A PR at the Frederick Marathon in an unsuccesful attempt to beat the rain

With my friend Serge Arbona from Umstead 100. In 2007, Serge (the winner) and I ran a bit of the race together during a small bit of the loop course. I believe he might have been taking a slight break and I was pushing myself because he was good company. He is a really nice person and an extraordinary runner frequently coming in first in ultra's and top 5 in shorter events.

My friend Peter along the course in Frederick. Peter was so kind to get my packet so I could compete (albeit fail miserable in the Great Urban Race yesterday). Peter is a great friend who I have spent many hours on the run with. He was definitely a mentor to me during my first few JFK50 milers. Peter recently joined the Marathon Maniacs and is now living out the philosophy of running marathons in excess:-) and will be going to several events that I will be running as well. He is training up for a 24 hour race in Philly this summer (I think it is the same weekend at VT100)

Running along the course before the rains start. In fact during this segment of the race I was pretty happy because it was just about the right temperature. Unfortunately from about mile 7 on, it was raining (and frequently downpouring). I heard a rumor that at some point there might have been some sleet or hail. I could believe it!

After the finish. You will notice I was wearing my preferred outfit, which I put on once the rain started. I REALLY hate rain and getting wet. I would suggest my upper body was dry until about mile 20, but my legs got wet almost immediately when the rain started. And my feet were damp by mile 15 but squishing by mile 23. The last few miles even I was not even trying to avoid puddles (and I am queen of the puddle avoiders!)

After a tough race I deserve a dozen donuts. Frederick Marathon is conveniently located about 1 mile from a Fractured Prune Donut Shop. And even better, it is on the route I drive home, thus I had to make a pilgrimage for some donuts. I am about halfway through my dozen and am feeling a heart attack coming on:-)

Today I ran the Frederick Marathon for the 3rd time. Last year my time was about 5 hours. But this year I decided I needed to get some speed training and initially there was no rain and I had hoped to go quickly enough to finish before the predicted rain. This did not happen.

My friend Peter W who stayed with us at the Disney Marathon picked up my packet. I was fortunate enough to run into him about 30 minutes before the race start and got my chip and bib. We chatted breifly and I was happy for him because the temperature was not going to be too hot, which I believe is his desired running weather.

While chatting with Peter, I was able to see my friend Serge A. from Umstead 100. Serge is so nice (in fact in 2007 we spent 10-15 minutes pacing each other until his 10 minute miles were too hard for me). We caught up briefly about upcoming events. When I said my next 100 was VT100 for the second time, he mentioned when he ran VT100, he beat the horses. I sadly was passed by the horses about 10-20 miles in but mentioned I did not find it too stressful and liked the horses.

Ultimately I had to cut my conversations short because I had to deal with checking my gear. I spent alot of time debating what to bring and what to leave. It was a bit chilly (61 degree's and not raining) but rain was predicted. By the time I finished it was 56 degree's and raining very hard.

But I did try to run really fast (for me) in attempt to potentially beat the rain. Ultimately finished the race in ~4:15 gun time. As usual I have no idea of my chip time because I was in the ladies room when the runners were told to "GO!". But now the marathon results have been posted and it was 4:09:09!!! A sub-4:10 marathon, WAHOO!

Since I am tired, I will write more about this race later this week. Now I need another victory donut!