St. George Marathon

St. George Marathon, 2024!  This was one for the books!  I had sworn off marathons after I finally broke the three hour barrier in 2022.  They are just. not. fun.  Also, they are very hard on my body, and I know that I can't sustain that kind of load long term.  Regardless, I had still always planned on running the NYC marathon after being completely done having kids.  It feels like a fun comeback race, one that I wouldn't train hard for, just enjoy.  Well...in 2024 the NYC marathon changed its rules from requiring only a half marathon time to qualify, to requiring a full marathon time to qualify...oof.  Whether I liked it or not, I had to do one more hard effort to get into NYC.

The good news?  I got to train with my friend, Kaydi.  We also ran elite, which was a really fun experience.  We dropped six pre-mixed bottles to pick up along the course.  It actually made a huge difference for us because it was a hot day.  #67!

I won't go into a lot of detail with training other than to say, we worked our butts off.  We trained hard.  Our goal was a sub-2:50, which would be a huge PR for me.  We ended up just shy of that goal.  Kaydi dropped me in the last two miles by about 30 seconds and ended up with a 2:51.30.  I came in right behind her with a 2:52.04.  For me though, this was a huge 3 minute PR anyway!  I couldn't be happier.  We ran a really smart race, and I'm very, very proud to go out on this.

{start line nerves}

{smile miles in the beginning}

{getting serious}

{step-for-step}

{werk werk werk}

Ok.  So this part of the story is really special to me.  I was ranked 17th going in.  I thought that on a great day, I could maybe break the top 15.  Throughout the entire race, we didn't know where we were placed.  No idea.  When I crossed the finish line, I knew my time, but I assumed I was pretty far back in the pack of women.  A minute after I crossed the line, I saw Kaydi running up to me shouting, "We're 9th and 10th!!!  We're 9th & 10th!!!!!"  It took me a second to register, and then we both just started crying.  We broke into the top ten of the St. George Marathon!  This is a pretty significant achievement and just really cool for me.  I still can't believe it.    

Honestly, this day is core running memory for me.  It doesn't get better than this.  As an added bonus, I got myself my NYC qualifier.

Noooow I can retire.  No. more. marathons.  After NYC, that is.  

{top ten!}

{top ten podium}

{8th, 5th, 10th, 9th}

{the best running buddy}

{support crew!}

{coach E for life}

My stats:

2:52.04

6:33/mile pace

10th place

{the splits}