Kentucky Derby Marathon Race Report ~ Cavedog Running

Well, if the hills separate the men from the boys, then I must be a little girl. We don't have hills like that in Florida. Iroqouis Park wasn't bad, but Cherokee Park had more up and down than a roller coaster. I think the elevation chart on the marathon site was really wrong. If those hills were 1% and 2% grade then I am going to win the lottery tonight (I still hope I win the lottery though).

Here's the numbers. Finishing time 3:50:06-192 out of 722 males-36 out of 133 35-39 age group. I feel pretty good, just my right knee feels like it needs to be oiled.

I started of well, but was probably keeping a little too fast of a pace the first ten miles. It was great seeing Jenny and the kids as I entered and left Churchhill Downs, as I started up the 2nd Street Bridge and the finish. For once I got to see faces I know a few times! I told Jenny at mile 11 that I didn't know how it was going to go as my legs were starting to feel off sooner that they should have. By the time I got to 13 miles, I pretty much decided to just enjoy the run and the beautiful scenery as I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep the pace up the hills in Cherokee Park. Those hills were the biggest I have ever run. I ended up employing a run/walk strategy which worked pretty well for a while. By the time I got to the bridge at mile 21, I was starting to fight cramps. Luckily, I was able to keep the cramps away, but couldn't go very fast as they were pretty much shot. Through a few stops to stretch and my emergency salt tablet supply, I made it through and kept a smile on the whole time. I just tried to enjoy the run and the people along the course who were fantastic with a few offering water, oranges, and other goodies to runners.

The weather started out around 64 degrees and drizzly. Not the temperature you want, but the wet made it feel cooler. Unfortunately, the rain stopped and the stupid sun came out around mile 19 making it quite warm. Although I feel the marathon didn't have enough water stops or as many as the other marathons I have done, they at least were handing out small bottles of water instead of cups. So, I always kept the bottle so I could splash over my head or take a sip.

Considering the course, I am not unhappy with my time. Probably could have paced better from the start, but no guts no glory, right? Up until mile 19 where the course enters the downtown area, the course was the prettiest I have run. The parks and neighborhoods were gorgeous.

As I feel that my aerobic capacity is good enough to run the kind of times I feel I should, I need to make an effort to build more strength in my legs to battle courses like this and run better on flat courses. I am planning my next marathon to be the Spacecoast Marathon in November.

After the race, we met up with Jenny's friend Barb at the Louisville Zoo. Unfortunately, we didn't go in because it was getting ready to rain. When then tried to go to a museum that wasn't where it was supposed to be. We ended up at the Louisville Slugger Museum and took a factory tour. Everyone enjoyed getting together and getting out mini bats at the end of the tour.

Tomorrow, it is time to pack up camp and head for home (all 800 miles of it). Looking forward to seeing Howard & Teresa for lunch in Cave City! The rain is finally almost over. We had enough time to cook dinner before a big thunderstorm came through. At least we have a really good tent!

All in all, it has been a great week starting off with my first 5K win, going to some wonderful places, and finishing with a beautiful but tough run this morning.

[caption id="attachment_713" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Think getting up a 4AM was a little early for Emily."]

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[caption id="attachment_714" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The bugler from Churchill Downs gets everyone ready with the call to the starting gate."]

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[caption id="attachment_716" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Mile nine and feeling fine. Hey, this is pretty easy! Too bad those nasty hills are coming."]

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[caption id="attachment_717" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Stretching and a quick chat with Jenny at mile 21 before trudging over the bridge into Jeffersonville and back."]

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[caption id="attachment_718" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Hi Ho, Hi Ho, off to Jeffersonville we go. Ugh!!"]

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[caption id="attachment_719" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="I at least saved up enough fo a decent looking finish."]

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[caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Happy to be out of my soaked clothes and with my nice new finisher's medal."]