to hit publish knowing that. 

Well folks, marathon 6 is done and in the books. It will be one I truly will never forget for many reasons.

The KeyBank Vermont City Marathon was a great weekend. I hung out in Berlington when I got there Saturday and spent some time catching up with some great running buddies.

I had dinner with some friends and spent time catching up and of course planning, more races :)

Race day forecast called for sunshine and 70s. That was not too bad. All week I was sick and I left myself open to the possibility that not starting might have to be the right choice. I had both ears infected and a sinus infection paired with a cough from seasonal allergies, it left me wondering.

Nonetheless I woke up Sunday morning and planned to run. I knew backing out was not a possibility when I saw the sun and started in on my normal pre race am routine. I headed out to the start line hopeful. One issue was the porto potties, not enough! This was also an issue on the race course. But yes the line went on forever and we almost missed the start of the race waiting! But it was good to have some company while waiting:

 Gotta love Gene and his jazz hands! He was a great supporter on Sunday!!! He came out just to cheer for Eva, Damian and me and all the other runners in Vermont.

Literally almost missing the start of the race, I ran over to the start line and snuck in as the crowd started going. I must admit, I felt good. I was cruising along with the 3:35 pace group and ran that first mile 7:45. I looked down at my Garmin and remember thinking, hey instead of taking it slow lets push for a PR today.

Now, why did I think it would be a good idea? I do not know. Looking back obviously I know it was a bad idea. Being sick all week and still on meds I should bot have done it. But at the time, I felt good and I wanted to go for it. So off I went. Miles 2-4 were super fast too low 7s and I just kept saying maybe today is the day Colleen, go for that 3:25 that you trained for.

I was on pace for it, by mile 3 I had passed the 3:30 pace group and I had consistent 7:40s on my garmin. Now that I look at my splits online the chip time at mile 10 was a perfect 1 hour and 18 minutes. My 7:49 goal race pace. I hit it. I was on fire. I felt amazing. I felt like a PR and a sub 3:30 marathon would be in my grasp. At the half way point I was at 1:44 I had slowed slightly, but I was still confident that I could negative split and be fine for my big sub 3:30 finish.

Somewhere around mile 15, and this little place called Battery St. and a huge hill, things decided to take a turn for the worst. I barely made it up the hill. My legs felt heavy and my stomach was revolting. A combination of antibiotics and racing just was not working for me. I had to stop and go to the bathroom right after that. By then it was also getting hotter outside and the sun was beating down on me.

I thought I could shake it off. I thought I would be ok. But something had happened. My body quit. For the first time during a marathon I felt like I wanted to quit. The misery continued for a few more miles. At mile 20 I was at 2:45 and by then I knew any hopes of a PR were shot. It is amazing, over the course of 5 miles the 3:30 pace group had passed me and I had given up the PR goal for the day. Then came the bike path.

The final stretch of the race was through the woods on a paved bike path. It was good because it was shady but the ground was uneven. For some reason I struggled. I think I was dehydrated. I had to go to the bathroom again but could not find one for a few miles. That was the worst feeling ever. By the time I found a porta potty it was mile 24 and I started puking as well. First time I have ever been this sick during a marathon.

I actually contemplated stopping so many times during those final 6 miles. My head phones had died, so not only was I terribly sick to my stomach but my music was gone to. It was just me and the road, normally this is good but on a mentally tough run music always pulls me through. I do not know how I made it. I forced myself to jog the entire time, I just kept telling myself that once this race was over I would take a break. Just kept willing the legs to hold on.

I crossed the finish line finally at 3:51. I did no even care, I was just happy that I finsihed.

As soon as I got there I almost collapsed. They took me into the medical tent and helped me rest for a few minutes. After that I wandered around and spent some time laying down under a tree while waiting for my friends to finish. I felt sick and lousy but there was not much I could do. I kept trying to drink water and rehydrate.

I got excited when Eva finished strong!!! She came in earlier than her New Jersey time a few weeks ago because shes a rock star :) And Damian got himself a shiny new 25 minute PR as well!!

 Good job to both of them!!!!

There is one little lady who really approves of Mommy's shiny newest addition to the medal collection, well 2 actually ;)

 My niece Shyann loves Aunties medal almost as much as the Peanut!

I learned a lot at this race. Perhaps I will share more later. For now, I just have to say that I had a good time running with some inspirational running friends and over all it was a nice time!