This is a nice article regarding the Malibu Marathon.
Malibu Times > Archives > Malibu Life > Malibu International Marathon a success
I'd like to point out this section:
D.J. Palmer of Washington, D.C., captured 1st place in the full marathon with a personal best time of 2:42:45. Palmer, 26, had only previously raced in the Boston Marathon and Richmond Marathon.
“Miles 19 to 24 were brutal,” Palmer said after the event. “I've run the Boston Marathon before. Everyone talks about how bad Heartbreak Hill is. Those hills in Boston are nothing compared to these ones. It was rough, but I stayed mentally strong. I summoned a lot of energy and strength the last couple miles. I stayed calm and collected and worked on race management.”
I couldn't agree more!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
26.2 Mission ACCOMPLISHED!!!
Although it may not have been the prettiest, I conquered the Malibu Marathon 2011. I still can't come off the high of finishing a marathon and I am so sad to see it over already. It was a year in the making and one year ago November, I had never run over 9 miles before. The following is my Race Report:
It started out with a pretty bad night's sleep. I'm sure this isn't unusual for most marathoners. I'm even beginning to think that this is part of the challenge, knowing that you have to run such a distance on so little sleep. I may have gotten 4 hours if I was lucky. My mind was racing and I had several other things running through my mind as well. My thoughts were completely occupied.
My mom came to my bedroom to check on me at 0340 hrs. We were both up as my mom prepared some tea. She had made some awesome t-shirts for every one to wear which read "Run Charli RUN!" I ate some toast with peanut butter and my brother was downstairs shortly after. We hit the road for Camarillo airport at 0520 hrs.
The first song in the car was the Rocky soundtrack which also included Eye of the Tiger. Good selection, Bro! I was amped! Yet I still had an hour car ride to sit through and ponder the future events of the day. Would my body cramp up? Would I walk the whole way? Would I puke? Was I going to be too tired at mile 15 to continue...I had no idea what was in store for me.
We arrived at the race start as the sun was rising up over the mountains. I knew it was going to be a perfect day as I stepped out of the house in the dark and saw an open sky and a clear view of O'Rien constellation. Now the sun was up and the temps were starting to rise. I think it was 55 or so degrees.
Brian played some more Rocky for me. The race also started late because one of the shuttle buses broke down. We waited for the rest of the runners to arrive. There were only about 400 marathoners, which I was surprised there were so few. Dear God, just don't let me be the last runner to cross!
The first 8 miles were a cake walk. I saw my mom on the corner of the road at Mile 1. That was pretty awesome! She ran with me a few feet and then said she had to find her ride. My legs felt like jello from the nerves, but by mile 5, that had worked itself out. At mile 10, I saw my parents and brother on the Pacific Coast Highway onramp from Point Magu. This was a fantastic surprise and a real boost. My family must have used equally as much energy as I did running. They jumped and screamed and hooted and hollered, I am one lucky sister and daughter!
I reached the ocean shortly after. I passed a few people who I had seen at the start who weren't looking so good at such an early point in the race. I was just sooo happy to be by the ocean and see the waves crashing. I passed mile 12 and my family was there again. The hills were about to approach.
It definitely felt lonely in certain parts of the race because there were so few runners and spectators. I was so grateful for the few spectators that were cheering on their friends and family. They cheered me on, also, even though they were complete strangers. I thanked them all!
I don't remember all that much between 13 and the end with the exception of the ascents. They were long and steep and the downhills could not be enjoyed because all I saw was another hill in front of me that I had to conserve my energy for. I did not want to walk up them at all, unless it was my designated 30 second walk break. I especially didn't want to walk in front of my family, even the slowest jog would do.
At around 15-18, I had to fight the nausea. I had consumed about 6 Gu gel packs in total. They were beginning to make me feel sick. I REALLY didn't want to have to throw up on the side of the road. I was doing my best to keep it down in my stomach and think to myself, mind over matter. I'm not sick. I'm not sick. I'm not sick.
I did almost get struck by one SUV on the PCH. My dad saw it too. The driver went into the runners lane and came so close to me that I felt the heat from the radiator (or whatever part of the engine that would be). It was a close one. The driver then swerved through the cones, back into the southbound lane.
I couldn't wait to get to mile 20. At mile 18, I hit the wall that I really thought I wouldn't hit. The forward moment felt nonexistent. No matter how much I tried to move my legs and push the pavement beneath me, it felt like my run was the pace of an elderly person. Just keep running, just keep running. I knew to push through the wall, so my thoughts were still positive. At this point, I had no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't finish. This was a certainty.
Mile marker 21 eventually came. The miles felt longer than they did on my training runs and I believe they actually were. I think my GPS may have been incorrect the entire time I was training. My application on my phone was calling out the miles about .6 of a mile early. This was not helpful. I prayed for the mile markers to appear more quickly. Then I realized I can't ask God to change science. A mile is a mile-- 5,280 feet no matter which way you cut it. So I then prayed to God to change my mental perspective to get me though the miles. Maybe they would FEEL like they were coming more quickly.
My parents and brother were there for pretty much each mile of the way from mile 10 on. This was a tremendous help. I don't know if I could have finished without them cheering me on. Some people I passed were crying from fatigue, most walked up the hills. My parents saw me at mile 22, I think this is when they said it was my last hill and that the rest was downhill. This was entirely inaccurate, but I appreciated their positive outlook on what an "uphill" is.
My dad was there at mile 24 and 25. I could see close to the end at mile 25, but I could also see another incline. I asked my dad if I had to go up the hill and he said that it wasn't really a hill. It was, and it stunk. It felt like only the last half mile or so was down hill to the finish. I had expected the last 2 miles to be downhill, but they weren't.
I managed to sprint, or what felt like a sprint, to the finish. Looking at the videos, it looks a little wobbly, but I just couldn't wait to be done.
I saw my family jumping up and down and screaming for me, and it was an amazing feeling. I finished the 26.2 miles, and it truly was a humbling experience.
It feels like a fleeting moment which I have no way of preserving other than my memories and photos. I guess I will just have to run another...
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| Mom, Dad, Billee and me at the Race start! |
My mom came to my bedroom to check on me at 0340 hrs. We were both up as my mom prepared some tea. She had made some awesome t-shirts for every one to wear which read "Run Charli RUN!" I ate some toast with peanut butter and my brother was downstairs shortly after. We hit the road for Camarillo airport at 0520 hrs.
Brian played some more Rocky for me. The race also started late because one of the shuttle buses broke down. We waited for the rest of the runners to arrive. There were only about 400 marathoners, which I was surprised there were so few. Dear God, just don't let me be the last runner to cross!
We heard the National Anthem, and out the gates we went. I tried to pace myself the first half, because I knew what hills lurked ahead. I wanted to conserve my energy for the hills towards the end. I remembered them being big, but not as big as they felt while running them.
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| Mom, Dad, Brian and runner Dexter at mile 10! |
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| The first and smallest of the hills. |
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| One of my first views of the ocean! |
It definitely felt lonely in certain parts of the race because there were so few runners and spectators. I was so grateful for the few spectators that were cheering on their friends and family. They cheered me on, also, even though they were complete strangers. I thanked them all!
I don't remember all that much between 13 and the end with the exception of the ascents. They were long and steep and the downhills could not be enjoyed because all I saw was another hill in front of me that I had to conserve my energy for. I did not want to walk up them at all, unless it was my designated 30 second walk break. I especially didn't want to walk in front of my family, even the slowest jog would do.
At around 15-18, I had to fight the nausea. I had consumed about 6 Gu gel packs in total. They were beginning to make me feel sick. I REALLY didn't want to have to throw up on the side of the road. I was doing my best to keep it down in my stomach and think to myself, mind over matter. I'm not sick. I'm not sick. I'm not sick.
I did almost get struck by one SUV on the PCH. My dad saw it too. The driver went into the runners lane and came so close to me that I felt the heat from the radiator (or whatever part of the engine that would be). It was a close one. The driver then swerved through the cones, back into the southbound lane.
I couldn't wait to get to mile 20. At mile 18, I hit the wall that I really thought I wouldn't hit. The forward moment felt nonexistent. No matter how much I tried to move my legs and push the pavement beneath me, it felt like my run was the pace of an elderly person. Just keep running, just keep running. I knew to push through the wall, so my thoughts were still positive. At this point, I had no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't finish. This was a certainty.
Mile marker 21 eventually came. The miles felt longer than they did on my training runs and I believe they actually were. I think my GPS may have been incorrect the entire time I was training. My application on my phone was calling out the miles about .6 of a mile early. This was not helpful. I prayed for the mile markers to appear more quickly. Then I realized I can't ask God to change science. A mile is a mile-- 5,280 feet no matter which way you cut it. So I then prayed to God to change my mental perspective to get me though the miles. Maybe they would FEEL like they were coming more quickly.
My parents and brother were there for pretty much each mile of the way from mile 10 on. This was a tremendous help. I don't know if I could have finished without them cheering me on. Some people I passed were crying from fatigue, most walked up the hills. My parents saw me at mile 22, I think this is when they said it was my last hill and that the rest was downhill. This was entirely inaccurate, but I appreciated their positive outlook on what an "uphill" is.
My dad was there at mile 24 and 25. I could see close to the end at mile 25, but I could also see another incline. I asked my dad if I had to go up the hill and he said that it wasn't really a hill. It was, and it stunk. It felt like only the last half mile or so was down hill to the finish. I had expected the last 2 miles to be downhill, but they weren't.
I managed to sprint, or what felt like a sprint, to the finish. Looking at the videos, it looks a little wobbly, but I just couldn't wait to be done.
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| Dad and Me at the Finish! |
It feels like a fleeting moment which I have no way of preserving other than my memories and photos. I guess I will just have to run another...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Racer 208!
Found out there were only 700 full marathoners running. Much smaller than I expected. The good news is my family should be able to spot me easier. The bad news is it'll be more obvious that ill be towards the end of the pack. Dear God, please don't let me finish in 700th place.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Race Dedication!
The race is only 2 days 11 hours away and I certainly have butterflies in my stomach!
Before my race, I wanted to dedicate it to my grandma, Gladys Dubin, and to my parents, Harvey and Marleen. Thank you so much for all the support you guys have given me. Thanks to Gram, who told me today, that if I didn't want to run the race, I could still change my mind and didn't have to. I still want to run this race, and I can't wait to conquer my goal.
Thanks to all my friends and family in advance and thank you to Stefhan and Lauren and Elise for being patient through my training runs and for picking me up and driving me home on my long runs. You guys are awesome!
Malibu or BUST!!!!
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| Mom, Dad and Me |
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| Gram and me |
Thanks to all my friends and family in advance and thank you to Stefhan and Lauren and Elise for being patient through my training runs and for picking me up and driving me home on my long runs. You guys are awesome!
Malibu or BUST!!!!
Monday, November 7, 2011
PSYCHE!!! Not my last post before the race!
Dearest friends,
That's right folks, I did it! I just signed up for the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. And out of all my friends, I want to challenge you to do it with me. If you are someone who thinks that they could never do it or could never run that far, but wants to be healthy and in great shape, then join me! We can run together and conquer it little by little! It won't be agonizing and you'll never feel like you're dying. I promise, if I can run the half marathon, you can too! Sign up as soon as you can, because once you sign up, there's no turning back. And I promise you, the half-marathon was soooo much fun!
Don't make me run it alone! Someone get some cajones and run with me!
Love,
Charli
That's right folks, I did it! I just signed up for the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. And out of all my friends, I want to challenge you to do it with me. If you are someone who thinks that they could never do it or could never run that far, but wants to be healthy and in great shape, then join me! We can run together and conquer it little by little! It won't be agonizing and you'll never feel like you're dying. I promise, if I can run the half marathon, you can too! Sign up as soon as you can, because once you sign up, there's no turning back. And I promise you, the half-marathon was soooo much fun!
Love,
Charli
T-Minus 5 days!
I ran my first long run in my new shoes two weeks ago, after my last post. I was actually pleasantly surprised, even with the half size bigger, the shoes still worked out great. I only suffered a few blisters on my big toe, nothing a little body-glide can't fix the day of the race. They are fancy blue too. Today I bought a matching colored tank-top so that it might be a little bit easier for my family to spot me. I almost bought a t-shirt the color of a traffic cone, but I really didn't need a t-shirt that hideously colored in my closet. I'm sure my family will spot me without the fluorescent orange!
I did manage a 23.25 mile run. It went surprisingly well. I cheated a little and sat in Stefhan's police car for five minutes while I chowed down a pop tart and orange gatorade. I promise it was no longer than five minutes though! The last three miles were uphill as usual. I wanted to continue the extra three miles to make it 26.2, but I figured I'd save the glory for Sunday.
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| Definitely not the best weather today. |
Thanks in advance to all my friends and family for supporting me during my running. I know that I have had to sacrifice some time spent together so that I could get my training runs in and I appreciate your help so much.
You probably won't hear from me until after the race. I only have 20 minute and 2 mile runs to do before race day. I can't believe it's been a year in the making. And I really can't believe how far I've come already. Before I started the marathon training, my longest run was 9 miles in the academy. Before that, my longest run was 4 miles. It's hard to believe what you can do when you put your mind to it. Now let's just hope my body can hold up for one more big long run!
Wish me luck!
Charli
Monday, October 24, 2011
New Shoes- Check! New Bra- Check! Body Glide- Check!
Fortunately for me, I got to go to Manhattan Beach at the end of September to see my new nephew, Sebastian. While visiting my brother and his wife, my mom and dad and I drove to Malibu to take a look at the course. We drove the 26.2 miles and I was exhausted just driving it, let alone running it.
The first 13 miles was all farmland and relatively flat. I don't know if it's my perspective or something, but it still felt like there was a slight incline. After the first half, we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway. The road was beautiful and high above the ocean. A little twisty in some spots and some rolling hills. It was all manageable until I saw mile 18. At mile 18, the real big rolling hills appeared before my eyes. They seemed pretty steep and long, but again, I hope that's just my perspective and that I'm just expecting the worst and hoping for the best. I'll be looking forward to the other side of the hill. With each big climb there is a descent on the other side, only to be met with another hill in front of me. The race has a large downhill finishing section, which will come as a relief. All of my training runs so far I have ended up running up hill to finish. I am hoping that this training pays off.
So far, my knees feel pretty good. They are no where near 100%, but I think they are good enough to get me through the race.
Today I ran by the Salt Lake Running Company and burned through some cash. I picked up a new pair of "race" shoes, some body glide, a new sports bra, and shorts. For the last two pairs of shoes, I ran in the exact same pair. Today, they didn't have a size 9 in the same pair, or the pair that are like them. So of course, I ended up buying the 9 1/2. This new pair has the same motion control for my over pronation, but has a little less cushioning and is a little bit lighter. I'm hoping the 9 1/2 will work out in my favor. There is a good chance that it may help with the blisters that I was still experiencing.
Tonight I have a 20 miler, which I believe will end up to be around 22.2 miles. I will try the new shoes out on this run. If they don't work, Salt Lake Running Company will be happy to take them back and I'll pick up the size 9 1/2 in my old pair that I was running in.
Fingers crossed tonight's run will go well. It's my last really big run before the race. I will back off on the mileage after tonight's run. Hallelujah!!!
Thanks for reading!
Charli
The first 13 miles was all farmland and relatively flat. I don't know if it's my perspective or something, but it still felt like there was a slight incline. After the first half, we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway. The road was beautiful and high above the ocean. A little twisty in some spots and some rolling hills. It was all manageable until I saw mile 18. At mile 18, the real big rolling hills appeared before my eyes. They seemed pretty steep and long, but again, I hope that's just my perspective and that I'm just expecting the worst and hoping for the best. I'll be looking forward to the other side of the hill. With each big climb there is a descent on the other side, only to be met with another hill in front of me. The race has a large downhill finishing section, which will come as a relief. All of my training runs so far I have ended up running up hill to finish. I am hoping that this training pays off.
So far, my knees feel pretty good. They are no where near 100%, but I think they are good enough to get me through the race.
Today I ran by the Salt Lake Running Company and burned through some cash. I picked up a new pair of "race" shoes, some body glide, a new sports bra, and shorts. For the last two pairs of shoes, I ran in the exact same pair. Today, they didn't have a size 9 in the same pair, or the pair that are like them. So of course, I ended up buying the 9 1/2. This new pair has the same motion control for my over pronation, but has a little less cushioning and is a little bit lighter. I'm hoping the 9 1/2 will work out in my favor. There is a good chance that it may help with the blisters that I was still experiencing.
Tonight I have a 20 miler, which I believe will end up to be around 22.2 miles. I will try the new shoes out on this run. If they don't work, Salt Lake Running Company will be happy to take them back and I'll pick up the size 9 1/2 in my old pair that I was running in.
Fingers crossed tonight's run will go well. It's my last really big run before the race. I will back off on the mileage after tonight's run. Hallelujah!!!
Thanks for reading!
Charli
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