oh yeah, i’m running a marathon
I think I forgot to mention something super important. Something kinda big. Something my most faithful readers shouldn’t have to ask me about.
Like the fact that I’m running a marathon on Sunday.
Oops? In all of my excitement about running Big Sur (which I am still super excited about, even though part of the course, um, fell into the ocean), I failed to mention that I have another spring marathon on tap. Once I realized that Big Sur isn’t exactly a PR course, I decided to set my sights on something a little easier to run fast in. Plus, if you’re going to run of the most beautiful marathon courses, you might as well give yourself the option to enjoy it without thinking about running fast fast fast.
While I thought about running the National Marathon in DC, I opted instead to run the Ocean Drive Marathon in Cape May, NJ. Why? Well, let’s see:
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I have friends running it!
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It’s close.
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It’s flat as a pancake. Maybe almost as flat as Chicago.
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The winning women’s time last year was 3:17. Just saying.
Soooo that means that I’m at the end of my taper! Six days until marathon day, and to say that I’m not a little nervous would be quite the lie. Despite the fact that this will be my seventh marathon, I never fail to doubt the fact that I can run so far so fast. I haven’t been fully healthy for my past three marathons, so I had reasons to believe that I might not hit my goals for them. However, this time I’ve had a pretty good round of training with lots of long runs…not as much speedwork as I would like (that’s always the case), but overall I know I’m ready. I had some great 18-22 milers, and a fabulous half marathon that was run without even a taper.
So basically, I have no reason to doubt myself. Not going to lie, a lot of my doubts and fears were replaced with pure excitement after watching some of the NYC Half Marathon yesterday morning. I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch it since the elites would be past by the time I got out of work, but I gave report in record time and bolted over to Central Park with tonssss of time to catch the elites. Even before they showed up, I loved watched the masses of runners on the east side of Central Park. People looked happy and spectating is much more fun than most people realize! Sadly I only had my iPhone with me to take pictures, but they didn’t turn out too shabby:
Lead men!
Meb! No one else cheered for him…who are these people??
Ryan Hall was a bit behind the pack…
LEAD WOMEN. So inspiring.
I wish I got better pictures, but it was so great to see these amazing runners zoom by me! They’re so fast and so fit and I’m so jealous. Who wants to pay me to run??
Once the elites flew by, I kept my eye out for other people who might be running…I knew a few, but didn’t pay much attention to what they might be wearing/what numbers they might have since I didn’t think I’d catch them on the course. Soon enough I saw Josh come through (1:18!), thought I spotted Lindsay (1:24), and yelled at Baker (1:27). My goodness, I have speedy friends! Then the masses came through and it’s much, much harder to pick out runners. Sorry if I missed you! Still had a great time cheering for everyone!
Watching the elite runners made me realize that I have a new goal in life: I want to run fast enough to get my name on the front of my shirt. Just once.
You know how the elites are all listed by their names? (First names for the women, last names for the men…is that sexist? That’s another topic…) That would be awesome. I’m definitely not anywhere near that level, but how wouldn’t that be amazing? Maybe one day…
Awesome! Thanks so much for cheering susan! It really helped me seeing all my friends at different points keeping me moving because I had a horrible race, I was really sick in the morning.
Can’t wait to hear about how you CRUSH it next weekend. Gonna be awesome! Will be thinking of you.
And maybe you get to pick what name you want on your bib. Meb gets his first name. You’ll have to let me know (since I’m confident you’ll achieve that goal). If I were you, I’d ask them to list me as “Bad Ass.” Just a suggestion…
Good luck next weekend! Hey, at least it’s not supposed to rain/snow…
Wow I hope the field for the marathon is super small and you win! Seriously how cool would that be!!!
It would be amazing!
Good luck on Sunday! I’m running the NJ Marathon on May 1 for this same reason…flat and fast!
HOT DANG! Well, you are going to be great this weekend! And I totally am in love with your name goal…that would be a dream!
AHHHH I AM SO SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO WIN YOUR MARATHON THIS WEEKEND. TRUST your training. YOu are going to do absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to read the recap!!
wow, only 6 days left?? sending tons of luck your way!
Oh my gosh I had no idea you were running a MARATHON this weekend– how exciting! You have had awesome training runs so far, so trust in your training and you will do great. The Cape May course sounds ideal for a PR- flat and fast!
I’m so happy you may have spotted me! I was in a pink drift and grey spandex shorts. It was such a fun race and thank you for coming out and cheering, the spectators helped so much
We will definitely have to meet up and go for a recovery run after your marathon!
Good luck this weekend! I think you were wise to pick another course besides Big Sur to go for a PR on.
There are some races that let you put your name on the bib and it’s fun to have random people cheering for you. I say having the first name is better than the last:)
oh my gosh! You totally kept this from us! Good luck this weekend, can’t wait to hear all about it!
Best!!! You have trained well. I have no doubt that you will do well. Look forward to reading your results.
awww so fun you got to watch! cape may is beautiful that will be SUCH a fantastic race. routing for you
I was wondering if you were ever going to announce this!!
I am so excited for you and I canNOT wait to see how you do this weekend!! No pressure, but I’m hoping to hear some exciting news! I mean, if you win a marathon, that’s got to qualify you for name-on-your-bib status, right?? 
I know some people who are running this one, too! Hopefully the weather will be amazing. I’ve heard of some marathons where you can get your name printed on your shirt even if you are back of the pack, but that always seemed like cheating a little bit, to me. If you run the Mini 10K in New York, though, you can get an “elite start”!
Ha, oh, a marathon on Sunday? No big thing! It sounds like a good one–flat and with friends!
Congrats& Good Luck!! Cape May is beautiful- that will be a nice race!! Not tooooo far from where Courtney and I are from!!
your gonna kill it this weekend, your so speedy. im already jealous, i want to go run that race.
Cannot wait to see you ROCK IT this weekend!!!!!!
um…. HOW DID I NOT KNOW YOU WERE RUNNING A MARATHON THIS WEEKEND?!?!?!?!?! Is there a way to track you? B/c I want to cheer along from SoDak.
Ah yay! What fun! Good luck
I just read your post on Aron’s blog, I loved your Boston recap!!
Best of luck in your marathon this weekend, kick butt!!
Hi, I just came over to your blog from your post at Aron’s. Great advice (if I ever get to Boston)! I just saw someone wearing the Ocean Drive Marathon shirt this weekend and I got so excited to see that race existed. I used to go on vacation to Cape May every year and I have relatives that live in Sea Isle City. I’d love to run that one day. Enjoy the views!!
great post you had on Aron’s blog! Sounds like Boston is a great experience!
And that is awesome that you got to see Meb and Ryan Hall in the NYC half! I was able to meet Meb at the San Jose half marathon last year, he is a really nice guy, and totally down to earth. It was so inspiring watching him win the silver medal in the marathon back in 2004 in Athens, amazing stuff.
Yay! Have fun at your full this weekend!
I am happy you were able to catch the elites! But what is up with the last name first name thing?!
You DO have speedy friends!
Run like fire!!!! You can do it :>
Flat as a pancake.. hope it worked out for you!!
I am very interested as I am thinking of crossing NJ off the list with this race.
Gotta Run,
Mike
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