So I just completed two half marathons in October and November. Why not combine them and go all the way?
After training for the Big Kahuna Half Ironman, a few of my teammates from Team in Training decided to continue training for the California International Marathon in Sacramento, CA. Somehow they talked me into it too.
I looked up “5 week marathon training program” on Google. No results.
So I just planned on running lightly a few times during the week and doing longer 18-, 20- and 22-mile runs on the weekends. Though I slacked off on the 22-miler, I felt healthy and confident going into race day. I put my ego aside and decided if I had to walk, that was fine. I really had no expectations at all.
At 6am on December 6, 2009, it was 29 degrees. 6,000 people boarded school buses and unboarded 45 minutes later at Folsom Lake. Most were wearing trash bags to cut the wind, gloves bought from Goodwill and layers upon layers of clothing that they would shed along the 26.2 mile path back to the capital.
To my surprise, I was able to run almost the whole marathon and keep my half marathon pace! I finished in 4:43:53. (I think it had something to do with a rumor that the Governator was giving high fives at the finish).
When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t get a high five from Arnold, but I did get a really cool metallic cape. Is that thing supposed to be for tanning or just looking like a superhero? Special love to Ali and Ali for hopping the fence and hugging me at the finish line. And for CIM refueling me with pancakes and vegetable soup.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | California International Marathon, CIM, marathon, team in training
