Mario Gonzalez ran a Marathon race and finished with a time of 3:41:31. This was a PR by 6 minutes 57 seconds!
In short, the first half was really manageable, while the second half was intense to say the least. I would definitely run this race again, but I would have to find more hills to run in so that I can work on my downhill running.
Official time: 3:41:31
Avg. Pace: 8:28 min/mileThe first six miles were relatively flat, but I listened to the coaching from Runners Connect and I pulled back the first four miles & then settled in. Mile seven was my first real hill and it felt underwhelming but I held back and stuck to the plan. Around mile 10 we what I considered a significant downhill section and I could feel it take a small toll on my hamstrings and calves. Miles 11 and especially mile 12 were mostly uphill and a lot of us slowed down a bit due to the mile 12 incline. The latter half of mile 11 and rest of mile 13 were relatively flat but it was hard to maintain my pace because we were mostly on the Golden Gate Bridge & it was narrow.
The second half started off well for me, my legs felt fresh for the most part and my confidence was up. This all changed when we hit the park. Miles 15, 16, and some of 17 were really hilly. Miles 18 had a big decline and I felt like my hamstrings were going to cramp on me the whole way down so I took it slow. From Mile 19 to 24 I was really battling not to cramp, so I was taking short steps & worked on my form.
Mile 24 I felt good. It was relatively flat so I hit it and felt like I could go well under 8m pace but I was fighting my calves from cramping. When I hit mile 26 I tried kicking it up another gear and my left calves stopped me on my tracks with 100 meters to go. I stretched for about 10 seconds, tested it out and cruised to the finish line.
What really helped me was the short quick steps and the slower paces at the start, along with easy paces on the inclines. I learned from Hawaii when I took the incline relatively hard and paid for when I my hamstrings cramped on miles 18, 20, and 22. Lesson learned and will try to never let it happen again. Good race overall!
Vanessa Hubers ran a 1 mile race and finished this distance in the time of 6:42.
My best time since 2023. Had a bit more in the tank and was happy with my time
Joe Allen ran the Betty Zane 5k and finished this race in the time of 29:40.
I run this race every year. It’s a rolling course through the little city of Martins Ferry, OH with no shade. Normally it’s very hot but this year wasn’t too bad. I just had a Lyme disease attack on Saturday, so had my doubts but did it anyway.
