Race Reports

City of Oaks Marathon
November 6, 2011
Raleigh, NC
Jennifer Gospodarek

First off, we couldn't have asked for better weather! I tried to meet up with Amanda and Sarah, but the crowd was very dense and it just didn't work out. Luckily I found someone to start with. We ended up near the 4:30 pacers which was a little crazy, but the crowd was so thick, we just went with the flow. We had to skip the first 3 walk breaks, because we would have been trampled otherwise. Once the crowd thinned out, we backed off the pace a little and the 4:30 pacers were out of sight quickly. We maintained a 10:30 pace until we reached the hills of Ebenezer church. The hills weren't steep, but they just kept going and going.... We slowed down the pace a bit and chugged along. My family was waiting to cheer me on near the entrance to Umstead, so that kept me moving. I dropped my running partner at about mile 15 and just enjoyed watching the people and trees around me. I saw my family at 16.5 miles, kissed my kids and got a new burst of energy. For the first mile inside Umstead, I ran with someone doing the relay. I was able to keep up just fine while we were going downhill, but when we reached the uphill part, I continued on my own. I played leap frog with several folks as I did run/walk and they ran. I thought all the people who were trying to just run looked exhausted. Run/walk was definitely the only way I could have made it through those hills. At about mile 21 my legs started cramping so I walked a little extra and started drinking Accellerade at the water stops. The cramps let up, so I got back on my run/walk schedule. I kept thinking that I would try to run the rest of the way in, but I gave in everytime my watch beeped for a walk break. I did finally stick with the run for about the last mile and finished feeling good. I had really wanted to finish in less than 5 hours and I was so happy to accomplish that!

My favorite parts about the race were all the people cheering on the runners. Since names were printed on the bibs, people were able to cheer me on by name. It was so exciting every time I heard someone say 'Go Jennifer!'. I liked all the cow bells and noise makers too :).

City of Oaks was a killer marathon for my first, but I think I would do it again. I think I'll try a flatter course next time though!