3:06:27 Marathon- Trained Hard, But Not my Day- The OC Marathon

Leading up to the OC marathon I did everything "perfectly". I trained hard. I did speed work about twice a week, and did all my long runs on hills. My legs were ready.  But come race day, my stomach was not having it. From mile 8 on I felt like throwing up. And I actually did throw up during the race. At mile 10 and at mile 19. Because my stomach was so upset I didn't eat our drink anything from mile 8 on. And as distance runners, we all know that isn't good. By not eating and drinking you are not giving your body the energy it needs. But it was a choice I made because I knew if I continued to eat or drink I would of thrown up more. You can do everything "perfectly" leading up to any race, but some days are just not your days. Some people have asked me why I was throwing up. And honestly I don't know why. It could of been that fact that I ate too much too close to the race? Or because I had peanut butter when I normally don't. (Yes I know that was a mistake.) 

Looking back on the race I know I made some mistakes. But hey, that's what racing is all about. Each time I race I learn something for the next time. As long as each time your improving, then your doing something right. I ended up getting 5th place female, with a time of 3:06:27.

Fun Fact: The ran the race in the Brooks Launch 2 and the CEP calf sleeves. 

This was my first time running the OC marathon. It was a beautiful course. The first half we ran through multi-million dollar homes. Where people were sitting on their front porches cheering us on. The whole time I kept thinking.. "Man they have the life." The second part of the race was throw industrial buildings, which was super boring. The last two miles were on the bike trail. And before I knew it I was at the finish. To me the finish came up pretty quick. The longest part of the race was mile 17-24, which was through the industrial part. I would definetly sign up for the OC marathon again. I felt it was very well organized and had a beautiful course. 

I was very fortune to have my husband, my parents, and a few of my closest friends there to cheer me on and to be there at the finish. I feel very blessed.