Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

Napa Valley Marathon

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever.   :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years.  This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :) 


Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life.   To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs.  To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner.  To enjoy running more and more with every passing year. 

Personal:

Baby boomer generation.  Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's.  Started running seriously in 2002.  Low-carb runner since January 2010. 

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather.  I don't believe in "junk miles."  I am an optimist.  I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.  

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are."  -- Joan Benoit Samuelson 


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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles: 891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles: 23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles: 965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles: 198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles: 104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles: 536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles: 16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles: 219.53
Race: Napa Valley Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:21:14
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

4:17:21 Garmin Time  4:21:17 (transposed those numbers - bad sub-conscious! bad! bad!)

Official results now up.  4:21: 14  :) 

40F at the start, rising to 50s? 60s? Very sunny, all clear skies.


Executive Summary:  Another hilly marathon, though certainly less so than Victoria last October (almost identical time as Victoria, just around 30 seconds faster).  Did not feel I did my best today; just wasn't "on." Apologies to my gentlemen readers, but this was the worse time of the month for me to be running. I felt the slowness but was also very pleased about pushing through it.  Lovely, lovely course, though too much sunshine for yours truly. Had a bit of leg cramping in second half.  Walked only through water stops except a couple of very brief walking in last 4 miles to work out cramp. 

Splits: 10:15, 10:14, 10:14, 9:32, 9:46, 9:53, 9:53, 9:15, 9:29, 9:55, 9:41, 10:14, 9:34, 10:24, 9:08, 9:23, 9:56, 9:12, 9:57, 10:35, 9:49, 9:51, 10:23, 10:37, 10:00, 11:21, and last .2 @ 8:45. 



I'm debating as to how much whining I should put into this report, because it really was an extraordinary, gorgeous, well-organized marathon that I would definitely do again.  I guess I'll whine a little, but try to keep it brief, then talk about the abundance of "good stuff" about this course.   I wasn't at my best today, and I never run well in sunshine, and there was a headwind after about mile 10 or 11, and there were a ton of hills, with the exception of some long flat terrain after mile 20, and my left leg kept cramping up a bit, possibly because of the severe cant in the road during the first half, or possibly because of the warmth.  There. I think I'm done now. 


The course...  The Napa Valley Marathon is one of the most beautiful courses I've run, through vineyards and oak studded green hills.  For those who enjoy crowd support, you get it in little bursts at the cross streets as you run down the closed-to-traffic Silvarado Trail.  Or, UNtrail, as it is a two lane 45-55 mph highway.  The first 10 or 11 miles consists of rolling hills (pleasant) with a couple of steep, short hills thrown in (not pleasant).  From the mid point on, the hills become less steep but longer, culminating with the 1.3 mile 5% grade stretch that comes up around 19. (Already the memory elves are trying to erase it...)  After mile 20 or so the course is fairly flat and straight (which can be a little challenging mentally as you see all the miles stretching out before you).  In the last mile the course snakes through the town of Napa California, ending at a high school, where I had a nice cup of broth and a hot shower. Well, not terribly hot. Warm. 


First half...  It took me about 7 miles to feel "warmed up."  In spite of my mediocre splits, I was able to  get into a 9:30-9:20 pace by mile 4 - when I was traveling on flat or down hill that is. On the up hills, I eased up and stopped looking at the watch, careful not to "fight" the hills. The walk breaks in the water stops were about 30 seconds long.  The first 10 miles were the prettiest, I thought.  Throughout the course, the vineyards were incredible, and most of them feature a mansion in French Provincial or California Mission style, or some other jaw dropping form of grandeur.  The widely varying climate of this valley makes it possible to see giant cacti, pines, lemon trees, and oaks all in the same stretch of highway.


Second half...  The second half of my marathon was extremely challenging.  I wanted to find someone to draft on when the head wind started, but we seemed to enter the Carnage Zone a little early in this race, so all my candidates were either moving too fast, or dropping to a walk once I caught them.  But mentally, I think I did quite well.  Knowing by about mile 15 that I was not having a stellar day, I'm sure I could have slipped into some serious self-pity but I didn't.  There was a moment around mile 22 when I knew there was no hope whatsoever for a PR and felt a drop in my energy, but it didn't last long.  So many people were struggling at that point and I love, love, LOVE passing people in the last miles - it really gave me a boost to think about the fact that I was "hurting but still strong."  The left quad cramping up was so disappointing, but a completely different outcome from the same problem a year ago in Eugene (also a warm day with some weird paving); I was able to relax it enough to keep running.  The severe slowdown in mile 26 was me deciding to shuffle occasionally rather than surrender to more walking.  See my kick at the end?  Ouch. 


Flotsam...  I should also mention the very nice expo, and good speakers, including Dean Karnazes, who, despite what anyone will say about his character, is an amazing and inspiring runner.  Our hotel in Calistoga, though buggy (stuff not working, Best Western style), was a delightful .25 mile from the start.  The sun came over the mountains the very moment of the "...and the rockets red glare..." being sung by the amazing John Keston.   Mr. Sno and the lovely SnoFlake drove to Napa and ran the 5K (Mr. Sno barefoot as usual, a moving conversation piece).  They were there at the finish with my bag, joined by my sister, up from Oakland with her husband, neither of whom has ever come to any of my races.  And speaking of bags, THE BEST RACE SCHWAG EVER: the Napa Valley Marathon duffle or backpack (I chose the backpack). Lovely shirt and nice medal.  A wonderful marathon.

ST3-M Miles: 26.20
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Sun, Mar 07, 2010 at 23:30:23 from 24.8.167.243

Well, congratulations on #20! You are absolutely amazing. Great job on the negative split, the kick at the end, and the positive attitude.

It sounds like it was a beautiful race and great in many ways, even if you weren't feeling your best.

Is Newport going to be #21? You don't have another marathon scheduled between now and then, do you? Though I wouldn't put it past you.

From SnoFlake on Sun, Mar 07, 2010 at 23:48:05 from 69.226.136.41

WOOHOO, GO MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAY FOR MARATHON NUMBER 20!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!

From Bonnie on Sun, Mar 07, 2010 at 23:49:09 from 64.119.33.134

Sno -- you rock! I miss you ... I need you at every race, you are my inspiration.

I want to figure out a way to get to Newport to be a part of your support crew.

xoxo

From nicole on Sun, Mar 07, 2010 at 23:49:39 from 67.170.27.155

CONGRATULATIONS! Way to push through the struggles and come through! Sounds beautiful, I wish there were pictures! Which marathon is next?

From auntieem on Sun, Mar 07, 2010 at 23:55:18 from 67.182.146.94

So happy to see your report at last! (I've been checking since, maybe noon?). Congratulations! Number 20 - unbelievable! Totally unbelievable to me, the distance weenie. After knowing you for a year (?) or so, I am just beginning to comprehend this distance thing and how incredible it is that you JUST KEEP DOING IT!!!

SO EXCITED FOR NEWPORT! Yes, Bonnie, come to Newport.

From jtshad on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 at 08:10:41 from 12.50.194.194

Congrats! Not feeling the best and running with "slowness" and still negative splitting is awesome.

Glad you enjoyed the race and bagged your 20th marathon!

From Solemate on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 at 11:39:17 from 76.103.182.254

Congratulations!! I enjoyed meeting you.

From JD on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 at 11:54:49 from 70.96.78.157

Congratulations on # 20! You're one strong runner. Negative split on a challenging second half course in a marathon. You are the endurance queen! Think you'll ever run an ultra?

From Marathon Dreamer on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 at 12:36:10 from 200.52.168.2

Excellent!!! I can't wait to run my first.... you give me hope!!!

From allie on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 at 12:39:41 from 67.177.0.102

awesome job! another marathon in the books. way to kick it in at the end. it sounds like a beautiful race.

From Snoqualmie Ridge Runner on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 at 22:32:32 from 76.22.10.204

Newport = Flatness

You are going to LOVE it!

Great job...those hills at the ridge are paying dividends for you...

From Snoqualmie on Tue, Mar 09, 2010 at 10:32:38 from 24.18.192.33

Thanks for all the nice words of encouragement, everyone!

Carolyn & Nicole - Newport is next (early June), plus a half-m at the beginning of May. (To be treated as speed work and rehearsal.)

Bonnie - That's so nice of you. You should come to Newport for *you* though. It's supposed to be an awesome course. I've got the world's nicest family following me around to all these gigs you know. And if the sun is blazing hot or the onshore breeze happens to be a typhoon that day, think how bad I'll feel that you came all that way to see me be mediocre again! :) Come on up for the race though. I'm sure you and Dean will love the beach and we would really enjoy seeing you again.

jtshad - You are a rock star to me. Thanks for "autographing" my race report! :)

Solemate - It was so great to spend some time with you! And thanks for the gift and introducing me to the masters champ. Incredible lady! You live in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

JD - I don't see myself ever running ultras, even though I do seem to have that ...um ...bent personality? I think I'd have to train on trails and I'm not comfortable on trails by myself. Maybe someday. Not anytime soon.

Jeffrey - You have given me so much encouragement. Thank you!!! I am a worrier by nature, so now my brain is starting to worry that I'm not used to running long distances on flat surface. (People say that can be hard.) I guess I'll just have to do more SVT running. Gravel = "moan."

From Dale on Tue, Mar 09, 2010 at 20:34:40 from 64.206.238.40

Wow, you're really good at finding challenging courses & conditions! Hills and winds and sun, oh my! And #20? Quite the accomplishment. Congrats on another well-fought battle.

From Scott Ensign on Tue, Mar 09, 2010 at 21:39:18 from 65.100.253.126

20 marathons, nice job, you are 17 ahead of me!

From Lysa on Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 13:20:04 from 174.52.15.101

you are amazing! good job running through that time of month, I always HATE that. NO energy, lethargic and it seems to always mess with me mentally as well. You are a brave woman, 20 marathons!! That is incredible. congratulations!

From april27 on Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 20:44:10 from 99.188.251.180

Yeah!!! Number 20...Sounds like a gorgeous race. Sorry it didn't go as well as you wanted but I think you still did well for all the rolling hills!

From Smooth on Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 17:58:21 from 174.23.198.220

Sorry I'm late reading this! CONGRATS on marathon #20! You're amazing! Sounds like a nice marathon! You did GREAT consider the time of month, the hilly course, heat and leg cramps in the later part of the race. EXCELLENT JOB! What a STRONG marathoner you are!!!

From Mark on Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 12:01:59 from 24.129.132.74

Sounds like a beautiful but challenging course, definitely on my wish list. Also on my wish list is the elusive negative split! Congratulations on one more solid marathon.

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