Mobile Marathon Race Report

I decided to sign up for marathon #9 in Mobile, Alabama in August when I got done through hiking the Appalachian Trail. I wanted redemption from the two crappy races I had at the beginning of 2018. The Melbourne (Florida) marathon in February turned into a disaster when the temperature climbed into the upper 80s on race day. The marathon in Atlanta a month later wasn't much better and I was frustrated. In April 2018 I began my Appalachian Trail thru hike and assumed that I would have to begin my run - and triathlon - training from square one, eliminating all the progress I had made.

When I started running in August I could only manage one mile at a time. My feet ached and my legs were stiff. My hamstrings hurt, but I kept running and eventually the pain subsided. After a week or two I started running 2, 3, 4 miles at a time and by the end of September my long runs were at 8 miles. My training times were as fast or faster than my paces before my thru hike and I began to be encouraged. By the time January rolled around I felt prepared - I had run two 20 milers and a 22 miler.

I flew down to Mobile Friday January 11th and drove over to Niceville, FL to visit my friend JJ and her family. Saturday afternoon I headed back to Mobile and arrived at packet pick up about 15 minutes before closing. The expo was packed up already but it didn't look like I missed much. I checked in to the Hampton Inn just a few blocks from the start and finish lines and found a pizza spot for dinner.

Start Line

After a quick hotel breakfast I walked over to the start line. The morning was cool and a little breezy, maybe around 50 degrees and it was only supposed to reach about 55 by noon. I found the 3:45 pacers - two women who had raced this race more than once and lined up next to them. It's a pretty small race so when we started running I had plenty of space to run comfortably. I found myself working hard to hold myself back from running too fast. I'm terrible at pacing so my goal was to not get too far ahead of the pace group. 

Usually I don't like hearing people chit chat around me while racing, but there was something almost soothing about the southern drawl around me. The sun was out but the course was lined with beautiful old trees for most of the early miles. I ran slightly ahead of the pace group, making sure I could still hear them chatting. Eventually I couldn't hear them talking anymore and I didn't know if it was because they were silent to conserve their energy or because I was getting too far ahead of them. 

Still searching for non-awkward race photos

Early miles, already dropped 3:45 pace group

I was slowly pulling away from them but continued to aim for 8:30s. I chatted with a couple other runners for a few miles but ran most of the second half of the race by myself. As expected once the half marathon split from the marathon the course was pretty empty. I carried a disposable water bottle with Perpetuem and sipped on that until it was empty so I could avoid having to stop at the more crowded water stops in the beginning of the race - this strategy worked great and I think I'll use it in future races.

I had been warned there were a few hills from miles 13 through 18 -- I'm not sure I would call them hills, the only one that slowed me down a little was around mile 18. After that it was flat, but the sun was coming out and I was getting hot. I started passing half marathoners in the last stretch but otherwise the roads were empty (see photo below).

Smiling at the finish line

Home stretch

5th Female Overall

Handmade finishers medals and awards

I slowed down a little in the final miles, but overall I'm very proud of my race.  My previous PR was actually my very first marathon back in 2011 in Philadelphia where I ran a 3:51:46. Hopefully this puts me in a good position for training this year.

I hung around the finish line area for a little while, but wasn't hungry to any of the post race food - looked like good BBQ. I ended up 5th female overall and collected my handmade award. I walked back to the Hampton Inn where they were offering free showers for race participants. Overall I had a very good experience in Mobile. State #9 done - only 41 to go!

Flat course, with a couple hills 

Pretty happy with my splits, even if I started to slow down in the last couple miles

Small race means top 50

Post race candid shots - checking in on exhausted finishers