Running the Race

PRAIRIE FIRE FULL MARATHON - FALL 2014

 

My first full marathon...ahhh! 

 

My friend Cori and I trained all summer and into October for this race, and it really flew by for me. I started training on my own back in June, starting with 6 miles as my long run on my very first "long run" Saturday...the first of many! Each weekend, we added about two miles and trained up to 20 miles and no farther. I was SO nervous for those last six miles as I had never run anything more than 20 during training. 

 

First of all, we could not have had better weather for this race. When I woke up, it was in the high 40s and as the sun rose, the temps topped out at about 55 throughout the whole race. No wind. Just sun and cool air. For me, anything over 75 is a little too warm for distance races!

 

Andrew, Liz, and I met Cori, her family, and lots of friends out front of the Boathouse at about 6:30 and it was dang cold at first! (But then I remembered Dallas 2011 - sleeting and low 30s - and I was no longer complaining!) We took our last potty breaks, including some potty breaks behind the building to avoid the port-a-potty lines (I wasn't brave enough for that!). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At about 7:25, we made our way to the start line. Prairie Fire is a smaller race, with only a few thousand signed up versus some of the bigger races (I know when I ran Dallas there were over 20,000 people running), so we felt like we'd be okay lining up right before the start. We got warmed up, but I was not letting go of my fleece jacket yet! I made sure my Garmin was set, listened to the Star Spangled Banner (still SO nervous) and then the horn blew and we were off! 

 

When we crossed over the start line, I knew we were too far back because we were pacing about 11:40 when we had paced 10:45 or less for most of training. The street was PACKED, so Cori and I tried to maneuver our way forwards without tripping ourselves or other people. 

 

As the runners spread out, we found ourselves right behind Emilee and Brooke who were running the half, and Sean riding his bike yelling at us from the sidelines, something about how he rode there so fast his ears felt like they were on fire. 

 

At mile 2, we threw our Jackets to Evan and Andrew who were waiting for us on their bikes. The weather was so perfect and we were feeling awesome! They met us every two miles to give us Gu or water if we needed it, even though we also had the water stations every couple of miles, manned by people dressed in crazy costumes and holding awesome posters. 

 

Some of my favorite signs included:

 

"Don't poop your pants!" 

"Run like you stole something!" (Uh, I would have got caught)

"Run fast! I just farted!"

"Smile if you peed a little!"

 

Volunteers and spectators are the BEST part of a race for me. I love seeing all the signs and so many friendly faces! I saw at least 10-15 people that had come out to cheer on Cori and I and all our friends running the half!

 

The first 13 miles flew. We were moving along great, pacing about 10 minutes per mile. We started walking through the water stations, but as far as walking, that's pretty much it. By this time, Andrew and Evan were right next to both of us on their bikes, which I was really grateful for because in a larger race that wouldn't be possible or probably even legal per race rules. But no one seemed to care; in fact, people seemed to think it was cool that we had our own "suppliers" right next to us! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We split off about mile 18 or so. At 18.5, I got to see some of my students working one of the water stations, and a girl from my 4th hour class handed me my cup of water. So awesome! I avoided Gatorade at all costs as it makes my tummy sick. My routine consisted of Gu every four miles, Nuun in my water bottle, and then gulping a cup of water at the stations. When it comes to running, I drink a TON of water and I drink at each water station. 

 

As I passed mile 20, I honestly felt fine. But after mile 21, I really don't remember much! Ha! I remember about mile 24 I stopped completely for about 30 seconds and put my hands on my knees. The medics came up on their bikes and asked if I was okay. I knew I was okay, just tired and REALLY hungry. I knew I had to finish so I could eat something! I gulped down my last Gu packet and kept going. Those last two miles there weren't many spectators, so that was hard. I plugged my music in and that seemed to help some. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember sometime in mile 25 I kept telling Andrew I thought I was going to pass out. Part of me wonders if I was really feeling that or just being dramatic, because I don't really remember. I just remember that I kept going, I guess! Then I saw it, the mile 26 marker, and I knew I was almost there. For most of our training runs, I was able to kill the last mile (well, kill it in Aubrie speed, which isn't lightning-fast or anything), but this time I was just plugging along! I saw the bridge and knew the finish line was just on the other side, and I could hear the announcer reading names as people crossed. I just remember yelling at Andrew, "THERE IT IS!" and Gracie yelling so loud (I loved it), "RUN, AUBRIE! RUN!" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I crossed the finish line in 4:32:09 and it was one of the best feelings AND also awesome to know that I avoided the port-a-potty for the whole race. This was a big concern for me as I tend to have lots of tummy issues on runs, especially when I am anxious! Seeing my family was really great. By the time I finished, there wasn't a ton of food left because I guess a lot of the half-marathoners had eaten it. This race is still relatively new, and even with its glitches I still loved it! So my mom and sister (who is a beast for running the 5k that morning!) grabbed me a banana and pizza. I did what you're not supposed to do, but I sat down in the middle of the sidewalk and put my head in my hands. I just remember thinking, "Don't pass out in front of all these people!" Once the Gatorade (which is such a treat at the end and tastes glorious) and pizza got in my system though, I was fine. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cori crossed the finish line not long after I did and I am so proud of her! She was awesome to have as a race partner and I hope we can run more races in the future with our bike-riding husbands. Tons of pictures ensued and then going home for a day of rest before that night's potluck at church. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I will cherish it forever...and probably sign up for another one. This girl's hooked.