However, this marathon proved to be more than just beautiful terrain, but a very difficult course.
In the weeks prior to the race I saw my speed drastically improving so I was optimistic about setting a new marathon PR (personal record) but after arriving in Sedona I had to ask myself if that was really possible. The altitude was higher and the air thinner. The day before the race I decided to see what last year's finishing time was and realized this race has always been won at around 3 hours. For mortals like me that is lightning fast, but on a typical course that time is a laugh for high caliber runners. But this was not a typical course. The morning of the race I had been told by another runner that one should add 30/40 min to their PR time to figure out how long it would take them to do Sedona. He was right. But I was going to asses the whole thing once the race got underway to see what I would do.
Race morning came and I was having two problems. My bowls were not co-operating like they usually do and I was very tired due to not having been able to sleep well in the hotel for the past two nights. But I was determined not to let that hinder my run.
Parking for the race was a bit of a mess. The parking area was so far from the starting line that it took us 15 min to walk there so by the time I got to the starting area I had less than 10 min. until start time. It was brisk and many runners were dressed to the hilt in gloves, beanies, jackets, etc. I knew though that once this race started it would get warm fast. I stripped down to my sleeveless tech shirt, compression shorts, and running hat. Because this race was low key there was no horn, gun or such to start the race. Instead they had the crowd count down. I have to say, I loved the fact that this was a very small marathon with only 150ish runners. It gave it the feel of an ultra.
As we began the race I made my way through the crowd until I was in my pace group. The first six miles were thrilling. It was cold and felt good. The only problem was that for an asthmatic in thin cold air you tend to have a bit of a breathing problem, but it was never enough to make my break out my inhaler. This was a hilly course and I planned on using those downhills to my advantage. At one point I think I scared a runner when I can swooping up from behind on a decline that was fast enough for me to have to get up on my toes. In fact, I glanced at my Garmin and saw a pace of 5:30ish! What was I doing going that fast!
But on the sixth mile, as the course began to turn direction something became clear, this would not be a PR marathon. The wind was at our backs going out to the turn around . . . To the harder section of the course. That meant that it would be against us coming back. When mile 7 ended were on the trail. It was not technical by any means. I have run many mountain trails and this did not compare with them. However, when running a marathon there is an idea that you a suppose to go fast but these pesky rocks underfoot were making that a issue.
By the time I hit mile 11 it struck me that I had not seen the lead runners on their way back yet. And then one emerged. He looked beat. And eventually, staggered with lots of space between them, more came up the trail. They all had that exhausted look. Wow, that's not good when you still have half the race to go. From that point the course took a two mile dip and declined. All you could think was about having to run back up this thing. And back up it we went as we made the sharp (too sharp) turn around. And as soon as you started up there it was to meet you . . the wind. And it was not a nice wind.
For the next 7 miles I saw something I have never seen before on a marathon. Good runners were walking! It was almost as if someone moved the "wall" up to the 14 mile mark! Runners we looking beat. By this time I gave up on a PR so I switched into ultra runner mode and thought of this whole thing as a good training run. I was able to pass up a good little number of runners because when they went to walking I still ran uphill at a slow pace. Eventually my fast pace at the start of the race caught up with me on the last 3 miles and I too had to do a little walking. I made a comment to one of the water station workers that if I had known I was going to end up going this slow I would have brought my camera. The views were awesome! The race ending was not so spectacular but what made it special was that directly behind the finish line and in front of me as I ran towards it was a set of bleachers and as I ran towards the finish line I could see my little girl and wife sitting and waiting for me. I waved to them as I came across and my little girl smiled and waved back. That was the first time any of my kids have ever seen me finish a race.
Within 10 min of crossing the finish line I was laying down on a massage table and getting the knots worked out. Wow, that felt great! That was the first time I have had a finish line massage.
So, some final thoughts on the Sedona Marathon:
1. Don't expect to set a marathon PR there. It is not your typical marathon. If you come in under 4 hours you are a rock star.
2. What is up with the Pink Jeeps driving all around the course whipping up the dust! I know they are sponsors but come on! Lol
3. Take a camera. Take pics. Have fun. Enjoy the run.
4. Put a road runner on a trail and he is still a road runner. You trail runners out there will get that one.
5. I was completely shocked at the amount of litter my fellow runners left on the trail and streets. You would figure that with such a beautiful and pristine environment they would think more about throwing down that energy gel packet but nope. I was embarrassed for them.
6. The medal is cool. It is a four part medal and this year was the first year to get the first part. So I have to go back for 3 more years if I want the rest of it. However, each part is a complete medal and looks good alone. Great marketing.
7. Love the tech shirt from the run! It is a burnt orange that resembles the red rock of the area and does not have lettering covering the whole thing. Very comfy.
As you can guess, I will be going back next year for another shirt, another piece of that medal, the views, and with a camera.
