2012 Colfax Marathon {Part 2}

{It's been two weeks since the marathon and it's been a glorious two weeks of no running but I think it's time to get back on the fitness train, especially with swim suit season in full swing.}

So, at 6am sharp I took off on my first marathon.

The full marathon, the marathon relay and the half marathon all started at the same point at the City Park in Denver. About a mile into the race the half marathoners split off in another direction. I was a little paranoid that I was going to go the wrong way because it wasn't marked as well as I've seen at other races. Then there was the bad Pearl Jam cover band....

Soon after the split we ran by the Colorado State Capitol.

And headed down Colfax Ave. towards the mountains.

One thing about this race that I really liked was the variety of scenery. There weren't a lot of spectators but the various aspects of the course kept things interesting. We even ran through a Fire Station. I thought of Chic Runner and B as we ran by. 

After the fire station we ran along the water.

And by what I think is Six Flags...or at least it used to be. 

I was pretty worried about the change in elevation and getting dehydrated so I made sure I took some water and walked through every water station. I was glad I brought my own water and cytomax because it didn't seem like the water stations were every other mile like they were advertised to be. All of the water consumption lead to multiple bathroom stops but they were luckily all short stops!

One of the coolest parts of the race was running through Mile High Stadium. 

I'm hypoglycemic and I have a history of getting low blood sugar, so I made sure that I figured out what fuel worked for me in training. Every 3 miles or so I tried to have some shot blocks or a Hammer Gel. I even brought a Clif Kids Z-bar because I wanted some "real food," just in case. 

Soon after leaving the stadium I ran into Brandon and my Mother-in-law around mile 7. 

I was glad I got to see them a couple times on the course because other than the marathon relay exchanges there were few spectators on the course compared to some big races I've done. After leaving my cheering squad the course went around a lake. 

The cool temps, the lack of humidity and the snow capped mountains in the background made for a great race morning. The elevation didn't seem to bother me at all. After circling the lake we ran back by Brandon and my Mother-in-law around mile 10. They ran beside me for a couple blocks and then were off to find breakfast. I kinda wanted to just go eat breakfast but I wasn't even half way there yet.

The race route was technically an out and back so as I was still heading "out" when the half marathoners were coming back in. I always remember thinking how miserable marathoners look when I run half marathons. Now I was one of those miserable marathoners. 

From miles 10-19 we ran mainly through the Lakewood community. Their support was so great. The cute neighborhood kids wrote on the streets with sidewalk chalk wishing us good luck and handing out orange slices. 

I was able to see my cheering squad again around mile 19, which is just what I needed. It started to warm up and needed some encouragement. 

I never hit the "wall" but my pace definitely slowed after the downhill portion around mile 19 and 20. My sister was going to call me around mile 20 but never did. I'll never forgive her {I'm kidding, I just like giving her a hard time about it.} 

Honestly, the last 6.2 miles were kinda a blur...maybe because I just wanted to finish. Also, since we were basically running the same way back I think I blocked it out. The worst part was seeing people out eating brunch at these little cute restaurants on 17th street. What I would have given for a mimosa...This is the portion of the race when everything started to hurt.

I knew that once I got back into the park I was getting close. Then I heard someone say, it's just around the corner. So, naturally I tried to pick up my pace even though my hips and knees were killing me. Then I saw it. Or at least I thought I saw the finish. Nope. It was the 10 miler finish line from the day before. Fail. 

When the finish line did come into focus I was so excited that I broke into a full on "sprint." Really it was probably a normal pace run because I had been going so slow but it felt like a sprint. Brandon missed my sprint to the finish because obviously I was moving so quickly.

When I crossed the finish line and felt like I was going to die. 

After getting my medal and some food I walked around trying to find the medical tent for some ice. Naturally, it was right by the finish but I was too disoriented to realize it when I was in the finishers shoot. I went ahead and got the free beer and bbq sandwich that was part of my entry. Needless to say, beer and bbq seems like a good idea post race but in reality it isn't. I thought I was going to puke after one bite/drink. So, Brandon benefited from my free beer and sandwich. 

My goal was to finish and that's what I did. My official time was 5:04:33. Looks like a ran a little farther than the 26.2....

It all seems like a blur.

I don't want to say I'll never do one again but I think I got my fix for a while. 

xoxo

Kelly

All photos were either taken by my Mother-in-law, my iPhone or "borrowed" from the official race photos.