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Remembering the 2012 St. George Marathon


I'm still basking in my post-marathon glow. And I want to get some things down before I forget so I can remember what I did differently this time that seemed to work a little better than what I have done in the past. And there are just some other things I want to remember. So bullets points it is...
  • I walked through almost every aid station. I usually took two cups of water. One to drink, one to pour down the front or back of my shirt.
  • I stopped twice to pee. In other words, I stayed hydrated. I didn't, however, wait in the port-a-potty lines. If you want to know my quick, discreet method for potty stops, let me know.
  • I carried my hand-held filled with Powerade. I can't stomach yellow Gatorade, which is what they have on the St. George course. I also took two electrolyte tablets about every six miles.
  • I ate a banana about an hour before the start. I didn't GU or put anything other than liquid in my body during the race. My body was very grateful.
  • I took a sinus tablet and my anti-nausea medicine when I ate my banana before the race. Both did their jobs.
  • I wore my new Active Bands headband. I'm thinking they might be good luck charms. Just sayin'.
  • This is the second race where my watch has malfunctioned (in this case it was a user malfunction) and I have gotten a surprising PR. I really think there is something to listening to my body rather than constantly watching my pace and time on my watch!
  • I listened to music the entire race (other than the last 1/4 mile). And I ran the entire thing alone. I seem to do better when I run alone because I'm not trying to make conversation and I don't pressure myself to go at someone else's pace. I love seeing people I know before and after races though!! 
  • So much really is mental. I didn't believe that before this race proved it. And now looking back, I can see how much my attitude affected past races. I went into this knowing I had trained and was physically prepared. I was excited and had a plan if it was really hot again. I psyched myself up all week before the race. I made an extra effort during the race to focus on my music or think about something else when I started hurting.
I told you in my last post, I couldn't stop smiling.
 
Even when I was getting a little stiff and went back to run the hubs in, I was smiling!!
Then I got the proofs for my race photos yesterday. Apparently the smiling began when I crossed the starting line. I am smiling in every. single. one. These are just two of 11 smiley photos.
 

And if I was smiling this big when I crossed the finish, knowing my chip/actual time was even faster, you can just imagine my smile when I saw that it was really 4:02:44!!

 

Comments

  1. Nice pics. I'm running a half this weekend and I'll have to remember to smile for the camera. It makes for such good photos. Plus I had my teeth cleaned this week (coincidence not on purpose) so my teeth will even look good.

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  2. Nice pics. I'm running a half this weekend and I'll have to remember to smile for the camera. It makes for such good photos. Plus I had my teeth cleaned this week (coincidence not on purpose) so my teeth will even look good.

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  3. I am so jealous of all your race pictures. Sounds like it was an amazing day of racing. Congrats!!!

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  4. Congratulations! I love happy race pictures because you know the person just plain loved the run! Awesome!

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  5. Looks like you had so much fun. Great Job!

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  6. You did so well, congrats again! It is all mental...I like and know that. I also do better alone. I never look at my watch while running and gauge all via my body. The photos are great! Have a super weekend!

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  7. Priceless! This is why we keep running, and push ourselves day after day. For the exact moments you describe. So incredibly happy for you Candice! I totally believed in you and am so glad you believed in yourself last Saturday. :)

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  8. Sounds like a glorious race. Like Rachelle said, races like these are what make all those training miles worth it. I bet you wish you could freeze that race in time and run it over and over again. Fantastic job!

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  9. I'm always in jaw-dropping awe of full marathoners!! Congrats!

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  10. Those are great smiling pictures! It really must have been a PR day. Plus your legs look so great!

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