Metric Marathon Race Report

As I wrote last week, my friend Lauren roped me into running a Metric Marathon this past Sunday. It was either that, or run the 13 miles we had on the schedule all by myself. This race traditionally has 0nly around 100 to 150 runners, most all of them fast. Well, considerably faster than me, that is. This year, I think there were around 200 or so...still mostly all faster than me!

By the time Saturday evening rolled around, I really didn't want to do this race. I was seriously afraid of coming in last, of having hip pain prevent me from continuing, and of just embarrassing myself. I figured if I ran my 13 and then walked the last 3.3 miles in, I would have accomplished what I needed to for the day. I made arrangements to pick Lauren up so that I couldn't chicken out. But, I kept hoping it would be rainy, or that maybe they wouldn't accept my registration, etc. No such luck. At 8:00 on a lovely and cool fall morning, I started running this dreaded race.

Since I was running Galloway (2/1 run walk), I ended up at the very end of the pack since, like a good Galloway follower, I started my first walk after 2 minutes. A little over a mile in, one of the support bikes came by to ask if I was ok. I have to say, I was a little offended that she thought I was going to have trouble because I was walking. I explained that I was doing the Galloway method, and she still looked at me strangely. I figured, "whatever" and kept going.

Earlier in the morning, I asked Lauren why she likes this race so much. She told me that the scenery is lovely. At the time, I didn't see how any scenery could be worth 16 miles of running, but she was right...it was gorgeous and a perfect morning for a run. I could see runners in front of me, and didn't think anyone was behind me. I was essentially alone on quiet roads. Strangely, it was really peaceful and made me wish that I lived out in the country and could have such pretty morning runs all of the time! My goal was to average 12 min miles doing 2/1 intervals. My first mile was 11:00, second was 11:15, and the third was 10:45. I told myself I needed to slow down, but I felt great! I figured I would go at my comfortably fast pace as long as possible, which might help me not finish last.

I picked off my first runner at mile 4. She was running without walking at a really slow pace. I was almost able to walk past her. At mile 6, I passed someone in front of me at the water stop who didn't think she could continue on. She had been running without stopping in front of me, as well. At mile 9, I made the final push past a man that had been in my sights for 4 miles. He had clearly gotten tired and was walking when he got tired, and then running again. We leapfrogged back and forth for about 5 run/walk cycles. I caught him on a hill with my fresher legs (thank you 1 minute walks!), and stayed in front for good. Then, I passed a friend of ours who was running 8 minute/2 minute intervals. Finally, at Mile 12, I caught up to another woman I know who was running straight out as well. We had started together, then when I stopped for my first walk she got ahead. I passed her on the nasty hill at Mile 14. Between 14 and 15, I passed 3 or 4 very in-shape looking people who were walking. I figured they must have been near the front at first, but had been walking for awhile.

I actually finished the race in 3:06. My 12 minute mile pace would have had me finish at 3:16. I managed to average an 11:25 pace for the whole race! That was surprising, and has certainly given me some more confidence for our Goofy Training. I won't be running that fast for that long (especially since I'm a bit sore today), but to know I could maintain that pace for 16 hilly miles (in perfect weather conditions) is definitely confidence-boosting. And, I apparently proved that there is something to that Galloway method jargon...you can stay stronger for longer with walk breaks! At no point during the race did I think "Gosh, I'm so tired and in pain, I'm just gonna walk for awhile". You truly can do just about anything for 2 minutes!

I don't know that I would do this race again unless I needed the mileage for training. It was gorgeous scenery and well-supported with water stops, but it is definitely not slower-runner friendly. While I was walking during the race on scheduled walk breaks, at least 3 people asked if I was ok or needed help or transport back to the start. I appreciate them looking out for runners, and I realize that usually when someone is walking it means they are struggling, but this is a race put on by a running club that has a big Galloway contingent. When I talked to some runners slower than me who have run this race in the past, they relayed similar experiences. I at least felt vindicated in my running strategy when I started picking people off! I would recommend this race to anyone who averages around a 10 minute mile or faster over a long distance. You'll be in the pack and enjoy yourself. If you are slower, be prepared to spend a lot of time by yourself on the course unless you have a running buddy with you to start. I enjoyed the time by myself (I've been so busy lately it was nice to "slow down" and have a little commune with God time), but not everyone would enjoy it so much.