26.2 and counting: Trials Reflection
What a weekend.
Having never run a marathon before Saturday, I can't speak from experience, but I can say arguably that this race was one of the hottest, emotionally charged, and mentally challening races I have done. With road temps of over 80 degreees and sunlight reflecting of the tarmac, dehydration, and a record number of DNFs, the Olympic Marathon Trials was for many a test of endurance and will rather than a test of fitness. If you look at a number of recaps, the statistics from the race show it to be the hottest on record and the highest drop out ratio to date. 25% of the women's field didn't make it to that finish line.
While I feel for those women, I am proud to say that I did make it. This race was first and foremost for me an experience. It was an experience in feeling my own strength and ability, testing my fitness, and pushing back my fears about hydration, race nutrition, and the sheer length of a marathon. It was an experience of seeing the huge crowd of Oiselle fans cheering on the side of the street, and feeling that energy and love push me through huge portions of the race. The Olympic Trials Marathon was seeing my family waving signs and screaming on the sideline, navigating fluid stations to grab my bottles, witnessing the physical test that is the marathon, and supporting and being supported by my fellow Oiselle women out there on the course. This race was all new, and it was all fun (even the painful parts- really!).
On Saturday morning, I woke up early to eat and wake up my body before the race. I was fairly nervous but tried to keep it cool as I lounged for a bit at the hotel and gathered all my stuff for the race. I probably woke up everyone around me playing music on my computer at 6 A.M....sorry! Then at 8:30 I headed downstairs to meet Caitlin, Sarah Mac, and the other women to head to the course. We arrived and entered the athlete staging area, sat down on some white plastic chairs to await the start, and talked among ourselves as more athletes trickled in.
At 9:45, I did a short warm up with Andie, my Oiselle NC teammate. We ran out to the warm up area roped off for athletes on Figueroa St. The crowd was already electric, and many people were cheering, especially for the top athletes as they warmed up with us. At 10:02 ish, it was time for a bathroom run, change of shoes, check in gear bag, and then gather for the start. At 10:10 all the women headed over the holding area to wait for the men's race to pass by after which it would be our turn! Wendy Shulik got some great photos of the team together in our race uniforms (which are boss):
As the race started, I focused on running strong and smooth. I knew that because it was such a hot day the weather would affect the race and it was critical to hydrate. I wanted to concentrate on getting in water, especially in the first half, and making all my fluids and gels when I had planned. I was pretty nervous about this, but as the race started, the nerves just melted away.
I could summarize each mile by the splits I found online post-race- analyzing where I messed up or where some spots could have been better (mile 3...sorry Coach..my bad!) but instead, here's my top 4 feelings about the race:
1. I felt strong- like, hey, I'm made for this distance!.\ I really felt over the whole race that my legs could carry me and I could hold the pace I was setting- around 6:06-7. The first half, especially, I felt smooth and controlled, and despite the heat was feeling good.
2. It was hot as heck. Around mile 16 I started to really let the heat sink in- I'd been ignoring it before. I started to dump water bottles all over myself at the fluid stations and really thought about how warm I was getting. I think the heat, plus the first marathon experience, and all factors combined contributed to how I felt in the last portion of the race.
3. What you hear about a marathon being 20 miles and then a 10k? Well, it's true. For me, it hit at mile 22. Miles 22-24 was when my stomach gave out on me.
Me: Come on, seriously?! We're almost there!
Stomach: Nope, sorry. Just can't hold out any longer. Too bad.
Needless to say, I didn't present the prettiest picture at the finish line. Luckily one of the finish volunteers got me a foil blanket to cover up with and I was able to wash myself off and change fairly quickly after finishing.
4. The camaraderie among the women in the race and between my Oiselle teammates was incredible. I was encouraged by so many women running and was able to try to encourage my teammates as well, and I think this atmosphere helped me be successful on Saturday. I am incredibly proud to be part of such a strong and determined Haute Voleé racers. Each of us on Saturday put forth an amazing effort and to be in that race, the Olympic Trials Marathon, is a testament to each of my teammates' accomplishments and dedication.
Here I am with my teammate Heather Lieberg about to round the final u-turn towards the finish line. At this point, the fact that I was not only about to finish my first marathon but also the Olympic Trials was hitting. I sprinted as hard as I could in the last .2 (which at that point probably looked like total trotting and not sprinting at all).
I can't say enough to thank Oiselle for supporting me in this journey. Sally, Kristin, the Nest, the Volee- you all rock! And of course my family, for all they do, including holding fantastic signs and standing for three hours to watch me run by ten times:
Stephanie Rothstein Bruce wrote to us and said "The OT Marathon is also one of the most emotional and hyped up races that often times your race plans goes out the window the second the gun goes off. So for those who had off days and were disappointed in their races, remember what got you to the starting line are the qualities you possess as a runner (mental toughness, perseverance, drive, and high pain tolerance.)" I think her words highlight the primary aspect of our sport, and why so many of us do it- because running, in the end, is not a showcase of talent but a demonstration of a person's heart. Every runner out there on Saturday demonstrated heart to get there. My love for the sport, not only competing but training every day, is what pushes me to continue.
It's moments like this past weekend that are the reward. I would have been happy with just finishing the race on Saturday, and it's only made greater by the way the race unfolded. I am full of joy, and full of hope, and full of excitement about what's to come, and happy to be able to do it with a team of inspiring and caring women.