Last Sunday, I ran the inaugural Rock CF Thumb Coast Marathon, my seventh full marathon. Here is my full race recap!

My alarm went off promptly at 4:05 a.m. I checked my Garmin and I actually got 6.5 hours of sleep (the most sleep I’ve ever had before a race). It was Daylight Saving Time, and I benefited from the extra hour of sleep. I had to double-check with a friend to confirm the current time, as I was concerned that my Garmin hadn’t updated yet. But, thankfully, it did! 

I gathered all my race essentials (gels, FlipBelt, headphones, sunglasses, bib, etc.) and got dressed into my shorts and race tank.

There is something spiritual about race morning; most of the world is still asleep and it’s just you and your thoughts. Feeling rested and ready to go, I made my usual pre-race meal: three eggs and two pieces of toast with peanut butter. I eat this three hours before the start of the race. Then, I eat two bananas two hours before race time. While I was eating, I repeated positive thoughts to myself: I am going to PR. I am going to do the best I can. I am going to go out and have fun and be happy with my result regardless of the time on the clock, but, I am going to PR! I really manifested a PR and knew I could do it. I was sober and well -trained. I double checked my race pacing strategy and wrote my goal paces on my hand in permanent marker. Yes, I know I can use a pace band but for some reason, I like writing it on my hand.

I was staying at an Air Bnb in Port Austin, Michigan, several feet away from the finish line. I made the 20 mile drive to Caseville and played some pump up jams on the drive. I got to the starting line around 6:40 a.m. in plenty of time to get ready and use the porta potties. I put on my robe and sweat pants so I wouldn’t get too cold. It was around 38 degrees and I didn’t want to freeze. I did my pre race stretches and took a GU gel with caffeine 30 minutes before race time. While in line to start, another runner was asking everyone what their goal times were. I said “anything faster than 3:54:14 (my previous PR). And, he said “Today has perfect weather for running and today is a great day to go after your dreams.” I got goosebumps! I was so ready for the challenge of 26.2 miles.

It was about 38 degrees at the start. I had on arm sleeves, gloves, a headband, a race buff, and a tank top and shorts. When we started, I was afraid my legs would be too cold, but they never really were!

I ran the first few miles at around an 8:50/8:55 per mile pace. Everything was feeling good and I kept that pace up for a while. The course was along M-25, right off of Lake Huron. After the first few miles, I was able to see sprawling views of the dark blue waters of Lake Huron, lined with trees that were fully blooming in their red, orange, and yellow fall colors. Each mile, I asked myself (like my coach recommended), “is this pace sustainable?”

I was still running 8:50-8:55’s and had a few 8:45’s in there, but made sure I reeled myself in. I didn’t want to go out too fast. I’ve done that before, and it is NOT smart. Some people were passing me, but I knew better than to burn all my energy in the first 13 miles. At the half marathon mark (13.1) I felt phenomenal. No pain. No fatigue. My hydration and fueling plan was working. Which, I was thankful for. I actually forgot my water bottle that goes into my FlipBelt, which stressed me out so much the day before the race. How could I forget the most important race essential!? But, during the race, I carried packs of Liquid IV and quickly added that to the water at the water stops and it was working!

At mile 14 (not to be TMI) I HAD to go to the bathroom. I was praying for a porta potty but I didn’t pass one until I ran by a roadside park that had one. I was mad that I had to stop, but it is better than the alternative. After that, I sped up and ran an 8:20 min mile to make up for the time I lost. I was still feeling great and ran several 8:45 min miles. I was of course doing runner math and I realized I was still on track for a personal record. I pushed things a little but after mile 22 and I was still feeling pretty good. No pain and I wasn’t bottoming out! I kept pushing and once I reached mile 25, I flew. I was so close to getting a PR and I didn’t have any time to spare. I saw mile 26 and rounded the corner to the last .2. I cried and felt overwhelming gratitude.

This is the time during the race when I get the most emotional. All my training led to this very moment!

Right when I finished, I knew I PRed, but I didn’t know what my exact finish time was. When I got my medal, I couldn’t help crying and yelling out “ I PRed!!!!”

I checked my official time, and I finished in 3:52:32! A PR by over a minute and a half! A year ago, I didn’t think this was possible. Hell, 5 months ago, I didn’t think this was possible. I almost gave up on running marathons because they were getting too hard to train for.  Here I am, in grad school trying to run marathons. I thought it was impossible. But, back then, I was still getting high, too. When I got sober, I knew I could still chase down my dreams. Anything was possible.

When I finished, I realized running and training for a marathon while in grad school was not only possible, but I could be even faster than I was before because I wasn’t filling up my lungs with weed. I almost gave up on my dream, and I am glad I didn’t. Running makes me a better person. Training for a marathon gives me the structure I need in my life!

The last five months have been all about new beginnings and new discoveries within myself. I have learned so much in the last five months while training for this marathon.

I learned that getting high before, during or after runs, was NOT for me. I also learned how to love myself and be confident in my abilities (on the run and in life). I honestly am not the same person I was five months ago. The old Patti is dead and gone.

Now, instead of getting high, I am riding the high of a marathon PR!

After the race, my first meal was lobster and shrimp over rice. I felt like a queen eating this fantastic meal!

I must say, I love running Rock CF races! And, they have the coolest swag!