Wenatchee Marathon 2014

 The best part about doing a race for the second year in a row is that you know the course. Somehow I find that to be an advantage. If you were focused the year before, and if you didn't 'hit the wall', you remember when every turn is, where every aid station is. This year I also had something to prove. Last year I came short of my goal time by almost an hour. Although I was happy to had finish the race, I was sorely disappointed of my time. Not this year though. Nope. I trained harder, became stronger, and started the race better prepared. I learned from training for the last marathon that cross training is a major key to doing well. This time around, my cross training of choice was a round of Insanity. Also training on routes with more hills helped me build endurance.

Race day came on a cool spring day. It was sunny though, so that meant that the weather would get warm during my run. Learning from the mistakes I made the year before, I made sure this year I had sunblock, a hydration belt, and my own gels. (I'm picky when it comes to flavors.) There is a point on the course, between mile 20 and 23.5, where there is a gap between aid stations. If you have ever been in Eastern Washington in the spring then you know it can get warm. Last year I was not prepared for this gap and heat, so this year I made sure I had plenty of water on me to compensate.

 Waiting for the race to start.

 First time around the loop.

Second time around the loop and making good time.

 Crossing the finish line.

Me and my bling.

My official finish time for the is race was 5:05:59, six minutes short of my goal. I really can't complain much with that time because I pushed hard and I had a fun time. That is really what maters most. Normally I give myself some time to recover after a marathon, but this time I had to jump right back into training because I will be doing this again in two weeks. My next race will be the Tacoma City Marathon, May 4th, 4014. My goal is to finish under five hours.