I was invited by my ultra-running friends to run a marathon on their son's birthday. What's a better way to celebrate a birthday than to run a marathon? It was his very first official marathon. His parents put together an official marathon with registration, bibs, shirt, finisher's medal, and everything else.
On Wednesday after work, I swung by a local McDonald's to pick up my usual meal before a marathon, 20 piece chicken McNuggets and a Quarter Pounder with cheese.
20 piece chicken McNuggets and a Quarter Pounder with cheese
I took a personal day off from work and drove out to Temecula. It turned out to be a rainy Thursday morning drive. I was optimistic that the rain storm would not reach the Temecula Valley because all of the weather forecasts said so. The rain pretty much stop at the 15 freeway. I was able to get off of the freeway just as a huge accident took place about a mile up ahead. The traffic was definitely already starting to back up. I stopped by a McDonald's to buy some Sausage Egg McMuffins before heading over to the park. The further east I drove, the rain got lighter until it was only barely a mist.
The race started and finished at the Pauba Ridge Park in Temecula. The course was an out-and-back totaling 6.55 miles. So for the marathon we had to run it 4 times. I tried something new thing for this race. I took the bladder out of my hydration pack and carried a few Sausage Egg McMuffins to see if they can be used for mid-race fueling. I also packed arm sleeves and rainproof gloves in case it started to rain. It was a good thing that I never had to pull them out.
Start/Finish area - aid station
First half
Instead of singing the National Anthem, we sang Happy Birthday to the birthday boy. Then off we went. The course started off heading west on the Pauba Bridle Path. We had to cross the street at Butterfield Stage Road. This was the only part of the course where we had to wait for a green light. We then took a left turn at Meadows Parkway where we ran on the sidewalk. Shortly after passing the Meadows Park, we hung a left onto a little dirt trail. At the end of the trail, we turn right on Butterfield Stage Road where it's back on the sidewalk. From here it was a long steady decline down to De Portola Road. It was a nice downhill, but in the back of my mind I knew that this would turn into a dreaded steady uphill on the way back. We then turned right at De Portola Road and hopped on the De Portola Bridle Path. We ran on the path until we got close to Campanula Way. The turn around was marked with chalk and 2 gallon bottles of water and Fluid.
I ran most of the way for the first two out and backs with my friends, Andrea and Laura. This was a slow pace for Andrea, as she kept wanting to push the pace. I backed off as I wanted to be somewhat fresh for the Las Vegas RnR Marathon on Sunday evening which was only about 3 days away. I ate some of my McMuffins at the aid station. But I had brought along my Margarita Shotbloks just in case.
33:49 (10:19)
33:50 (10:19)
2:25 aid station break
33:19 (10:10)
36:37 (11:10)
Off we go!
Low 5 near the turn around
Turn around spot
Second half
The McDonald's bag disintegrated, so I ditched the McMuffins at the aid station. Also eating them was making me sick to my stomach. A friend of Colby's parents joined me on the next out and back. They told her that I would be walking most of it, so she can get in about a 10k. I switched to a slow jog and walking combo. It was pretty nice to have company especially in a smaller race. When we got back to the aid station, I refilled my bottle and headed back out for the final out and back. I stopped at the Meadows Park to use the restroom. It was pretty uneventful as this was the fourth time covering the same route. However it was somewhat nice to be very familiar with every up and down and turns of the course. Also I got to see and avoid the same dog crap on the sidewalk for the 8th time. :)
46:22 (14:09)
47:47 (14:35)
4:13 aid station break
46:19 (14:08)
46:34 (14:13)
Finish: 5:31:18
Post-race
Apparently I was the last or one of the last runners to finish. I guess I should've taken the early start. I missed Colby's finish, but I saw the pictures and heard the play by play so it was as if I was actually there for his triumph. I was glad that I was able to be a part of his birthday celebration. We shot the breeze, ate, and played fetch with the dog, Ginger. I wish that there were more reasons for me to take a day off from work in the middle of the week... especially to run a marathon! :)
Shirt, bib, and medal
My goal was to finish around 5:30 and not wreck myself for my next race which has a somewhat soft 4.5 hour time limit. My right ankle was still the weak link in my body. It got sore, but I kept it very easy in the second half which helped made it tolerable. In this race I found out that McMuffins did not agree with me when I'm running. But I might try using them again in an ultramarathon when I'll be doing a lot more power walking.
No comments:
Post a Comment