Fort Worth Marathon 20 Miler: Dress Rehearsal for 26.2

When I was looking at my training plan and race schedule for the White Rock Marathon, I was very pleased to see that there was a 20 mile race on the exact same weekend that one of my 20 milers was scheduled. No doubt that I would approach it as a training run, but what a perfect chance to treat a 20 miler like a dress rehearsal for the real thing. I was so excited that I would be able to practice pace, hydration, and nutrition during race day conditions. I think that this was slightly brilliant on the part of the Fort Worth Marathon organizers.

The running weather gods were so kind (not) to us again. The conditions were slightly more favorable than they were for the DRC Half, but not by much. Temps in the mid-60s with a 10 mph wind and humidity. Oh well, the chances of marathon day weather being like this are high so I might as well be prepared. Erik had just returned from Montana the night before and was not running this race, but he was super supportive and got up and made the early drive over to Fort Worth. This race was fairly small so we had not trouble parking, getting my packet, and finding friends. I chatted with Derek and Robin while I waited for Elaine to arrive with my shirt. Some of us would be advertising the New Year's Double by wearing promo shirts for the race and Elaine was bringing mine to me. . Soon enough Elaine, Robin W, and Lesley arrived and we chatted for a bit and took a few pictures before lining up to start.


Elaine & I model NYD Shirts

I was amazed at how carefree I felt going into this race. It made me realize just how much I stress out about half marathons. I put alot of pressure on myself to run them in two hours or less and anything else feels like I have failed. There was no pressure on this race morning--heck, I was running 20 miles and that alone would be a huge success in my book.

I have working very hard on pacing during this marathon training cycle. I have read and heard the horror stories of runners who have gone out too fast and then have paid for it dearly in the later miles. I know that it will get hard at the end, but I don't want it to be because I went out too fast. My goal for the day was to hold a very reasonable pace somewhere between 9:40 and 10:00 minute miles. The humidity and headwind were telling me that something closer to 10:00 would be more reasonable and I made a goal to finish at or below 3:20. My usual half marathon race pace is between 8:30-9:00 so it is hard at times to run slower, but I know that it is important so I do it.

The race was an out-and-back along the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth. It was a fairly flat course, pretty at times but not the most scenic. We ran into the wind for the first ten miles so I was very much looking forward to the turn around point. Perhaps that would help me post some nice, negative splits. A couple of miles in and I had a strong feeling of deja vu...then I realized that we were running through the park where El Scorcho was run. It looked the same, yet different in the daylight.

The crowd support was minimal for this small race, but my frunners came through in a huge way! I somewhere along the way (before mile 10--maybe around mile 7?) I recognized a small but mighty group. Corina, Marci, and Stacy were there with funny glitter signs, cameras, and lots of cheers. It really made me laugh to see them and certainly put a pep in my step for a little while. They will never know how much that meant to me and I hope to return the favor someday soon!


Cracked up by cheer squad antics

This stretch was fun because the marathon and 20 mile leaders were starting to pass by me heading back the other way. They looked so strong and so fast, I can only imagine what it feels like to run that way. Finally I reached the ten mile turn around and commented about it to the runner next to me. She noticed my shirt and we started talking about the New Year's Double and North Texas Runners. Her name was Danielle and it turns out we had a couple of friends in common. She is also training for her first marathon and works in education as well so we had alot in common. We ran together for about four miles before she ducked off for a pit stop. It was really nice to find company with someone who was of a similar pace. I look forward to meeting up with Danielle in the future at North Texas Runners events. I also passed my cheer squad again while I was running with Danielle. Those girls were making me laugh so hard, they are the best.


Danielle and I get a laugh

I was past the half marathon mark at this point and still felt pretty strong. It was getting warmer out and I was starting to feel the effects of the humidity. I took my gels as scheduled and enjoyed water and gator aide from the aide stations. I have also learned that I love a fresh sliced orange during a long run and was thankful to find them at a few of the rest stops. I was also really enjoying the music from my ipod and found myself drawing upon it for pacing help and motivation. Never doubt the power of good music! I started to feel the most tired somewhere between mile 17 and 18. I am not sure if it was the heat and humidity or if I was getting bored from lack of scenery and crowds, or both. I poured water on my head at one aide station and that seemed to help a little. Mile 18 was my slowest with a pace of 10:24, but then I rallied and pulled a 9:46 in mile 19.


Strong Finish!

Eventually I found myself in the last mile and I began to focus on a good finish. I rounded the corner and saw Erik and my friends there and I worked really hard because I wanted to look strong in front of all of them. I also noticed that I was going to be close to that 3:20 mark so I sprinted it in with all that I could muster. Official finish time: 3:19:46 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!


Post Race with some of the gang

Overall I was very pleased with this race. I felt tired at times, but never like I couldn't go on. My average pace was just under 10:00, which was exactly where it needed to be on a warm and windy day. My mile splits were fairly consistent too with some negative splits in the back half of the race. I also felt like my nutrition was working well for me. Knowing that I can run 20 miles in race conditions has done a ton to boost my confidence. I have no doubt that the marathon will bring me great challenge and even some pain, but I also have confidence that I will survive. I feel proud of the work that I have done in training and I am looking forward to putting that training to the test. Next stop White Rock Marathon...and I can hardly wait!!


Thanks to Corina for the pictures!