the full rundown.

It's been two days since the Cape Cod Marathon and I'm still riding the runner's high. I didn't want to blow up your Instagram feed, so I saved most of the photos for this post. The snaps from the course were actually taken by {cv}--who rode the course twice on his road bike during my race. His first lap was to feel out the hills and the wind and the second go-around was to replenish my fuel. {cv} won the best husband award 26.2 times over on Sunday, that's for sure! He tried to capture the hilliness, but these pictures don't do the hills justice ;) 


Compared to the race I planned on running on Sunday, the Cape Cod Marathon was infinitely smaller. It definitely felt like a "runner's race". The hills were everything I read about and more, but it just made completing the race that much sweeter. Roads weren't completely blocked off during the race, so it required a bit more attention. Crowds were sparse, but when they were around, they were great! I had an angel in Susan, the woman who was the first to tell me "I could rest on the bus". {See the story behind my t-shirt here!} The personalized t-shirt paid off because I got lots of love from spectators and runners alike. If you're running a big race any time soon, do take the time to make your own!


Though the official results haven't been posted online, I eked out a sub-4:00 marathon by all of 77 seconds. {cv} and my parents called me a few times throughout the race to keep my energy up. When my dad called me at mile 25 {running directly into a 25mph+ wind}, he reminded me how close I was to reaching this milestone. {cv} and I had done the math on Saturday night and I knew a 9:10 pace would get me a sub-4. When I heard a 9:07 average pace at mile 23.5, I knew I needed to kick it in gear. I took resting on the bus literally and booked it during those last few miles. I'm so glad I did! Here is what the course looked like via Nike+. It is almost humorous to correspond the deep reds {aka my slowest points} with the elevation profile. Those blips were BIG hills.


If you look below at my splits, I can give a few reactions. I took the first five miles much more quickly than I planned. At mile 7, there were tons of spectators so I sped up a bit there. The rolling hills started around mile 8 and continued through mile 23. {Yes, you read that right.} My least favorite hill was at mile 10, though I had been worried more about the one at mile 20. Though I never hit the proverbial wall, I started feeling way too full around mile 16. I was taking more water/cytomax than I planned during the water stops, so I think that might explain it. {cv} caught up with me closer to mile 23, which was later than he planned, but I was grateful. I needed him more there than I would have at mile 20.


All in all, it may be those last three miles I'm most proud of during the race. We were running into the wind on the coast into a wall of sea spray. It was seriously brutal. Getting the push from {cv} in the 23rd mile and the call from my dad in the 25th mile made me realize I couldn't back down. Had I walked on a hill or stopped for a bathroom break, I would have sacrificed those 77 seconds and missed the 4:00 hour mark. Though my knee may not like me much right now, I am so glad I kept pushing for the finish line.

With that, I can happily say my second full marathon is in the books. I'm looking to you all for some remedies to my post-race woes {i.e. crazy limping + achiness}. This girl needs some relief ;) Thank you again for your love throughout my training and the race. I couldn't have done it without you!

45 comments:

  1. Wow - congratulations! I've done a couple (quite hilly) half marathons but can't believe all the work and dedication that goes into a full one. I think if you can get yourself through that, you can handle most things life throws at you! And I don't know too much about handling aches & pains, but my ultimate post-race treat is a chocolate milkshake...

    ReplyDelete
  2. So proud! Now I feel inspired to finally do one ;). The cape cod one sounds absolutely marvelous since i hear it is gorgeous around there this time of the year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats!! That's absolutely fantastic and it looked like a challenge. That shirt is too cute, what a great idea! You should be so proud of yourself, what a great milestone to accomplish!

    ReplyDelete
  4. seriously incredible, av! i am just so impressed

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats! I almost ran Cape Cod until I heard about the "hills". I opted to run Hartford, CT. I love TRAUMEEL, it's a homeopathic cream that works brilliantly on sore muscles. After my marathon in October I used it on my knees twice a day. I also think a post marathon massage is worth every penny and Epsom salt baths work wonders as well.

    Feel better and congratulations on your speedy marathon finish!!!
    xM

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on a great race! Stories like yours always remind me of why I love to run!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Did you make your shirt yourself or have it made someplace? I looks amazing and I'd love to be able to make one.
    Thanks,
    xM

    ReplyDelete
  8. Whew girl I don't know how you do it! Congrats on the race!! Great pictures... and a great hubby for support too! Love your shirt :)

    Alissa
    FeelingGoodFashion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on the race! I have no recovery tips...but if I had just run a race I'd probably follow it up with a pan of brownies :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations! That's so incredible and I've been inspired to try one myself. Thanks for the break down, it's always cool to see someone being honest about facing obstacles and overcoming them. I'd recommend yoga for the achiness & swimming for your poor knees! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Holy goodness amazing job!! Congratulations deary, wish I could one day muster up the energy + courage to attempt running!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AN ICE BATH! Well, that's what rugby players do after a game, so I'm thinking it might hold some rehab for your sore muscles!

    Congratulations on this amazing feat, 26 miles is such a great distance and you did it in quite a good time! It's definitely more than I can say for myself, I gave up cross country in school!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my gosh your hubby and family sounds so wonderful and supportive-glad you had such a great team! Congrats again! I truly cannot imagine running one myself, let alone with all of the hills and the wind. Amazing, amazing job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so proud of you and so inspired! Thanks for sharing the recap. I can't believe you were taking calls, ha!

    ReplyDelete
  15. you (and {cv}!) are amazing. what an accomplishment! you should be SO proud of yourself - I am :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is incredible. I am so proud of you! I cannot imgine running so far, and a course that you hadn't planned on! You go girl! You are so inspirational! I am cracking up that you were on the phone during your race! I can barely think and run! Relax and recover!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. you seriously are a super star! congrats on the race, such an accomplishment!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats, girl! That's amazing. Ice, Motrin and rehydrate.
    -Becky

    ReplyDelete
  19. congrats! congrats! last time I ran one... I was in San Diego for the Rock in Roll Marathon and jumped in the hot tub after the race (completely opposite of the ice bath that they recommend) and it worked! so im a big believe that water will heal! xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. CONGRATULATIONS special girl!!!
    I am so so proud of you, you are a super woman and a true inspiration to us all!!!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations, girl!!!! I'm always in awe of anyone who completes a marathon! Something else to add to your list of things you accomplished!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations! I love your shirt too, possibly because we go by the same (nick) name! I always tell people to spell it like prince Ali when I go somewhere, but now I want a shirt like that, hah! What an accomplishment!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations!!! I'm so proud of you! How did the knee do?! It's such an awesome accomplishment that hit sub-4 :) I'm still trying to go sub-2 for my half marathon time. I'm closer, but not quite there yet. I just can't wait to be back to running again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congratulations on an amazingly successful race ladyfriend! You are so strong, so wonderful and simply AMAZING for running this marathon SO quickly! I'm glad you had such a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  25. SO incredible proud and impressed by your race time. I told James' sister all about it, as she just ran her second marathon a few weeks ago. She was equally impressed. Hope you're recovering and have power. XOX

    ReplyDelete
  26. YAY! Congrats love! What an amazing accomplishment. And your time-- you kicked BUTT! I'd love to run a marathon in my lifetime. Hope the recovery goes well. Lots of chocolate :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats girl! That's such an amazing accomplishment and do to it in under 4 hours is incredible! Also, I love your shirt, that's such a great idea :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. amazing!! congratulations :)
    when i ran the london marathon, my physio told me to add epsom salts to warm water and bathe for about half an hour per day. it really seemed to work and i do this every time my knee plays up now. xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. Way to go!!! What an amazing accomplishment! The course looks so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congratulations on making it through and meeting your goal time! That is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congrats on such a great accomplishment!!! So glad to hear how happy you are : )

    ...Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congrats!!! Way to go!! That is fantastic! Hope you are getting some rest.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congrats Alison! You're a machine. I'm so impressed you pulled out a sub-4 in this kind of race. And woah buddy those first 4 miles are insane! Your fastest mile is your first. Nice job holding on and pushing yourself at the end in the hardest part. Can't wait to run mine in January!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Congrats on the marathon!!! That is such an awesome time! Did you follow any certain training plan? I'm planning on doing my first marathon in the fall and am so nervous!!!

    -Erin-
    OneTwoSummer

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congratulations on your race!! I volunteered at a Trialthon this weekend and was blown away by the dedication and athleticism of all the participants. How are you recovering?! What was training like??

    You did it!! Enjoy that runners high :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Congrats!!! You did an awesome job- LOVE your shirt!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Heck yeah, girl! That is so awesome. What an accomplishment!

    ReplyDelete
  38. HUGE congrats to you, miss! I have a half marathon on my to-do list. I was never what I would call "a runner," but I want to take on the challenge. You deserve to celebrate, especially with the last-minute race switch.

    evannclingan.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Congrats! That is a huge accomplishment! It's refreshing how much you looked on the bright side of this marathon, despite not being able to run in one of your favorites! I am absolutely in love with your shirt, I may want some pointers when it comes time to make a shirt for myself! Love hearing about how supportive your husband was :) Again, congrats! xo L

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow, you are incredible for eeking out a sub 4:00 on a windy, hilly course! I loved hearing about your recap, I've long considered the Cape Cod Marathon as a possibility. I hope you are feeling better by now, do you have "the Stick?" That plastic stick of rollers did wonders for me post marathon(s). Congrats again!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Congratulations! I am so very very impressed, and the course looks gorgeous as do you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Congratulations! Hills and all! 4:00 on a hilly course that you didn't train for? Get it!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello Every One Out Here
    I'm from United States North Bergen(US). I read some testimony about Dr. Iyaryi on how he has helped people in bringing back there ex within 48 hours i was just thinking if that was real,And decided to call a lady who made a testimony and also dropped her number,So i called her and ask her about Dr. Iyaryi she said Dr. Iyaryi is a trustworthy man and he his ready to bring back my lover for me,i was just so happy and a little bit relief that my lover will be back to me soon,Then i decided in contacting Dr. Iyaryi which i did,And before i could share him my problem he has already told me what i came for,And he said everything will be okay within 48 hours that my lover will be back to my arms,So he said he would be casting the spell and that within 48 hours my lover would call me,So i hoped so truly before the 48 hours i got a call from a man who has left me for the past 6 years saying he is sorry and he wants me back,i was happy and i said i also want him back,Then i traveled to Canada to meet him up,And he apologized for what he has done to me now he proposed to marry me and we are both preparing for our wedding soon,All thanks to the great and World best spell caster, Dr. Iyaryi His private mail driayaryi2012@hotmail.com you can also add Dr. Iyaryi on whatsApp +2349057915709

    ReplyDelete