2:38:34 - New Course Record, New Personal Best

I am so happy to report that last Saturday (Nov 1st), I won the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon with a time of 2:38:34!!!  It was a new course record and a PR by 3:20.  

I have put out a new video diary on Flotrack.org talking through my race and thoughts:


Watch more videos on Flotrack


Here are some pictures from the race and weekend:

 

We flew to Indianapolis on Thursday and checked into our hotel - The Westin in downtown Indianapolis

I went out Thursday afternoon and bought my brother the Andrew Luck jersey he has been wanting. :)   Of course I had to try it on first. 

On Friday afternoon my Dad and I had the great opportunity to talk at the race Expo about training and racing.  Great crowd and we loved meeting everyone!  

Then it was on to the elite runner meeting, getting my race number and turning in my fluid bottles along with everyone else's (we had some creative runners by the looks of some of the bottles). :)  

Then it was time for my favorite part about the day before a race:  Lasagna Dinner!!!!
Ate at Buca deBippo in downtown Indianapolis, just like last year - yummy!  

Race morning it was cold and windy and 17 mph winds at the start - but I had a good game plan for the conditions and was feeling good - thumbs up and ready to roll.  

Start Time:  8:00 AM   Temp 30F and 17 MPH winds;  Wind Chill of 18F

I got out smoothly and settled in with a group of guys looking to run 1:19 HM or 2:39'ish Marathon. It was great to have people to work with and these guys were awesome.  Special thanks to Jesse for helping us to 20 miles and to John for getting the Masters Men win.  

By 20 miles we had spread out and I ran by myself for most of the last 6.2 miles

I stayed focused and concentrated on maintaining my pace and cadence and keeping good form in those final miles.

Finally I rounded the last corner and the crowd was so awesome, I could see the clock and sprinted as best I could towards the finish line.

I threw my hands in the air and flashed the peace sign as I crossed the finish line.

I did it - the win, the course record and a big new PR:  2:38:34 (officially)

OMG - I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!    And Dad was there to give me a big hug - victory hugs are the best hugs.

Celebrated with a new friend Ashley from the Autism Society of Indiana and later talked to the crowds at the finish.

Enjoyed a great post race lunch with fellow 2016 U.S. Marathon Trials Project member, Sarah Lannom, and her parents. 

Very proud to hang my race certificate on my wall showing my new PR and putting it right below my one from last year showing my 3:20 improvement.

Was incredibly honored when the USATF named me the USATF Athlete of the Week for my win and course record. What an incredible honor and one I am humbled to receive.

But by far the greatest thing that happened all weekend was that by breaking the course record I earned a bonus and was able to donate 25% of that bonus to the Autism Society of Indiana, and the race organizers matched that donation.  I thought of this repeatedly during the race, especially in the last 6 miles, and it kept me motivated, positive and determined all race long. 

Race Stats

Start Weather:  Temp 30F   Wind:  N 17 mph   Windchill: 18F

Finish Weather:  Temp 33F   Wind:  N 15 mph  Windchill: 23F

1st Place Female / Course Record / 2:38:34

10k split:  37:20  (6:00 avg. pace)

Half Marathon split:   1:19:28 (6:04 overall avg.)  (6:07 avg. from 10k to HM)

30k split:  1:52:46  (6:03 overall avg.)   (6:01 avg. from HM to 30k)

Marathon:  2:38:34  (6:03 overall avg.)  (6:03 avg. from 30k to Finish)

1:19:28 first half  / 1:19:06 second half

Fueling:

4-6 oz of Gatorade each at 10k, 20k and 30k

Chocolate Outrage Gu at 20k

3-6 oz water at  9, 15, 21 miles

Pre-Race:  16 oz Powerade, Full package of orange Chomps (2 servings), Med. Banana