2017 Providence Marathon
On May 7th, 2017 I ran my 4th and fastest marathon in Providence, RI, where all of the hard work and dedication training during those cold and dark winter months paid off. I have run the 2014 Baystate Marathon, 2015 Chicago Marathon, and the overheated/cancelled mid-race 2016 Vermont Marathon (don't worry, I still managed to finish)! Some may think I’m crazy, but I’m a goal setter and am always looking challenge myself and find my edge.
What I love about training for a marathon is the months leading up. Almost every week is an accomplishment as you run 1-2 miles further during your weekend long runs which may be the furthest distance(s) for the year - or ever - working up that peak week 20 mile run. After peak week, you get a chance slow down, cut back, and get to enjoy 'extra' time that was once spent pounding the pavement. And let's be real, I LOVE to eat ;)
Marathon training also puts you in touch with your mind and body, teaches you to be flexible with your training schedule - especially when the days get darker, snowy and cold - (I am proud to say I only did one treadmill run), and pushes you to be mindful of what you put into your body when it comes to proper nutrition, hydration, and sleep - you really need to take care of yourself.
Race day is a whole different experience. The perfect conditions have to be set up - sleep, proper nutrition, hydration, weather and that mental confidence in trusting mind over matter. The furthest distance typically run during marathon training is ~ 20 miles, so during those last 6.2 miles, you have to trust that all of those training days - some which are a true struggle- will allow you to push through that 20 mile 'wall' to the finish line. You have to tune in, pay attention and listen to your body to pace yourself along the 26.2 mile journey.
I went into race day with a goal to listen to my body and attempt to finish at 4:20:00, and at a minimum hit a PR which meant to finish under 4:25:27 - 2014 Baystate Ashworth. Maybe it was the pierogi's, brats, and few sips of German beer I enjoyed the night before at Faust, maybe it was the hype that my fiancé and I met our 5 month mark until our wedding (holy cow!), maybe it was because I am on a new journey in my 30's (sigh) after leaving the 'corporate world’ and wanted to prove to myself that I am still strong, perhaps it was just the race day adrenaline rush, or maybe, quite possibly it was all of my hard work and dedication during training. Regardless, I must say that the 2017 Providence Marathon was hands down the best and most enjoyable marathons I have ever run - mentally and physically, and I successfully completed with a finishing time of 4:16:31.