Windermere Marathon Recap

Another race for the baby!! Oh and Happy National Running Day!!

It’s no wonder it’s hard to do ultrasounds with my wee little one. Bean is one active baby and moves like crazy in my stomach. It’s amazing feeling him/her and watching him/her. He/She was definitely ready for our marathon on Sunday.

I haven’t fully recovered since Boston, as I have done 3 races since then, 4 counting this marathon, all in a matter of 6 weeks since Boston. So to be honest I wasn’t fully looking forward to this race.

My legs have been dead-weights on most my training runs since Boston, throwing in pregnancy doesn’t help. However, I was excited to run with my husband for his first marathon. Our family of three!!

We stayed at my sisters, since she lives 1 mile from the start of the race. The race then finishes 20 miles west in downtown Spokane, mostly ran on the Centennial Trail. The race start was at 7 am. My brother-in-love and nephew dropped us off at the starting line around 6:30.

I met up with some of the girls on my running team from the Swifts before race time.

Lindsay and I before the race

The race was delayed 25 minutes as we waited for buses to drop runners off. I wasn’t too happy about this, being that the sun was shining, there were no clouds and it was already 60 degrees. Pregnancy doesn’t like warm race day weather.

Marc and I toed the line together and we were off. I was supposed to pace him, but went out way too fast. We were doing 7:00/7:30 min miles for 11 miles. I couldn’t seem to reign myself in.

By the half way point, I was already feeling so tired and my legs were growing heavy. It was warming up on the trail, and I was thankful for any short stretch of shade. I wore a “Running for Two” tank with “I am Pregnant and I am Beating You” on the back.

The guys got a kick out of it, and were so determined not to let a pregnant women beat them. I received so many comments and laughs from my shirt. It helped keep Marc and I in smiles, as we joked with others.

Mile 1: 7:16 Mile 2: 7:05 Mile 3:7:14 Mile 4: 7:13 Mile 5: 7:21 Mile 6: 7:22 Mile 7: 7:30 Mile 8: 7:31 Mile 9:7:25

We slowly started to slow the pace down, as I could feel dehydration and too much intensity for Bean. I took water stations more seriously. Even with all the sun and rising temps, I wasn’t sweating, but yet was so hot. I knew I needed more water.

Mile 10: 7:34 Mile 11: 7:30  Mile 12: 7:52 Mile 13: 7:33

Reaching half way felt great. Marc was such a great sport the whole way through. The bike support on the trail was so uplifting. It’s a small race so there’s not a crowd of runners or lots spectators, which can mentally make it tough for some. I don’t mind it, but I did love the bikers comments.

They would all read my tank and I heard one young gentlemen say “she must not be that far along,” (just 19 weeks dude) then another would shout out, “dude not only is a pregnant lady beating you, her baby is beating you.” I would laugh and smile. I told the guys not to feel bad, “the baby has the easy part.”

Mile 14: 7:40 Mile 15: 7:58 Mile 16: 8:35 Mile 17: 8:05  Mile 18: 9:00

Once we reached mile 16, my legs were too heavy for me. I walked briefly through the aid stations trying to focus on getting enough water. My husband was definitely feeling it at this point, and our fast early miles were catching up to us. I kept saying we would slow down, but my husband pointed out later I never really slowed down.

I stopped at mile 7.5 to use the restroom and again at mile 18. By this point Marc was saying “Why does anyone do this for fun?!” I felt so bad for our fast pace. Marc said I just took off, and he couldn’t keep up.

I looked back and I couldn’t see him, as I hit mile 19. My friend Lindsay had passed while I was in the bathroom, and I caught her. She wasn’t enjoying the race. I told her I would run/walk with her to allow my hubby to catch up.

I was spotting when I stopped to pee, so I knew I needed to cut back. I was scared for the baby, so I was glad to have Lindsay force me to slow down. I got a nose bleed and horrible stomach cramps as well. The last 6-7 miles were my worst miles ever!! I have never felt this way in a marathon, nor have I done so much walking.

I wanted to run, but I knew if I did it wouldn’t be a slow pace, so I embraced walking/running and swallowed my pride. I was thankful Lindsay helped me to slow it down, and for some company.

Around mile 20-21 at this point. 

Lindsay and I

A runner friend and amazing photographer took these photos. He does it every year.

Mile 19: 8:41 Mile 20: 8:26 Mile 21: 9:34 Mile 22: 9:13 Mile 23:10:06

Shortly after Marc passed and James told him “Go catch her, she’s just up there.”

It was the best feeling seeing mile 24 and only being 2 miles from the finish. I was hoping my hubby wasn’t going to be too mad that I slowly left him behind. I reached mile 25 and felt a surge of energy, but still kept it safe.

Mile 24: 11:27 Mile 25: 10:22 Mile 26:10:03  Mile 27: 2:25 Official Time: 3:42:54 , 8:28 average.

Reaching the park was a relief, and turning onto the bridge to the finish made me smile. A guy tried to catch me at the end, but couldn’t. Later he said he kept laughing at my shirt and was determined to catch me, but in the end I out sprinted him. He said thanks for the motivation when he needed it. I didn’t know my tank would be so inspiring and motivating to others. 😉

Soldiers in uniform gave us our medals, and after I got my rose and some water, I walked back to watch Marc finish. He crossed the finish line with a smile, and had such a great attitude, even through all his pain. I was so proud of him!! He did amazing for his first marathon, considering the heat and our too fast pace in the beginning.

He says he’ll never do another marathon and wants to stick with the half marathon, but we will see. 😉

We checked our official times before leaving, and I learned I got first in my age group. We waited for the awards ceremony, and baby now has another trophy and age group win!!

Last year I ran a 3:11 and was second in my age group, and 4th overall. Times were definitely slower this year, considering I was first in my age group with a much slower time!!

I’ll keep you posted on whether or not Marc signs up for another marathon. 😉 Oh and he finished in 3:51, which is great for his first marathon!!

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit

Did you enjoy your first marathon? What was your experience like? What are your plans for National Running Day?