Hike2run - the 35,000 runners were so spread out that you couldn't even tell there were that many.  The corrals left every 1-2 minutes so we weren't packed in like it's been in some 5K's that I've done.  It was a really well organized race.

Jasmine - I always have a hard time enjoying my surroundings when I run, but I made myself look around and take it all in until I started having to push myself mentally.  It was exciting.  Not very many bands on our course, but we really didn't need them. I have a friend at work who did the San Jose Rock & Roll HM and she said it was very boring.

Torunagn - I actually had bought mylar emergency blankets to wrap up in, but didn't use them because it didn't seem that cold until I stood around for a while.  I had heard about having a throw away jacket, so I went to Target and purchased a cheap hoodie.  I figured that I might as well donate something decent and it only cost $10 on sale.  Under that I had my sleeveless shirt and Moen running sleeves on my arms that I could strip off if I got too hot.  I also had cheap gloves from Target that had open fingers with a mitten top that folded over the top.  I put hand warmers under them.  On my legs I had my running tights (actually the coldest part of my body at the start).  By Mile 5 I was down to my regular running wear. It was probably 10 degrees colder and rainy the week before.  We hit lots of rain driving back to San Diego, but nothing during the race.  I don't know if it could have been any more perfect running weather.

So, I finished a 25k trail race which is about 15.5 miles, in the Phoenix area, Saturday, Dec. 11th.

The day was absolutely perfect for running.  The race event included a 5k, 10 mile, 25k, and a 50k!!

I drove down to Phoenix on Friday.  On Saturday morning, the temps hovered around 45 degrees with predicted 75+ degrees later in the day, hazy though but no breeze.

I arrived at the starting station around 7:15 am to get my packet. My race started at 8 am.

The course was challenging in that there were more hills than I thought but I made most of them without stopping on the first loop.

It was all trail, very rocky especially on the steep hills,  dirt/sand/pebbles, desert vegetation, etc.  The views from the ridge were  breathtaking!

I took a one minute walk break about every 3 miles and hydrated with Powerade drinks thoughout the whole race; there were REMOTE water stations which you had to get yourself ........ no volunteers to hand them out!  I only had a cup of water around 12 mile marker.

For most of the course, after 8 miles, I seemed to be by myself as I begin to pass other runners who started ahead of me ........... It is easy to get lost on trails even with all the "markers" which can only be a colored tape tied to a bush/rock, etc.  It's frustrating when you have to turn around because you went the wrong way.  So I had to make sure that I have a runner ahead of me in sight at all times ........... which also challenged me to catch up to him or her.  

I was amazed and invigorated at how well I was doing especially after 10 miles ........ 'only' 5 more to go!!  I felt great, rested, and my leg muscles were loving the challenge of maneuvering over different terrain, hills, and 'climbing' over rocks.  I carried on a self-dialogue to encourage myself and to give myself pep talks .......... "I can't believe I am doing this" "I can't believe my legs aren't tired .... yet"  "You are more than halfway" "You are doing great!" etc....

The second loop had a LONG, STEADY, and ROCKY incline, about the 13 mile marker, which forced most of us to walk rather than run.
I saw runners ahead of me,  walking  ........ and running now and then .......... so I didn't feel  so bad  about my walking at the steepest portion ........... reaching  the top  was wonderful, saw the finish station tent, cars, etc. and I  went into  higher gear.

It was exhilarating once you reached the top ......... and it was downhill from there, amidst more rocks, sand, arroyos, ruts, etc. to about 50 yards from the finish line where you had to literally 'climb' and scramble a short hill that had nothing but sand and a couple of rocks to plant your feet.  Although the last 1/2 mile seemed to take FOREVER, it was euphoric crossing the finish line!

My official time was 2:40 ........ 15.5 miles!!  WOW!! 

I came in 35th overall.  7th female overall.  1st in my age group, female. 

I was elated!!  I think I could have shaved off a couple of minutes if I didn't have to stop a few times to make sure I was on the right trail, to look for other 25k runners ............ as there were other colored markers for the 5k, 10 mile, and 50k runners.  But I'll take it!! 

A 62 yr old male came in 10th OVERALL!!!

Every muscle fiber in my legs and calves carried me through the race!!  My training runs have really improved my overall performance.  It's such an incredible sense of accomplishment!!  kI relish in it even though I could feel the post-run stress on my drive home, stopping about every 50 miles to stretch, normally takes about 2 hours but I made it home in 3, haha!  Had to get back for the parade of lights and a holiday party later that night!!  Can you believe that! haha!  crazy!

FearlessRunner - Congratulations on your age group win. Please do not down play your accomplishment and call it "small."  It doesn't matter if a person has run their first mile ever, or finished a marathon.  Both are significant accomplishments.

Di2079 - Congratulations to you as well on your age group win and nice placement in the overall rankingsl.  Your description of the race makes me feel like I was there too.

Hello everyone,

I see that there has not been much activity in this thread lately.

But I will post my results anyway.

Another check off my bucket list:  finished my FIRST MARATHON!!  P.F.Chang Rock 'n Roll series event in Phoenix, AZ Sunday, Jan. 16th.   Perfect weather, overcast clouds kept the temps in the 50s/60s for most of my run, it was great!  Flat course, scenic in some areas with very energic crowds and upbeat bands, aid stations were located in appropriate mile markers with plenty of volunteers.

My goal was to try to finish close to 4 hours but definitely under 5 hours.  I really had to stay close to a 9 min/mile which I felt comfortable sustaining for most of the distance, not sure about how I would feel the last few miles.  My strategy which I have been doing in my training runs was to take walk breaks.  I did take a one minute walk break every mile except for mile 6 - 8, mile 14 - 16, and mile 24 - 26.  There was a mile now and then that I calculated I ran around 8:30 min/mile, I had to slow down just to make sure I would have enough to finish strong.  That was difficult to do but I stuck to it.  I did stop long enough at my walk breaks to take some photos with my phone camera too!  I made it to the halfway mark, 13.1 at 2:06 which is seared in my brain, haha!  I knew I was doing very well!!

I was really cruising from mile 16 - 22, I felt good.  Endurance was there the whole distance!!  I did not feel out of breath/tired but after mile 22, my groin area begin to feel the stress/fatigue.  I made it every mile after that on sheer determination; the walk breaks at mile 22, 23 and 24 seemed too short, haha, but I continued on.

A friend of mine, Kim, who just finished her first marathon (in Tucson, AZ) met me on her 10 speed bike at mile 22 to encourage me.  She understood the mental challenge of running a marathon from her experience but she is use to running/racing on paved roads versus my running/racing on trail roads.  Her mom (now in her 60s and still runs 5ks) had helped her by running her in the last 3 miles in the Tucson marathon.  Kim was amazing!  She talked to me on my walk breaks, to change my form to lift the burden off my groin, which she also experienced herself.

I made up my mind to zone out the pain and go for it the last two miles.

Actually, running faster seem to ease the pain/discomfort in my groin area.  But, I was also counting on my ability to finish strong and I picked up my pace, setting my sight on a runner ahead of me and passing him/her ............ I couldn't believe the number of runners I passed the last two miles.  That was so invigorating that I began to run even faster the last 1/2 mile.  I don't know how many runners I passed even in that last 1/2 mile but seeing the finish line was glorious!!!

My official chip time was 4:10:30 !!!!

Pretty close to my goal!!  I'll take it!!  WOOHOO!! 

For the rest of the day, my groin area was the only 'soreness' and fatigue I could feel walking back to my vehicle.  I made sure I was walking/stretching for at least 30 minutes after finishing.  Drank my chocolate soymilk and plenty of water.  My left achilles tendons which I have been nursing for most of the summer but strengthening it did not affect me at all.  I really can't believe how well I am recovering.  It is better than I anticipated.

Today, I still feel soreness, mild though, in the groin area, no pain; it's like how I feel after my long training runs in the mountains.  But, really, overall, I have been training and recovering smarter the whole year just so I can do recover well after my first marathon.  It was well worth it!

So, I am actually looking forward to another marathon ........... and try to finish under 4 hours!!  INSANE, I know!!

I am registering for some 1/2 marathons, 25k and 30k trail races for the next few months which I prefer.  I am planning on them to train for my next marathon which I am thinking of:  Country Music Rock 'n Roll event in Nashville.  I'm not a country music person at all but never been to Nashville ........... or I might end up in San Diego or Seattle (June).

Hope everyone had an awesome weekend, and if you had a race, hope you are elated as I was!!

I'm still celebrating!!  LOL!!!  I have a massage today ............ wonderful!!

HAHA!

That was hilarious ........ and made my day ......... thanks!

To tell you the truth, I was asked for my ID for a couple of races earlier in the year when I told them my age division!

Taking care of yourself sure has its perks ...... later in life! LOL!

That was funny, Joseph.