Hello! I ran the Ventura Marathon this weekend and here is my results and recap post…Did you run it? Run another race?
First. Yesterday I wasn’t the best at carb-loading, but I was great at food loading. So, it works. I went to Korean BBQ with Ben, my brother, SIL and that baby I love.
Then, we headed to Ventura for packet pick and all that jazz.
And I set out my stuff – I always recommend doing this the night before a half marathon or marathon – this way you feel more prepared and know if you are missing anything.
Iced my knee because it’s weird. It hurts to kneel on it. It hurts a little every now and then, but not when I run (<- I just wrote ‘fun’ twice, I’m delirious).
Pre-race fuel. x2.
I cannot act like a normal person.
The #1 rule of marathon or half marathon running =
Don’t try anything new on race day.
So, I didn’t try my new way to wear my Spibelt this time…
Still dark at the Ventura pier before the early start.
Before the race I saw Pam and Shane! I haven’t seen Pam in way way too long. He also caught a running pic of me – that saves me $88 on race pics!
The race course: The Ventura Marathon is a FLAT course! A lot of races say that, but then you’re running it like, “What the heck?! I didn’t sign up for The Hill Central Marathon!!”
But this is probably one of the flattest full marathon courses in California. Camarillo was super flat too – but it was very very windy (and I’ve heard it’s windy every year for some reason?).
My race: I had an okay race. I’m always proud of busting out 26.2 miles, but I have a lot to do to get to goal. I had a lot of time to think about this over the course of an almost 4 hour run hello, but I think I really got burnt out and disheartened after Santa Rosa last year and just haven’t been pushing it. I need to get it together now. That’s all. I ran strong until about mile 16 and then fell off.
But, I didn’t call a taxi to take me home – so that’s a win.
Ventura Marathon results: 3:57:38
In happy news I met Mike and his wife at the start and saw him again at the finish. It’s his birthday!!!
Post-marathon feast time
It’s also Ben’s birthday so I’m off to help celebrate!
Happy Birthday!!!
Question: What was the best thing you DID or ATE this weekend?
Christopher says
Happy Birthday Ben!
Em says
Best thing I did was hiking with the family on a perfect hiking day. best thing I ate would be bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers. Yum. 🙂
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I just love your shirt! So cute
runeatrepeat says
Thanks Deborah!
Tracy @ sprinklesandsquats says
A sub 4 hour marathon – holy jeez, congrats!! That’s some amazing stuff right there! The course looks beautiful, too!
This weekend, I had a piece of my no-bake pumpkin eclair cake, and mannnnnnnn was it delicious. I can’t get enough of it, and it’s so easy to make!
Congrats again on your marathon finish!!
Kathryn @ Chicks Dig Running says
The BEST thing I ate this weekend was a no-joke fall apart pork shank at CRU cafe in Charleston. I felt like I had died and gone to meat heaven.
The best thing I did all weekend was get in the ocean! I miss the water so much, being in land-locked Atlanta, so I cherish those few moments in the sea when we go to the beach.
Good job on the race! Looks like you had fun!
cheryl says
Best thing I ate…I had half a bag of potato chips, stress eating during the Patriots loss yesterday, then went for a 7 mile run. Turns out, that is NOT good pre-run fuel…
Best thing I did–1 soccer game, 2 rained out football games, 1 xc meet–I LOVE watching my kids’ play sports!
gracekelle at leangirlsclub says
Congrats on finishing and I think that’s a great time! Something for me to aspire to…
Love that you got korean bbq the night before. Did you smell like bbq the next day? I always feel like it’s coming out of my pores 🙂
runeatrepeat says
I feel like I smelled like it because of the smoke, but I didn’t eat a ton of meat – the sides on the other hand… I was all about that!
Shannon in Tustin says
Best thing I did this weekend was take my son and a friend to the beach on Saturday. It’s our last beach day of the summer before his sports and busy fall activities take over! I loved it so much and finished a book on my kindle. WIN! 🙂
Great time you posted there…nothing wrong with that!
runeatrepeat says
Thanks Shannon 🙂
Rebecca Jo says
That’s one big honking medal!!!
Congrats on another great race!
Happy Birthday to your guy!
The Silent Assassin says
I guess Mike, me and Ben are Virgo buds! You looked strong at the end IMHO. And yes, I got lots of complements on my mis-matched socks. They matched my mizu-hitos ;).
runeatrepeat says
Happy Birthday to you too! Thanks for the pictures!!
Jolien says
I had an 8 mile race 😀 and ran a PR (1:09:02) so very happy!
runeatrepeat says
Congratulations!!!
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff says
I did something so luxurious and sat my butt down on the sofa late Saturday afternoon and watched three movies in a row on Oxygen (Fools Rush In, When Harry Met Sally and Love Actually). Oh and I had the most delicious roasted chicken at a picnic I went to this weekend. So flavorful and juicy.
I would kill to run a 3:57 🙂
Ashley @ Kick Ash Mom.com says
I love how you can have fun after a marathon like it’s no big deal. I hope to one day cross the finish and not hobble to my car to sit on my butt the next two days!
runeatrepeat says
Oh my gosh, after my first marathon my eyelashes even hurt!! It’s taken some time to get to this point where I just can have a ‘normal’ day after 🙂
Ash Bear says
I’m running a completely flat marathon – Berlin. Any tips for running a super flat course? Does it have any difficulties vs a rolling hills?
Lauren @ The Foodie Runner says
One thing that is hard about flat marathons is that since your form never changes (to go up or down a hill) you are using the same muscles the whole time and they might fatigue a little sooner than if you were activating different muscles going up and down hills. I’ve heard great things about the Berlin marathon – GOOD LUCK!
runeatrepeat says
First, Chandra is running Berlin! Do you know her at all?
Second – I would suggest just making sure you are training LRs on flat courses. I feel like I love flat/downhill so I liked the course, just wasn’t my day. Some people really need variation during races for their muscles. It’s kinda up to your body and how it’s going to react.
Sue says
Great job on a sub-4!
Tricia Johnson says
I ran the Women of Wonder 5k and went to a comedy show with my best friend!!!
Sam says
The best thing I did was take my housemate’s dog for a hike in the woods. Congrats on your race!
Tara says
Best thing I did: last long run before a full next week!
Congrats on finishing another full!
Ashley says
Congrats on another 26.2 you crazy amazing runner!
And happy birthday, Ben! <3
Carlee says
It was a warm one down in Oceanside, so I’ve got to assume it was a hot and humid race as well. Way to rock your race any way!!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
Best thing I did this weekend was run a half marathon. Best thing I ate was a burger and fries afterwards.
Meredith says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!!
Ida says
i ate the best, homemade pecan pie this weekend. it was sugar overload in the best way possible.
racing 3 weeks in a row can take a toll, i’m sure you’re closer to goal than you think.
Allison says
I busted out 12.5 miles with my running group. I’ve only ever run that far 2 other times in my life – both were just before crossing the finishing in hg marathon races. I was pretty proud, especially since I had planned on only doing about 8 miles.
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
Hmmm best thing I ate this weekend = homemade salsa! SO GOOD. Awesome job on the race– even if it’s not your best, still a great accomplishment to run 26.2 miles 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
I went to an awesome dinner in my neighborhood in San Francisco with friends and enjoyed fava bean dip, salmon, bubbly and some delicious desserts. There’s always something good to eat around here. Congrats on the race!
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says
Did they give out free refreshments after the race? 😛
runeatrepeat says
No, they charged for them.
Kidding 🙂