Race Report: RIM ROCK MARATHON

I ran my first ever marathon this month.

For my inaugural 26.2 miler, I selected Rim Rock Marathon, which goes up and along the famed 23 miles of Rim Rock Drive within Colorado National Monument. An intensely beautiful array of canyonlands and jagged desert landscapes, the Monument is situated just south of Grand Junction, CO. The event’s website proudly proclaims the race as “one of the most scenic races in the world;” I strongly agree with this assessment. “The Monument” as it is commonly referred to, was a favorite place of mine to hike and drive while I was in college. So it was only a matter of time that I would eventually want to run this particular stretch of road…

Pre-race Training

My 2018 running goal was to run a marathon. I have known about Rim Rock Run for three years now, when an acquaintance of mine ran the marathon in 2015 and 2016. By then I had long been bitten by the running bug, and aspired to eventually run Rim Rock.

Having run the Dreamcatcher Half in March, and the Leadville Heavy Half in June, I decided it was time to really pursue my goal of running a marathon. Training wise, I have to say I was quite casual: I ran 3-4 times a week, averaging about 30 miles. Not near the consistency and distance I ran in college, BUT my abbreviated mileage served me well: no injuries, no burnout. For anyone reading this who thinks they have to run/ train everyday to run a marathon: don’t do it! You’ll risk physically and mentally burning out. Recovery days are key.

Prior to this race, the furthest I ever ran was 16.36 miles; my long runs averaged about 13 miles. Rim Rock is all road, so I transitioned off trail and onto more road surfaces. Working full time, it can be a challenge to find time for long runs, but I did my best to squeeze in 1-2 long runs a week. I also hit the gym 2-3 times a week for strength training: lots of squats and lunges to strengthen my legs. Again, not the same consistency I weight trained in college, but I managed to avoid burn out.

There’s a strong assumption among runners training for a first marathon that you must run 26.2 miles before the actual event. However, many seasoned runners advise against this, as (once again) you increase your chances of injury. When you combine the cumulative effects of training with the added adrenaline of race day, you should be more than ready to complete 26.2 miles.

Race Day

Held the first Saturday of November, for this race I arrived in Grand Junction the day before, and picked up my packet at the Fruita Community Center. Later that evening I carbo loaded on spaghetti at Enzo’s, one of my favorite restaurants in Junction (I highly recommend!) That night I prepped and selected all my gear: race vest, clothes, socks, gu’s, gels, and stroop waffels. Given all my excitement for race day, I only slept about four hours, but it didn’t matter. When I woke up, I felt akin to a little kid on Christmas morning. I ready for the day.

After a brief pre-race meeting at 6:30 am back at Fruita Community Center, all marathoners, half-marathoners and relay racers were bussed to the west entrance of CNM, on the Grand Junction side. We all congregated at the parking lot outside Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club on Monument Road, just a mile outside the Monument entrance. The sun had not yet risen, so it was rather brisk out.

For this race, separate time chip pieces were provided, which you secured to your shoe with twist ties; this was my first time ever using this chip method. After one last check of my gear, I joined the other marathoners, about 80 total, on the road, for the start at 8am. Compared to all the races I’ve done, the start itself was very informal and old school: the Colorado Mesa University Track and Field coach lead the countdown to start. At his shout of “Go!” the race began.

The first mile to the park entrance is a gradual slope; it’s once inside the Monument that the real climb begins. As I was so focused during my race, I took very few pictures during the actual run; the few pics with blue sky were taken race day. The rest of the photos were taken the day after the race (Sunday, Nov 4, a cloudy day). But: I did also film the length of Rim Rock Drive while driving it that same Sunday, so you get a definitive idea of what the course is like.

For the race, the westbound lane of Rim Rock was closed and runners were asked to run on the right hand side of the lane. Traffic remained open on the eastbound side. The first 6 miles is all uphill with more than 2000 ft. of elevation gain: you don’t get to ease your way in with this race. But for me, after running Leadville, running uphill doesn’t intimidate me. In fact, I’m not lying when I say I love running uphill; it’s running downhill that I really do not prefer (more about that later…)

With plenty of twists and turns, the road climbs fast and steep. The sun by now had risen, and it was blue skies for the whole of the day. It was not quite warm enough yet for me to shed my lightweight shell and old CMU tennis sweats (for me, sweats keep me warmer than running leggings.) Underneath I wore my Leadville tank top, Brooks shorts, and Feetures Max Cushion socks. I had run aplenty in these clothes with zero issues (no rubbing, blistering, etc.) so I felt confident in my debut marathon attire. Shoes wise, I wore the Mizuno Wave Horizon, a support shoe with a hefty wave plate and plenty of cushion. As much as I love the feel of neutral running shoes, with how light weight they are, I do overpronate pretty badly, especially off my left foot. For the distance of 26.2 miles, I knew I could not risk fatiguing my left ankle, as I have a few times in both tennis and running. The Wave Horizon is by far the best and most comfortable support shoe I have found for my pronation: it stabilizes the inward roll of my ankles while providing plenty of firm cushion. If you’re a runner and have an Adidas running shoe with Boost cushion, you’ll know what I’m referring to.

But by far the most important and poignant item on me was my horse hair memorial bracelet. Made from the tail hair of my late horse Flash, the bracelet is my good luck piece. My horse goes where I go!

With this race you could shed layers along the way, via the gear check stations at each aid station. You simply provided your bib number to the CMU Track and XC athletes running gear check, and you were able to reclaim your belongings back at the finish, once the last runner had crossed the finish line. At the first station I took off my Saucony gloves, but my shell and sweats would remain on me until mile 19.6, adjacent to the Visitor Center.

Running wise, I was feeling great. For breakfast I had a Clif Bar and some stroopwafels, and plenty of water. In my racing vest I carried several Gu’s and more stroopwafels. Hydration wise I carried a small bottle in my vest, filled with a quarter of berry flavored Tailwind endurance powder. Every half hour to 45 minutes I’d have some gu or a bite of wafel, while sipping sporadically. At every aid station I always grabbed a water cup or two, to remain hydrated. The first cutoff point was Cold Shivers Point, approx. mile 4.5. Runners had to reach this point by 9:30am or they would be asked to stop running and be a DNF (did not finish). I reached this spot around 8:45am, so I was running at just under 6mph for the whole incline: I was cruising, and I’m not exaggerating in that running all that uphill felt incredibly easy—and FUN. 🙂 All my hill training more than paid off!

The course finally flattened out around mile 6. Given the distance of the race and the amount of runners, everyone spread out, so I was running practically alone from around mile 5. Running alone has never been an issue for me; in fact I relished having elbow room, unlike a 5k. I fully soaked in the beauty of the surroundings, and felt very relaxed. From this point till mile 19.5, I was in a Zen like state: very tranquil. Every once in a while I would catch up to a few runners, chat with them for a bit, before we all separated out again. It was a perfect Colorado day, clear sky, no wind. My wish for good weather had been granted.

Once I arrived at the aid station by the Visitor Center, mile 19.6, I finally felt physically fatigued. My knees had begun to feel sore around mile 16.5, but I had been able to ignore it. Not so anymore, and my ankles, particularly my troublesome left ankle, were whining in pain. From this aid station on began the long descent: more than 2000ft. elevation loss. I reached this aid station around 11:40am; the cut-off time for this point was 1:30pm, so I was doing just fine. After drinking more water and shedding my jacket and sweats, I embarked on the most painful part of the race. Looking down, I could observe just how much the road zigzagged down steeply into the valley. My first thought: Oh f#&%!

I tried to resume running at my normal pace, but my legs weren’t having it. From here to the finish I had to resort to alternating between jogging and walking. All this hobbling downhill is what killed my time; until then I had been on track for my most specific goal of finishing under 4.5 hours. Now I aimed for still finishing under 5 hours. The irony? I was actually faster running uphill than I was downhill.

Several runners passed me on the downhill as I painfully made my way. I will admit that I was feeling pretty irritated at both myself and the course; I knew running downhill wouldn’t be fun but I wasn’t expecting to be in such pain. I tried to get my energy back, to reclaim my Zen state, but no luck. I knew regardless I would finish the race, but sheer stubborness is what got to me finish within my (adjusted) desired time.

Finally I reached the west entrance of the Monument; the steepest descent was now behind me. It was now 2.5 miles into Fruita, where the finish line awaited. And guess what? More downhill! These miles were the most painful I’ve ever run. Running on the shoulder of westbound Broadway into town, the descent is gradual, but after 20+ miles of running, I was feeling pretty fed up. Looking at my Fitbit, I knew I’d be cutting it close. I jogged as best I could over the bridges spanning the Colorado River, then over I-70. The homestretch came into view: the short straightaway to Circle Park, where the finish line awaited. As I made the final turn, I could hear the shouts of encouragement from my friends Jamie and Yoli. I immediately spotted them right by the finish, and their cheers, accompanied by the ringing of the bell they had brought, sparked my final sprint to close out my first marathon!

Upon crossing the finish line I raised my arms in triumph. I had done it! After 4 hours and 54 minutes, I completed my first marathon, on certainly what is not the easiest of courses. My first feelings: relief and awe. A volunteer placed a finisher’s medal around my neck, and my friends walked over and we all hugged. Ladies: thank you for your all support! Seeing you by the finish line and hearing your cheers was the best feeling. 🙂

Shortly afterward we all went to Hot Tomato to eat pizza. I indulged in a basil mozzarella pizza. Afterwards followed a nap, and a nice shower. The rest of the day I felt like a zombie: physically tired, mentally drained, but very content. I even went to a Halloween party that very evening with Yoli and Jamie. There was all sorts of food: candy, macaroni, cake, dip, etc. I literally ate a bit of everything. The following day I drove Rim Rock, and as I sat in my car, cruising, even I thought: I was crazy enough to run all this? Thing is I DID…and I’m honestly tempted to do it AGAIN. I proved to myself that I can run a marathon, and one of the most challenging courses at that. Now I know what I can work on, such as more strength training and practice running downhill. But the thought that really keeps persisting in my head: what and when will be my next marathon?

~LMC