I'm so far behind on the blog, that I can't even remember details of this race! My longstanding goal has been to run a sub 4 hour marathon. My ultimate goal for Lincoln was to run a 3:55 (3 hour 55 minute) marathon. On May 5th I achieved that goal...I ran a 3:53:50!!! This is a personal best for me.
I travelled to Lincoln with Jess and Sarah. The alarm clock went off at 4:30am and we were on the road by 5:00 because we still had to pick up our packets and bibs for the race. We got to Lincoln with plenty of time to spare, and we scored sweet parking. It was not even a block from the starting line. It was only 40 degrees at the start of the race, and it stayed pretty chilly the entire time. I came with a long sleeve shirt, but I ditched it before the marathon even started because I know I heat up quickly once I start running. I ran in shorts and a tank the whole time, and I felt pretty good. I ran the first 5K pretty slow for me, but I knew I could pick up ground the further I went. I ended up running the most consistent race I have ever run, and I finished with an overall pace of 8:55 per mile...for 26.2 miles.
The first half of the race was run with the half marathoners. There were 10,000 runners running Lincoln that day, with 8,000 of them running the half. It was pretty crowded at times especially on the bike path. Once the half marathoners turned off into Memorial Stadium for their finish I had to make sure I was going the right way because there was NOBODY around! Once you headed onto the full marathon course it was sparse.
This was Jess's second half marathon in less than a month. I'm not sure what number it was for Sarah. The two of them ran together and Jess set a new PR...1:59:30! How awesome is that to have only been running since late January and already run a sub 2 hour half in May?! They both rocked it!
The pictures below are blurry, but I'm cheap and I'm not paying $20plus a photo for the real thing. They are a screenshot from my iPad. :)
The best part about this race was finishing in Memorial Stadium where the HUSKERS play! They announced your name as you crossed the finish line and flashed you up on the big screen. Pretty awesome! Jason and the girls were in the stands cheering me on...I just love them and all of the support they give me when I run and train.
This is a breakdown of the race at each checkpoint...couldn't have run a more consistent race.
In the car waiting to go to the start line.
I think I was the only nerd to put my last name on it too!
Jess and Sarah after they finished...they look great!
Before the race
Finisher Medal
Another 26.2 done!
Me and my babies...they are troopers!
