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@janerunswild

Boston, MA Raving since 2015 50 States hopeful/finisher Jane Runs Wild Active 4 years, 4 months ago

About Me

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My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Mesa, AZ Feb 27, 2016 3:31:00
Half Marathon Miami Beach, FL Jan 24, 2016 1:40:00

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (20)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Arlington, VA Oct 22, 2017
Marathon Bath, NY Oct 1, 2017
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Apr 17, 2017
Half Marathon Austin, TX Feb 19, 2017
Marathon Big Bear, CA 2017
Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 20, 2016
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Apr 18, 2016
Marathon Mesa, AZ Feb 27, 2016 3:31:00
Half Marathon Miami Beach, FL Jan 24, 2016 1:40:00
Marathon Arlington, VA Oct 25, 2015
Marathon Salt Lake City, UT Sep 12, 2015 3:33:06
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Mar 9, 2014
Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 11, 2014
Half Marathon Nashville, TN 2013
Marathon Chicago, IL 2013
Marathon Miami, FL 2013
Marathon New Orleans, LA 2012
Half Marathon South Pomfret, VT 2011
Marathon Providence, RI 2011
Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL 2011

My Raves

*I prepared for warm weather as much as I could, but wasn’t expecting low 70 degree desert air to affect me as much as it did towards the end of … MORE

*I prepared for warm weather as much as I could, but wasn’t expecting low 70 degree desert air to affect me as much as it did towards the end of the race! It probably added a few minutes to my time, so this is something to consider if you’re interested in running Phoenix marathon.
*While parts of the route were beautiful and somewhat downhill, particularly through mile 4, around mile 9, and towards the end of the race, the rest of the course was fairly boring and flat, with some uphill stretches mixed in. This is a fairly fast course as the race directors say, but not as easy as other marathon courses such as Chicago, New Orleans, and even Philadelphia (in my opinion). I had anticipated some of the hills and was well-prepared (helps to drive the course before a race if you can!!).
*Lastly, the lines for the port-a-potties at the start were somewhat of a cluster. I would highly recommend getting to the start (via buses that shuttle you from the finish of the race area to the start) as early as possible!
*The water stations were plentiful and full of energetic volunteers. For a course that has limited spectators, this was very welcome! Particularly the station at mile 9- the signage was memorable and hilarious, and the spirit carried me through the next few miles to the half-way point.
*Although I couldn’t really eat after I crossed the finish line, the post-race food and entertainment were great. There were BBQ and French toast stands among other delicious food and drinks. They also handed out nice bags that we were able to fit all of the foods in. I really enjoyed this post-race atmosphere and stayed a little longer than I have at other races.
*Last but not least, the race medal was cool! A reminder that the race organizers do a great job and pay close attention to the little things, which is very important!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
My Report
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

4 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

The race started at 6am for both half and full marathon. When I ran the marathon in 2012, I appreciated the early timing of the race given the heat (it … MORE

The race started at 6am for both half and full marathon. When I ran the marathon in 2012, I appreciated the early timing of the race given the heat (it was 70 degrees at the start that year!). But this year, the course only warmed up slightly after the sun rose at around 7am. Temperatures overall were warmer than home (Boston), so I am not complaining, but 40 degrees and windy feels cold for anyone!
Just after 6, we were off! The course started on the Miami mainland at the stadium where Miami Heat plays. We then crossed over a causeway by Star Island (I didn’t spot any celebs at this early hour), then up Miami beach along ocean drive, and crossed back to the mainland close to where we started. It was a very scenic course to say the least!
This is the first time I followed a race strategy for a half. I typically treat halfs as training runs for a full marathon and don’t think much about the race itself, which is fine in some cases. But it was fun planning a race strategy with my coaches for the Miami half. I know that having this plan significantly helped me run my PR (1:40 finish time). I was very happy to run a negative split, running the first 10k @7:49 minute miles, finishing the race @7:42 minute miles.

I followed the plan as closely as possible, which included:

Maintaining an average planned goal of roughly 7:45/mile pace, so starting out closer to 7:50-8:00/mile (even though this will feel slow, especially on flat ground).
Maintain that pace for the first two miles before pushing closer to 7:45/mile through at least Mile 7.
After Mile 7, I could gradually start to speed up, pushing closer to 7:30/mile and, finally, for the last 5K or so, going for it and pushing with whatever I had left.
Miami half was a flat course with the exception of three “inclines” (bridges), so I was able to quickly lock into a solid pace and maintain it for most of the course. I kept reminding myself to not to start out too quickly! I need to continue to remind myself this at Phoenix Marathon.
My pre-race meal included: most of a bagel with PB& banana, and I had one GU during the race around mile 7. I drank water at all stations except for mile 4 where I grabbed Gatorade accidently. If I am eating GUs along the course, I typically only stick to water. Usually I’d have two GUs total, but did not feel like I needed a second one during this race.

I listened to a variety of top 40 and 80s hits which kept me going, but turned off the tunes close to the finish line to hear the announcer, etc. I enjoyed finishing without music and have to remind myself to turn off the tunes at the next race!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4
My Media

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Big Cottonwood is known as a fast race, amenable to PRs. REVEL runs an organized race- the top/start had plenty of porta potties, and our bags at bib pickup included … MORE

Big Cottonwood is known as a fast race, amenable to PRs. REVEL runs an organized race- the top/start had plenty of porta potties, and our bags at bib pickup included mylar blankets and gloves, which were perfect for early mornings on the top of a mountain. Coming from sea-level, I could feel the effects of being almost 10k feet high, but the downhill nature of the course outweighed some of the effects.

True to the course description, the first 19 miles of the race were basically a steady downhill (with an exception of a steep hill at mile 4, which was at an elevation of roughly 8500 feet high- this was tough on the lungs to say the least). I maintained a 3:25-3:30 pace for this portion, and was determined to stay well ahead of the 3:35 pacer. A 3 hour 35 minute (or less) marathon finish was the time I needed to qualify for Boston.

After the half-way point, I desperately wished that I had trained on downhill courses more frequently to prepare for this terrain. But despite the deep fatigue my legs were feeling from all of the pounding, I felt great and ran consistent 7:30-7:45 minute miles. At mile 19, my pace slowed up as the course became hilly. Hills at 5500 feet elevation were no joke. At one point I had to stop and stretch, and also just catch my breath. It was a very interesting feeling, being out of breath at this point even in the flat sections. I knew that I was far from home.

At mile 23, I noticed the 3:35 pacer slowly creeping up to me and at that moment felt very emotional and overwhelmed. The pacer caught up to me at 24, and asked me how I was doing. I was honest and told her that I was very disappointed to see her. She said that she was running a minute or so ahead of a 3:35, that the rest of the race was downhill, and that she knew I had it in me to push myself. I know she had no idea, but her motivational lines helped me push through. At that point, I was determined to reach my goal and pushed as.hard.as.I.possibly.could. I crossed the line @3:33.06.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

5 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

I ran the Chicago marathon in October 2013. It was a race to remember for many reasons, but most memorable was the fact that I ran with my sister and … MORE

I ran the Chicago marathon in October 2013. It was a race to remember for many reasons, but most memorable was the fact that I ran with my sister and brother (my cousin came too but sadly couldn’t run due to an injury). My parents also came to watch the race, and we had a fantastic time together in the Windy City. There are so many things to say about the race, one of the largest races in the country, but I will narrow it down to two quick lists of what did and didn’t work. List is in my race racap in my blog.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5
My Media

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