On November 16th, 2024 I ran the inaugural Every Woman’s Marathon & it was the best marathon I’ve ever run. The entire weekend was incredible! Don’t miss part 1 of my Every Woman’s Marathon recap where I talk about the pre-race activities & my lead up to the race.
Every Woman’s Marathon Race Report
In my hotel room at the Thompson, Savannah, my alarm went off at 4:50 AM and I felt terrible. I hadn’t been able to fall asleep until past midnight. After so many nights of great sleep, I woke up feeling exhausted. My Garmin was smart enough to exclude my sleep score in my morning report (I had programmed it to know that it was race day ) but I did notice it’s was terribly low, even though it thought i fell asleep at 9:30. My “readiness” score as also low, likely in part to the 17,000 steps I walked the day before. (I do not regret all these steps because it was such an incredible day but in retrospect, likely impacted my race).
I made my coffee, ate 1/2 bagel with peanut butter & honey (I hoped to eat a whole bagel but honestly just couldn’t & with the race being just 2 hours away I think this was OK), and a whole banana. I had 1 cup of tart cherry juice as well.
I knew I needed to shift my mindset immediately. I took a warm shower and then did some mental prep. I told myself that the sleep the before a race doesn’t matter (before the Catalina 50K I also barely slept and did great). I went through my training quickly and pumped myself up. I was able to have one productive bathroom visit before heading downstairs at 6 AM.
Down in the lobby, I met up with Colleen, one of the new friends from the shuttle, and also met a new friend – Kelley, who I ended up chatting with the entire walk over to the start. The start was nearly a mile from the hotel but went quickly. The weather had cooperated and it was in the low 50s, though I didn’t feel too cold. There were no lines for the (PINK) port-o-potties, though I didn’t really have to go, I went twice before the race. We met up with Kacy & the 3 of us chatted while we waited then used the bathrooms one more time.
I had started my period the day before, which although sounds crazy, I was actually happy about since hormonally the worst time to race is right before your period starts. So even though it wasn’t ideal to be ON my period it was better than PMS. After the 2 unproductive bathroom visits (I usually have to go at least twice due to nerves…), I made peace with the fact that like my last 3 marathons, I probably would have to stop during the race to go….but spoiler alert…. I didn’t!!! So my lower fiber carb loading and maybe my pelvic floor PT have helped and that is one of my big wins from the day. No bathroom breaks the entire marathon.
Kelley and I went to the first corral together. The first corral was for runners under 4 hours. Since there were very few men in this race, & it was advertised with a 7 hour cutoff, this race did not attract a lot of people trying to run BQs, etc. So for the first time ever, I was in corral 1 of a marathon, and only about 8 rows back from the front.
Again, the event blew me away by having all of the elite & legendary runners there at the start, but by having Kathrine Switzer share an inspiring message. They also played the recording of the incredible poem written by Amanda Gorman that was written for the race. I got emotional again thinking about how meaningful this race is and how happy I was to be there.
When I crossed the start line, I felt excited and confident. I’ve never felt so sure about my ability to cover 26.2 miles before. But I also wasn’t 100% sure I could run my PR and BQ. I know that this lack of belief, or feeling of being “on the cusp” did not help later in the race. But when I started, I KNEW I would finish and I KNEW I would enjoy the experience. I had decided those 2 things.
The first mile was the hilliest of all of them, with a freeway overpass about a 1/2 mile in. Living in San Diego, this hill was not a challenge. But I know that others have said the race was hillier than they imagined (total elevation 360 feet). The hill actually helped me keep my pace down. My coach had told me to average no faster than 8:15 for the first 5K. The first mile was 8:24.
I rarely feel incredible in the first couple miles of a race. So although my legs didn’t feel fresh, I kept telling myself that it was a warm up. Miles 2 & 3 were through some commercial and residential areas, but not a lot of spectators yet. I was listening to conversations of runners around me (a lot more talking than usual amongst the runners) and soaking in every single spectator – although there weren’t many in this section, they cheered for EVERY runner. Sometimes in races I do, especially in California, there will be spectators there to see one runner and won’t cheer for everyone. Not in Savannah – these spectators were awesome!
I was right on track though the 5K with my average pace, though I ran mile 3 a little faster than planned. The next miles were the BEST part of the race – even though there were a million turns, I enjoyed looping back and forth through the streets because they were packed with either spectators or runners going the other direction.
During miles 4, 5 and 6, there were a ton of spectators and several parts where we got to see the other runners. And guess who was in the first big bunch of spectators – JEN!!! I didn’t see her at first, I just heard my name and then broke out into a huge grin when I saw her.
I think I ran this entire 3 miles with the biggest grin on my face!!! I was smiling ear to ear! I made eye contacts and smiled with spectators, I thanked them for being there, I cheered for the runners on the other side of the road, first the faster ones (including the leader who thanked me!) and the ones who were behind me on the way back. there were a few run coaches out there who commented that I looked strong or gave coaching “relax your shoulders” “make sure you’re fueling”. Unsurprisingly, my fastest mile was here – 7:57.
At mile 8, while we were running down what appeared to be the main “downtown” of Savannah, I saw Kathrine Switzer on the side of the road and moved over to give her a huge high five. I also punched a sign with a photo of a mushroom from Mario Brothers that said “Tap here for a boost” & zoomed away. I was so happy!!! I love crowds and people cheering – I get so much energy from it. Around this point, we were running down what felt like the main promenade/downtown of Savannah, which I had yet to see. Later we were running down a beautiful residential street lined with those signature live oak trees .
I remember thinking: this is the best marathon I’ve ever run. I’ve never had so much fun running a marathon.
However, my legs continued to feel tight and sore. It felt harder to get my turnover to the low 8s. My breathing was OK…though my HR was higher than I thought it should be.
Although I felt like I was giving it the same effort, the next couple miles were slower – in the mid/high 8s. My glutes, low back and hamstrings felt way more fatigued & tight than I felt like they should. This is when I started to think – well…. The PR is probably not going to happen, but I’m having fun & I love this marathon!!!
One thing I was doing very well was fueling – I had carried a plastic water bottle with 1 scoop of tailwind (carbs & electrolytes) and I was right on tracking taking my first Maurten gel at 20 min, then gels every 30 min after that. I had Huma gels as well as one apple Go Gel. I believe it was around this point I took my Maurten caffeinated – I spread it out over a couple miles so it wouldn’t all hit at once. Once I was done with the bottle after the 2nd gel, I tossed it in the trash.
I ran through the Girl Scout mile and high fived Girl Scouts – as a leader myself I loved seeing the girls out there! I kind of had stopped looking at my watch at this point, though my Garmin does announce my splits at each mile in my headphones.
Around this point we also ran past the finish line and started our way south. I had already seen my new friend Kelley on one of the out and backs, and based on our conversation about our goal times, I had a feeling she was going to catch up to me.
She did, around mile 11 & encouraged me to keep trying when I told her I was now running for fun. She asked “ Are you cramping, do you need electrolytes?” And I said no, “my legs are just really heavy and sore.” When I said it out loud, i thought about how lame that sounded. I’m not hurt, I’m not injured…my legs are just tired? That’s why I’m giving up on my goal.
So I picked it up for a bit, ran side by side with her for a few minutes, and even got a little ahead of her, but then my legs just didn’t feel like they could turn over. I tried to a few more mental tactics including one that involved a “I told you so” to someone who doubted me, but none of it worked. I did a body scan – my hip flexors, glutes, quads, calves all felt tight and heavy. I just didn’t feel good.
So I kept going. I made peace with letting the time go and decided that I really just wanted to make the best of this experience. I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could, even though I knew that my legs would get progressively more tired and that I was headed for pain, whether or not I actually pushed the pace or not.
And that’s what I did.
I waved to people. I smiled at the kids on the side lines. I high fived spectators. I yelled out encouragement to others. I thanked volunteers. I took my time in aid stations, eventually walking each one and savoring the taste of the water. I even said out loud” this is the best water I’ve ever tasted” (probably a sign of dehydration). I thought of things to be thankful for – the running community, Hollandia for choosing me to come here, my coach, my husband, even random things like my Garmin which I love. I thanked my body for being strong & being able to cover this distance.
One of my favorite parts of the second half was running through Savannah State University’s track where the band was playing in the stands. I didn’t pull my phone out much during the race, but I pulled it out to record a moment of joy as a I ran around the track.
The next section was a loop through the campus, which was beautiful. The sun was out all morning and now the temperature was warming up. This is where I started to take walk breaks and also where I realized the walking didn’t really make my legs or my low back (which was increasingly tight and sore) feel all that better – but they did slightly change the pressure.
During one such walk break, around mile 19, a couple of women came up behind me and encouraged me: “Come run with us!” I was so excited to have some company. I started running with them. she asked “do you have a time goal?” And I said “I did, but it’s long gone. Just trying to finish now.” She said “us too” and explained that they were walking the water stops. We chatted for the next mile, and then started the section that is on the highway. At this point, they were naturally pulling ahead, and I decided to let them go.
I was eager to get more water and worried when we entered the highway that there wouldn’t be any water for 2 more miles. I was very thirsty & I assumed the highway was in full sun. Luckily the first 1/2 mile or so of the 2 mile stretch on the highway was partially shaded. I kept taking my walk breaks and at one point even stopped to stretch my legs and back against the medal median on the side of the road.
One of the things I loved about this race was how encouraging the OTHER runners were – cheering for one another, encouraging them, chatting. The last 2 marathons I did were Revel races where there are no spectators and most people are there to race and no one wants to talk. But this race felt dramatically different and I really appreciated it.
I love to compete but I also LOVE the running community & when your “A” goal goes out the window, its hard not to go to a dark place when you’re alone on a highway surrounded by people who don’t want to talk. Instead of feeling ashamed that is as being passed by so many people, I actually felt really encouraged and inspired by every woman around me.
The highway DID have a water station and also a DJ who was encouraging us through the speakers – and the speakers were placed way down the road so you could hear it for quite some time!
Once we were off the highway at mile 22 I knew we were in the home stretch! The roads were beautiful again – oftentimes shaded by the big trees with hanging branches. There were a few more loops and out and backs to encourage other runners and I starting giving self pep talks about running and not walking, using little mile stones like the next street or a sign. Then I made a goal to only walk through the aid stations, which also helped me stay focused. My legs were SO stiff and tight and sore, but I KNEW I could finish. I just have to keep going!
During one of the final loops through a residential neighborhood I grabbed an orange slice from a local woman and then an older woman ran up next to me. She said “slowest 10K ever” and I said ‘Me too” and she said “haha I meant just me”. Then I said “but we’re going to finish a marathon today!!!” And she said “yes we are!!” I felt connected to her through our shared disappointment, struggle & perseverance.
I had pretty much stopped thinking about any time goals, but as I started mile 25, I realized I could still run under 4 hours if I ran around a 9ish minute mile. I had slowed down to 10-11 minute miles at this point, alternating walking and running. I was by no means racing anymore, I was simply running to the finish. But with that new sub 4 goal, I went for it. I admit, I was half relieved to discover I couldn’t run in the 8s – as if it confirmed to me that my legs WERE as tired as they felt and it wasn’t all mental. But I was able to get a solid 9 minute mile at mile 26. And I did – running a 9:13 at mile 26.
As the finish line neared, I knew I had to give it my all to finish and picked up the pace, sprinting through the finish line with my hands held high, tears in my eyes, feeling happy to have completed another marathon. I finish 25 minutes slower than my goal, with a 3:58:47, but I was VERY proud.
And guess who was there at the finish line? Well, Kathrine Switzer of course. We took a photo and I thanked her for her bravery and activism.
When I found Jen, she was worried I would be really sad, disappointed or maybe even injured, but I told her with a smile on my face that I had the best time. It may not have been fastest time (in fact my 3rd slowest), but it was my most joyful.
In the 24 hours after the race I had more time to process how I truly felt about the fact that I did NOT give this race my 100% effort. I had said going into the race that my goal was to BQ and PR, and that even if that didn’t happen, I’d be satisfied as long as I gave it my all.
The truth is, this was my all on that day. My all was my heart, my joy, my appreciation for the sport.
This marathon helped connect me to the running community more deeply and to my passion for coaching, inspiring and guiding others runners.
Giving something you’re all doesn’t have to mean that you gave it your full physical effort. Sometimes you have a race that teaches you a lesson you really needed. And Every Woman’s Marathon reminded me that I love running for many more reasons than PRs or spots at the Boston Marathon.
When we returned to the finish line around the 6:30 mark to watch one of Jen’s athletes finish, I watched a woman approach the finish line and yell out with pure joy, ‘I’M GOING TO DO IT” tears in her eyes & a look of pure, unadulterated pride in her smile. I knew she was about to do something that she never believed she could do and I got the privilege to watch her do it.
THAT is what marathons are all about.
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