Stats, Clothes & Food - Technical Marathon Recap

For some of you, the gross post will be much more attractive. This post will be decisively less story-driven and more data driven.

For those who like stats, here's the Strava report.

I was pleased with my heart rate staying where it was. I didn't pay much attention to it during training, but it's helpful data to see. Also, pleased with the pace. I was trying to hold some in reserve to kick at the end, but my "kick" was largely holding pace into the 12mph winds and rain!

I LOVE these colors!

What I wore:

Brooks Launch - in the car ride up - comfy and spacious.

Nike Alphafly Zoom Next 1%. I only ran 20 miles in these shoes before the race and was very nervous about racing in them. However, for the 6 training miles at 6:40 pace, I loved them! Gave them a shot and am sold. Don't want to wear them for training, but excited to wear them for racing.

Smartwool Phd endurance socks - Favorite socks I've ever worn. Great on the trail and the road. Great in the heat and the cold. $25 a pair seemed steep, but not any more.

CEP Calf sleeves - Have worn these for over a decade. Don't go outside without them. I also have no clue if they actually help anymore. They have relieved knee pain in the past.

BOA three inch split shorts - Most comfortable shorts I've ever worn. Most people think they're too short. They do make shorter shorts. You're welcome.

Runderwear - Just started using these and love them.

Patagonia Long Sleeve - Thanks Mom Fox! Great Christmas gift and my new favorite long sleeve. Did well to keep me warm, dried quickly when the rain stopped and didn't feel too heavy when it was soaked!

Craft gloves with mittens - Decent gloves. Can't find a pair I love. Wish I had lightweight waterproof gloves as my hands were cold.

Salomon XA hat - Most comfortable hat for my head. I hope they keep making this model!

The whole ensemble - At a distance

Other gear:

Firefly recovery - on the ride there and the ride home - this nerve stimulation has been game changing for me. Feels super weird, but the results are real! Great to get the blood flowing before the race and recover well after.

AMP PR lotion - put on 20 minutes before the race. Another "extra" that I've come to love. It makes a difference!

Trigger point ball - before we left for the race. Love this little red ball - necessary warm up every morning.

Bandaids - My go to to prevent chafing

Aquaphor - on my toes to prevent blisters. I was surprised when I took my shoes off, because my toes felt fine during the race!

Compeed on my left ring toe - working with a current blister. This was a life saver. I didn't think about wearing dress shoes 9 days before the race. Oops! Yet, Compeed during the marathon was super helpful!

What I ate:

Bread and jam before I left at 4:30am.

Half a Crafted Biker bar - love these things!

Gatorade and LMNT Citrus salt drink before the race

Honey Stinger Lime Margarita Performance chews (15-20 through the race). I don't particularly like these. I've gotten used to eating for ultramarathons. Yet, these work at pace and I appreciate that!

Gatorade - orange in the bottles and whatever they had at aid stations.

One Motts fruit gummy - a little sweeter than the Honey Stinger chews and I was able to get the down!

A little LMNT citrus salt at the halfway mark.

If I was training for more marathons, I would want to sharpen my nutrition at a 6:40 pace. However, my goal pace for the next running adventures will be closer to 9-12 minutes/mile. Bring on the gummies, chips, and fruit!