State 2: California - Operation Jack Marathon

State number 2. 18 days after my first ever marathon!

I have a routine when I run a marathon. Or when I go out for a long run. I like my routine - I am comfortable with my routine and knowing it will bring me success. I didn't stick to a single thing with my routine for this marathon. And it worked out just fine - it taught me I don't necessarily need to stick to my routine. I also realize that by traveling to 50 states from Hawaii to run marathons it is unrealistic to rely on routine. So thank you Operation Jack for making me realize this. 

So why the lack of routine you may be wondering? Well hubby and I decided to take a road trip through California for the holidays! We started up north and ended in San Diego. We ran the Operation Jack Marathon about half way in between - the day after Christmas! 

The day before the marathon we spent driving from Half Moon Bay to LA area - we took the 1 which took us much longer then I originally thought! Our food for the day was not consistent, but at least we had a consistent water/Gatorade intake! The days leading up to the marathon? Completely off our normal diet and lots of brewery stops! Hey - I wasn't missing any of what we wanted to do in California! Plus, my hubby is a bit of a beer snob - so of course we had to hit up some brewery for tours and try new beers. 

All of this led us to the morning after Christmas at the Operation Jack marathon.  I woke up not wanting to run a mile yet alone 26.2 of them that morning. I watched my husband crawl out of bed and begin to get ready to leave. I knew I needed to do the same. He was very excited because this was going to be his first marathon. I wasn't at the time feeling the same level of excitement. However, I dragged myself out of bed and began to get ready. We stopped at a local grocery store to get some bread and peanut butter for breakfast.

Did I mention that I was cold too? Haha! I was definitely not waking up to a Hawaii morning! We made it down to the parking lot at Dockweiler state beach park. We looked at the board to see what number we were assigned. I was bib # 106. We then stood in line to get our bib and t-shirt. I tried not to be a wuss and bounce around too much from the chilly temperature - but I failed. While waiting in line a friend I had met at the Honolulu Marathon and I knew was running Operation Jack found me. We chatted for a couple minutes and then I went and sat back in the car to warm up some! I know, I know, I'm a wuss!

As the start time was approaching I took off my jacket and got out of the car to stretch. Lucky for me it was starting to warm up (though not a crazy amount). I am learning that ideal temperature for marathons are such a temperamental thing! We all gathered around the start line, listened to the route and off we went! At .2 miles in we saw this guy.....

This guy was amazing. He ran the whole race (ahead of me) and was at numerous spots a long the course cheering all the runners on! You rock are we there yet guy! (His sign said more then that too!)

The course was beautiful along the beach. It followed a bike path where bikes were actively going the entire race.For someone into biking also, like me, this was actually neat. Most of the bikes that passed were really nice bikes and gave me something to gawk at. The weather was beautiful and I was doing well on keeping pace. My only goal at this point in time was to beat my Honolulu time. My secret goal was to get under 5:30. 

At about mile 5 I began running right on pace with another gentleman. He and I ran the remainder of his race together (He was doing the half) and we chatted the entire time. This was nice as it kept me busy and not in my own head the entire time. He was a really nice guy and I found out he will be out in Hawaii running the half marathon I'm signed up for in April. Maybe we will run into each other again! 

My running partner and I for about 8 miles.

The weather was warm but not too warm the entire time. This was amazing and perfect for me. All around - I was feeling good this race significantly longer then I did in Honolulu! The only major issue I ran into was I had forgotten to put deodorant on the morning of the marathon and I began chaffing under my right arm beginning at mile 6 and struggled with it the entire time. 20 more miles of chaffing was certainly no fun. At one point in the race (around mile 20-21) I considered stopping one of the many bikers going by and asking them to turn around and look for guy with bib #107 at the finish line and ask him to have athletic tape for me as I ran by for the final loop before finishing. But I didn't. But honestly I STRONGLY considered it. Here I am about a week out now and it is still bad and tender. I will never forget deodorant again in my life. 

I struggled less and less during Operation Jack with my butt muscles cramping. However that being said it still happened, but I got better at keeping it at bay and also getting it to go away. I didn't use the nuun liquid I usually use or train with but instead drank what they provided. Which I believe was something made by GU. At each aid station except the first (I always skip the first) I would take that and a water. This really seemed to help. 

I began to struggle around mile 23. But I finished it! And most importantly I beat both goals (barely!).... I beat Honolulu and I got in under 5:30

Official time for Operation Jack...... 5:29:52

Just squeaked in under 5:30!



Hubby running his first marathon!

 Rocked it!

Looking forward to the next one..... on my 25th birthday! Louisiana here I come!

Honolulu Marathon

After getting my medal and finishers shirt!

Honolulu Marathon officially made me a marathoner! We all have to start somewhere - So I started with a marathon on my home turf. I signed up for Honolulu, unfortunately after the awesome Kama'aina $1.00 per mile deal. Which, I won't miss for the following years for myself and my husband. Way cheaper - I mean who can beat $26.2 for a marathon entry fee?

Anyways!

Let's start with the expo. I have to admit I was a bit disappointment with the expo. Actually, more then a bit. For such a large marathon - I would imagine the expo to be bigger. Also I understand that a lot of Japanese run this marathon - but that doesn't mean the whole expo has to be Japanese focused. (I am exaggerating a bit, I get that). But I honestly felt like very little of it was focused toward the runner in general. But instead it was focused toward the Japanese runner. That being said the organization to pick up your bib at the expo was very well done - and I do appreciate that.

On the day of the race - parking is terrible for those driving in. Lucky for me my husband dropped me off near the start and he went on the hunt for parking. The shuttle the Honolulu marathon puts on though is brilliant. They will take you from the Honolulu Zoo to the start area, which is great if you can find parking down there as that is near where the finish is! I thankfully though, didn't have to utilize the shuttle this year because of my awesome hubby!

I ran into a fellow yelper as I was waiting for the start (Pictured above), and he introduced me to some marathon maniacs who he was friends with. It was nice meeting fellow marathon enthusiasts! As the start time neared the excitement was clearly in the air! One of the best things about this marathon was the fireworks at the beginning. It is so awesome to have that be your beginning to the incredible journey any marathon brings - and each one I'm certain brings it's own unique journey. It was also quite nifty to be running with fireworks going off in the background.

The course itself was mostly flat with the exception of Diamond Head. Twice. First go around not so bad. Second go around - cruel and unusual punishment so close to the end of the 26.2 mile journey!

The journey of my first marathon was certainly a good one. I had given myself an original time goal of finishing between 5:00 and 5:30. I secretly was hoping to finish under 5:00, but I was giving myself a "cushion" time goal. The first half of the marathon was cake! I was right on track to finish within my time goal. I felt AWESOME! But I was aware of what I needed to do to ensure I could finish strong. I didn't start out strong (Held around an 11:00 min per mile pace) all the way through mile 12 (Dropped a bit on the first go around with Diamond head). I took in water and gels according to planned. I was doing awesome. I felt excited, motivated, happy, everything all wrapped into one as I heard people cheering along the course. It is so cool to see random people cheering everyone - even people they don't know!

After the half way mark I did start slowing. But I knew I was still going strong! And then mile 18 hit. I don't feel like I hit a wall - I was doing good everywhere except my butt muscles and my feet. All the sudden they hurt. A LOT! I slowed, walked for a minute and then stretched. Stretching helped. But not a permanent type of help. I find myself struggling with my butt and feet (though more butt) hurting from mile 18 until the finish. This is where my time started falling. As the last couple miles approached I began to realize I wouldn't hit my goal time. Then I just started focusing on staying under 6 hours. I finished my mile 26 and of course the last .2 as strongly as I felt I could with a pace of 13:30 for mile 26. The last .2 miles it hit me - I had done it! So in true Jessica fashion  I started tearing up - which makes it challenging to run. After crossing through the finish line, receiving a shell lei, and then making my way out the finishers area I was greeted by my amazing husband and my boss! They were both so excited for me and endured my 26.2 miles worth of stink to steal a hug!

I didn't hit my goal time - I ended up finishing in 5:47:06. I thought I'd be a bit sad because I KNOW I can do better then that. But I wasn't. I FINISHED! I am officially a marathoner - and that is what matters. Now I have a time to beat (and I will)! I am proud of my time and myself!

After finishing I did find getting to the finishers tent to pick up my shirt and medal a bit confusing - but that could simply have been the fact that I was also searching for my husband and not paying attention to the signs. Though, even when we met up the signs didn't do a lot of good. When I did find the tent receiving my finishers shirt and medal was one of the best feelings. It was like another little reminder that I had done it! I wore my medal the rest of the day (Seriously)! Malasadas at the end of the marathon - perfect! I've never had a malasada taste so good!

Biggest shout out and the best thing about this marathon (Any, really) is the volunteers! Everyone was well organized and aid stations were constantly working well so that they always had Gatorade and water for all the participants. They were cheering everyone on, high-fiving and saying encouraging words. Without the volunteers - none of this is possible. I tried to thank as many of them as I could throughout the race.

I thought the little things they did during the course made a big difference. Of course like mentioned, aid stations with water and Gatorade were well organized and marked and always ready for the next runner to come in. The gel packs at certain aid stations is a great addition. Although I didn't personally use them as I carried with me what I needed - I know numerous people did and appreciated it! The biggest little thing that made a big difference: Sponges! I had never been so relieved to see a sponge in my life - and multiple times throughout the race - I was in heaven! These ice cold sponges were amazing to rub all over your arms, legs, face, squeeze on top of your head, stick down your shirt, whatever - just to keep you cool. It was certainly a hot and humid day for the race! The occasional misting was also awesome, but not as heavenly as those sponges!

All in all - this is a good marathon. My first of many and I loved every minute of it (except the last 8 or so miles, those were mind over matter moments)! I've learned a marathon is not just endurance it involves having incredible strength to push through those tough times and miles. I will always strive to be a long distance runner. I'm sure I'll have numerous more Honolulu marathons under my belt before I know it.

When I got home from the Honolulu Marathon I was greeted by a gift on my porch (Pic on left)! My awesome co-workers and friends had put together goodies (Wine, flowers, Epsom salt, other salt, peppermint soap) and left it there for me to find when I got home. Most everyone had signed the card and it was so awesome! They are all the best - and I appreciated this so much! It meant so much to me!

I had such great support for this marathon in general! I know it isn't just this marathon - but seeing all the support I had was simply amazing. One of my best friends, Lauren, started out the day before the marathon posting on Facebook that she wished she could be there for my first marathon (She is in CO). Then that evening another friend and co-worker (Shannon) sent out best wishes to me also. Then when I got on Facebook after the marathon I was overwhelmed by the amount of support that was there before, during and after the race. Shannon posted an update to my wall at the half-way mark - She was keeping everyone updated me on! My aunt then joined in and posted a 30k update! After I had completed it - My boss posted the first picture of me with my finishers medal and shirt! I had so many congratulations and other people posting supportive things on my wall it was wonderful! Friends and family called me and texted me shortly after to congratulate me also! My mom even tried calling while I was still running at the end because she was so excited/happy for me (Love you, mom!) THANK YOU EVERYONE - for all your support! It meant so much to me, I can't even put it into words. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Watch out Operation Jack Marathon (2.5 weeks away) - I'm coming for a PR!

 One down - 49 to go! (At least!)



Finishers Medal!