Whiskey Row Marathon Recap

 In May 2014, I ran the wonderful Whiskey Row Marathon. I know it's been a while since I've run it, so I will try my best to recall memories from the race. I do have photos, so that always helps me remember!

I had planned to run the half with my sister. I bought her a race entry (as well as one for myself) for her 32nd birthday. A few months later, she decided it was too much and decided to drop out. I was pretty bummed, but decided to make the best of it and upgrade to the marathon.

Chance and I arrived at the Hotel St. Michael in Prescott on Friday night after a long drive up from Tucson. There had been an accident just North of Phoenix and it stopped traffic for two hours on the highway. I was planning to card load in Prescott for dinner and now that was out of the question since we ended up arriving around 10pm. I grabbed some food at the grocery store and went straight to bed.

The alarm went off around 5AM but I was in no hurry because the hotel was literally a few steps away from the start line. I didn't know this when I booked the rooms. Chance and I have stayed at this hotel at least 2 times in the past. When we were both in school for archaeology, our field school surveyed in the wilderness surrounding Prescott and we would come into town for supplies once in awhile. They always chose this hotel. And since I already knew about it, I went ahead and booked it. Glad the start line was right next to it! :)

There were 2 start times. If I remember correctly, one was at 6AM and the other was at 7AM. And this is becuase the race promptly cuts off at 1pm. And I mean PROMPTLY. One of my friends finished after 1pm, and they literally left her medal in a pile on the ground where the finishline used to be. I'm not sure why they have to end so abruptly. Maybe the city is cutting them off early, but it sure is annoying. I was nervous about not being able to finish in the alotted time (there is a TON of elevation change in this race) and I was considering the early start time. But, since we got in late the night before, I just decided to sleep an extra hour and start at 7AM.

The 7AM Whiskey Row Marathon start line.

Official RNRAZ Photos!

These are way overdue! 

I ran RNRAZ back in January and I never found a chance to post them until now!

I loved running in my new green Sparkle Skirt! :)

Isn't it cute?

                              

                              

                               

                               

     

I had a blast running my first marathon! 

My overall time was 5:13.

I was shooting for 5 hours and I was trying so hard to stay in front of the 5 hour pace group (you can see me in front of them in the 2nd photo. They are holding the balloons.)

I lost them around mile 14. I was so defeated! 

I would love to run this race again just to beat my time (and beat the 5 hour pace group!!!). 

But the course is nothing spectacular. 

Very flat. No scenic views. And it got a little hot near the end (they used hoses to spray us down at mile 23). 

At least it's not freezing! ;) That's a plus!

Sorry this wasn't the most extensive recap. Sometimes I just run and and don't think to take photos. Glad they got a lot of photos of me. It helps if you are wearing a skirt. ;)

Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Training Schedule

This is the training plan I used for RNRAZ this last January.

Please note that it is a beginner training plan; it's for those who are new to the marathon (which I was). 

I made Sundays my long run days so that I could run with TTR, so Mondays ended up being my rest day. 

Always try to make a training plan fit your schedule. If a plan doesn't work with your schedule, then change it. Otherwise, you won't stick to it. 

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest	3 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	3 mi	4 mi
2	Rest	3 mi	Rest	3 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	5 mi
3	Rest	3 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	6 mi
4	Rest	3 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	4 mi
5	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	6 mi
6	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	8 mi
7	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	10 mi
8	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	8 mi
9	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT	Rest	12 mi
10	Rest	4 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	10 mi
11	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	14 mi
12	Rest	5 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	10 mi
13	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	16 mi
14	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	12 mi
15	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	Rest	18 mi
16	Rest	5 mi	Rest	6 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	12 mi
17	Rest	4 mi	CT	6 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	20 mi
18	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	12 mi
19	Rest	3 mi	20 minutes	3 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	8 mi
20	Rest	2 mi	20 minutes	Rest	20 minutes	Rest	Race Day!

CT stands for Cross Training. On these days, I tried different activities like swimming, biking, weights, hiking, ultimate frisbee, etc. Try to switch it up a bit. Make it fun. :)

Training Tip: Once you pick your final training schedule, write it down in your planner (if you have one) or calendar. Write every single workout down! That way, you'll see it daily and be more likely to do it. 

7 Weeks Until RNRAZ

It's getting closer! My very first marathon!

 

When I first started really running back in 2010, I thought my marathon would have come a lot sooner than 2013. There were numerous occasions when I posted about running and training for one. But the end result was always the same. 

 

I chickened out!

 

I'm not afraid to admit it becuase it's true. I'm freaking terrified of running a marathon.

 

I recently ran another 16 miles for training and I was in so much pain! And it was only 16 miles!!! I can't imagine what I will be feeling after 26.2. I hope there are ice baths like this at the end:

 

No, but really, can there be?

 

But I look back at my training and I know that I got this.

I can do it. It may hurt a lot. But I can definitely do it.

 

With every week that passes, I get more excited!
And a little freaked out, but mostly excited.

 

I've been following a beginner marathon training program that I found somewhere online.
Kinda wished I went with something more legit (I can't even remember the website), but I was super excited to start training so I printed it out and got started. It's been working well so far!

 

My goal for this race is to finish it.

That's it.

 

I'm not trying to figure out a time I want to beat because I have no idea when I'll finish.

Making a PR is marathon #1.

Beating a PR is marathon #2 and everything else after that.

 

Any suggestions to the weeks leading up to the race will be super helpful!
I have been reading a lot about it, but experience from my fellow bloggers is so much better. :)

 

Almost there! Keep sending me good training thoughts!!!

 

 

Also, I want to wish my big sister a Happy Birthday!!! Love you JoAnn!

 

Three Things Thursday

1. Back to marathon training! After the Tinfoilman Triathlon on Sunday, I'm very excited to get back to just running. I loved training for a triathlon, but it's exhausting training for 3 different sports throughout the week. It was a fantastic challenge and I can't wait to do it again. But I'm glad to get back to my roots and just run. Only 4 months until my first marathon! :) :) :)

 

 

2. Ragnar Relay Las Vegas.  Less than a month away. But...I'm having second thoughts. O__O I didn't think I would! I joined a team without knowing anyone on it. It's definitely a great idea if you want to meet fellow runners! However, these folks are not really into running. Or so it seems. They seem to like the idea of running and all the gear that comes along with it. I have tried inviting them to multiple TTR events, but no interest. I feel as if I don't fit with the group. And to feel that way AND to have to spend a lot of money on a Las Vegas hotel, it just may not be worth it. I am still IN. I haven't made a decision to drop out, I'm still thinking about it. I don't want to upset anyone, so if it happens, it better happen quick. Have you ever dropped out of a relay team/running group before and did you feel guilty??

 

 

3. Parent Teacher Conferences. Not my favorite way to spend my evenings. But that's how I've been spending them this past week. "Hanging out" with my students and their parents. Once in a while, I even get blamed for their kids not getting straight A's. Somehow, it's our fault as teachers. Yes. It happens more often than you'd think. But most of the conferences were positive. It's just the being at school for 10 hours each day really starts to get to you. :/ 

 

Hope you're having a great week Runnerds!

RNRAZ Training Weeks 1 & 2

I'm officially signed up for the Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon!

I've been putting off a marathon for awhile now. It's all nerves.

It's hilarious how I have no trepidations with the idea of running from Sabino Canyon to the top of Mt. Bigelow and back (about 30 miles). But as soon as I think of running a marathon, I freak out.

It could be an audience thing. Knowing that people are watching me, it can be a little intimidating. But then again, I chose to run RNRAZ instead of the Tucson Marathon because I know I could use the extra support from the crowd. Spectators on the Tucson Marathon route are scarce. It's a beautiful course (I ran the last three miles last year helping to pace my friend Brittany). However, it's not a good first race if you're nervous...like me.

As far as I know, no one ever said the first few weeks of marathon training will make you or break you (please correct me if I'm wrong). My first 2 weeks have not been promising, but they were alright. Good enough for me....for now.

Week 1

Monday
Rest

Tuesday
3.46 miles. 
This run I wasn't feeling so well and the feeling lasted for days. You know that feeling you get after you eat a big meal and then go running? Well, that was it, except I didn't eat a big meal beforehand and the sick feeling lasted way too long...

Wednesday
Wednesdays are supposed to be Cross Training days but with that feeling still lingering, I just couldn't do it.

Thursday
Was supposed to do 3 miles, but again, that feeling put a stop to it.

Friday
Rest

Saturday
Was supposed to do a 4 miler here, but I was planning on running Mt. Wrightson the next day so I put it off.

Sunday
The plan was for a 3 mile EZ. I was just going to combine Saturday's run and Sundays run together on the TTR run. However, a pounding headache and lack of sleep from the night before put a halt on a long run. :/
I ended up running 4.82 miles. 

Week 2

Monday
Rest

Tuesday
Was supposed to be a 3 mile day, but forgot about it. No worries, I just worked out Wednesday. :)

Wednesday
Was supposed to be a rest day, but did a triathlon training block instead, to make up for Tuesday.
Total: 8.07 miles.
Bike: 6 miles  Run: 2 miles

Thursday
3.26 miles. 

Friday
I had the option of either CT (Cross Training) or Rest. I chose the latter. :)

Saturday
I was scheduled for a 5 miler, but I wanted to try running with TTR again so I skipped it.

Sunday
Success!
Finally got to run with TTR!
9.74 miles. 
It was such a beautiful morning to go for a run. Especially in Sabino Canyon on the Phoneline Trail. Full recap soon.

The 1st Annual Mt. Lemmon Marathon VOLUNTEER Report

So, I didn't run this one because honestly...it was intimidating. Uphill for 26.2 miles? I don't think so. Not this year, anyways. Maybe someday I'll have the balls to run this race. The runners who did have the balls, I applaud you! You all did great! I'm super impressed and very jealous.

My Sunday begun at 2:30am, when I woke up. I then drove over to the Northeast side to help load marathoners into buses at 3:30am. I love the traffic at this hour! I'll drive in that any day. I met my friend Kevin (who volunteered with me) to help with the buses. It all went pretty well, everyone was really friendly at this time of the morning (even the bus drivers, they were very helpful and talkative!). I even met another blogger! Renee at Pinkcorker's Desert Trail Running Blog was getting on to the bus when I reconzied her! I asked for a photo (of course, we bloggers need that stuff) and she thought it was really funny and cute. I hope I didn't seem too awkward. She was really nice (Thanks Renee!) I just thought it was cool to meet another blogger.

So, if you want to feel like a celebrity, you should meet me at a race! :p

Kevin and I got everyone on the buses and hopped on the last one (just us, the bus driver and a really late runner) to head up the mountain. It was still so dark outside and I felt like I had been up all night (even though I got 7 hours of sleep!).

We got to the base of the mountain after waiting in a loooong line....

so we got off the bus and half ran to the start (it helped that we were talking about the Ragnar Relay to get us pumped...).

I didn't get any good photos of the start because we were running around so much and sometimes I forgot I had a camera, there was just so much going on. I wish I did get some photos, I loved the buzzing activity of the start line. Next year, for sure :)

After we got in the race directors wifes car (I know, wth? I'm pretty sure she doesn't know us...) we headed up to the mountain. Our first task was to stop at all of the water stations/aid stations and make sure they had everything they needed. 

We were held up at Windy Point because the half marathon started, so I got  few good photos. 

Looking South, towards Tucson

Windy Point

This is where we saw the first and second runners for the first time. 

Trying to see the runners

Can you see him?

As soon as the line of cars began to move, we hopped back in the car to find that it wouldn't start. Apparently, I left the door open/Kevin left the lights on in our excitement.OOPS. Thankfully, people are nice and they gave our *borrowed* car a jump.

We drove to the next aid station/water station. We handed out some trash boxes and played some Bop It with the nurses.

 

The 1st runner


The 2nd runner, about 5 minutes behind

The next water station was a high school group. They probably got the absolute worst spot...it was freezing. We pretty much left right away. It was just too cold! Sorry high school kids!

This is the 4th water station we stopped at. These BTE gals were pretty awesome. They handed me pamphlets about their half marathons and tried to get me to do a few. They even do training programs. I'm looking into it!

We were getting closer to the end with the last water stop before the very very very big hill up to Ski Valley. 

Making sure no one misses the dreaded hill

We finally arrived at the finish line and gave the race directors wife her car keys back. Oddly, she didn't look surprised when we handed them to her. She's a brave woman for letting complete strangers drive her car. We did bring it back in one piece though. Go us.

We got to meet Bart Yasso! Check out this months Runners World for more info on him. Or go HERE.

The 1st runner finishing!

1st and 3rd place

Bart interviewing the winner

The 1st female finisher of the marathon!

Kevin and his friend

After watching about 30 more people finish, I got on one of the last buses and went down the mountain. I had a great time volunteering at this race! There was a lot of excitement and energy for it being the first one. I hope there is more to come. I know Lazlo, the race director, wants it to become HUGE. So, sign up for this race next year and make his dream come true. :)

I plan on either volunteering or running it next year. I have to be involved somehow! It was so exciting to watch. And I'm really proud of all the runners who attempted this race, and finished! Running uphill for 26.2 miles (even 13.1 miles) is a difficult feat and I'm impressed! Great job!!

This week I'm upping my mileage to start my "official" training for the Ragnar Relay! WOO-HOO!

Happy Monday!