The Background
The 2025 season was going well, with sub-5 hour road marathons and a 3rd place overall finish at the Jackalope Jam 6 Hour. My legs felt strong. When planning the season, I thought Woodlands Marathon might be the race where I could post my best marathon time of the season.
James and Paloma were to see me at mile 10 and the finish.
The Race
For the first few miles, I ran at sub-10 or low 10-minute miles. It felt brisk but not like I was pushing too hard.
For quite a while, I was near the 4:30 pacer group.
I saw my kids around mile 10, near the house where they grew up. That lifted my spirits!
I tried to save something in the tank until half marathon. Then, I increased the pace a slight bit for a mile or so. Then, I fell back to 10:30ish miles for another couple of miles.
At mile 17, I began to feel weak, like I was low on energy. It hit me all of the sudden. Soon, I was forced to a walk. I made it to the mile 18 aid station and fueled up. At either that or the next aid, I grabbed like 5 gels, trying to pull myself out of the spiral.
But it was like a switch had been flipped, and I was now in survival mode. Hopes for my best marathon time of the season vanished. But I had written at the beginning of the season a goal to finish all of my solo road marathons in under 5 hours. I made that my new goal. Reduced to run/walking, I would have to fight.
Towards the end, the 5 hour pacer was behind me. But I knew I had started a few seconds ahead of him, so I needed to watch my watch rather than him. Still, it was helpful to keep the pacer in sight.
I barely made the 5-hour goal in 4:59:16.
When I crossed the finish line, I was beat and sat down in a chair at the medical station, not because I wanted medical aid, but just to sit. A lady told me to drink water, and I did.
Getting up after a minute, I found my kids. I must have looked out of it, and I pulled off to the side to throw up. James said, "That was hardcore, I gotta say."
We went to celebrate at Niko Nikos.
Reflections
At the beginning of the race, I had advised a first-time marathoner not to go out too fast, then I went out too fast. However, I was trying to improve my time, and it is always a fine line on what is too fast.
I should have had gels in my pocket. I might have done better with more fueling earlier.
I was probably due a tougher race after having a 3 go well.
Still, I am proud I fought hard and made the sub-5-hour goal.
Thanks to God, Terri, friends, all my family, the race organization, and the volunteers for the support. Special thanks to James and Paloma for being there to cheer!
