That Elusive Sub 4:00 Hour Marathon

^{On Sunday December 6th, 2009,}

I will run my 6^th marathon in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Rock n Roll Marathon. It will be the 3^rd marathon of the year and yet another chance to beat the clock and the elusive sub 4:00 marathon. Coming closer to it in my past two marathons, Los Angeles Marathon May 30, 4:15:14 and St. George Utah marathon, October 3^rd: 4:17:25.

I ran my first marathon at 15 years old and finished somewhere just after 4:00 hours and another at 17 years old and again finishing a little after 4:00 too. At the time I didn’t care about time or even pacing, I just wanted to finish! It is such an emotional moment to push through to and past the last exhausting mile point two. Since then I equated every difficult situation to the experience; I reasoned, “If I can run a marathon, I can do anything!”

As I got older I still ran, but it would be 16 years and 4 months before I would attempt another marathon. I guess I wanted to prove I could still do it, after the 16 years, pregnancy and a chronic illness I believed I had something to prove. Again the objective was just to finish, I started the course strong that year but fizzled fast at mile 15 I just wanted it over but again persevered to finish 4:39:46 (10:40 pace).

By my 4^th marathon it was a certainty in my mind that I would finish, my goals shifted towards time. I wanted to run as close to 4 hours as possible. I felt good and was healthier than ever! My dear friend Ray Mena, an Ironman, who has a marathon PR of 2:58, and who just happened to be running San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon, the following week offered to help pace me, I was in heaven, this was the most enjoyable marathon ever, passing through water and fruit stations Ray would ask, “What do you want?” He’d fight the crowds and grab whatever I needed as I ran straight through. We had a great time. It was nice having company for the long run. Although I didn’t make it in 4 hours flat I was still close at 4:15:25 and 24:32 faster than 2 years before!

On October 3^rd, 2009 it was my 5^th marathon and my 2^nd attempt at running under 4:00 in St. George, Utah. This course was perfect for getting a personal record but that morning I made a fatal running mistake and changed the sports drink I usually use in the marathon. Needless to say my body didn’t agree, I cramped up and made quite a few pit stops along the way. And even through that I managed to be only 2 min 11 seconds off my LA Marathon time.

Now 6 days until attempt number three! I just have to average 9 minute miles for 26.2. My training has been a little different this time, I’ve included speed work and more hill training. I ran my last 20 mile run in just a little over 3:00 hours. Ray is also back to pace, and we won’t be alone. We’ll be running with Rory and new friend Jackie who also wants to break 4:00 hours. I am looking forward to the experience. I feel more confident and stronger to go after and trounce the elusive 4:00 hour marathon.

Thanks to Jack, Rory, Ray and Nesrein and Randy for all your inspiration. You all keep me running!