My First Marathon aka race recap: Honolulu Marathon

When I first start running consistently in 2011, I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would someday complete a marathon. The idea of run 26.2 miles was daunting to say the least and I felt that women like me don't do marathons (plus size and slow.) Thanks to an increase in plus size/fat role models in the running world such at Latoya Shauntay Snell (aka runningfatchef,) Mirna Valerio (aka the mirnavator,) Martinus Evans (aka 300poundsandrunning,) Jill Angie (aka not your average runner) and other, they inspired me to tackle the challenge of completing a marathon!     

Below are photos from the marathon expo, race day, while on the race course as well as post race and finisher expo photos. If you're someone planning to check complete a marathon off your bucket list, I can't recommend this race highly enough. There is no course time limit so you can take as long as you need to complete the distance. I finished the marathon in 8:51:26 however the marathon course stays open until the very last person finishes which were two participants from Japan who finished in 17 hours.  

 

 

 

The race course was beautiful and the course support staff where friendly and helpful. I enjoyed that I could take my time to fully take in all the sights and sounds of Honolulu. The aloha spirit was definitely in full effort on race day.

 

 


After completing the marathon, finishers were given a shell necklace as well as the medal. On the following day, finishers had the opportunity to pick up their official finisher certificates as well as have the certificate laminated and framed.I am so happy to be able to check this off my bucket list as well as having completed my big running goal for the year of completing a marathon.This was absolutely the best way to end my 2019 year of running!

 
 

Bakersfield Half Marathon Race Recap

I recently completed my last half  marathon for the year which was the Bakersfield 1/2 Marathon in Bakersfield, California on November 17th. The course was fairly flat and the community support while running the race was top notch. Below are photos from before the race, at the start line, after the race and a final photo of the race medal.

Me before the start of the race

Bakersfield 1/2 Marathon Starting Line

Me after the half marathon

Me and online Facebook friend meet in real life

Me at booth after half marathon

Bakersfield 1/2 Marathon Medal

Race Recap: Rock N Roll San Jose Half Marathon

This past Sunday, I completed my third Rock N Roll half marathon for the year in San Jose. This was a special race for me because I also had the opportunity to run with my friend/play cousin Martinus aka 300 pounds and running. It was fun vising the expo, pointing out my name on the list of women running the half marathon and seeing Martinus represent the Oakland Marathon as a race ambassador.

 

 

The morning of race day was exciting as well as daunting since this was going to be the first time I was planning to complete a race using walk run intervals. Although me and Martinus discussed running a 90/30 (90 seconds running and 30 seconds walking,) after completing this interval once, we decided to instead run a 60/60 (60 seconds running and 60 seconds walking.) Unfortunately, I chose to run to fast during the 60 second running intervals so I burned out by mile 10 while Martinus stuck with a steady 60 second run and 60 second walk and was able to finish 3 minutes ahead of me so he finished in 3:23:42 while I finished in 3:25:19.It was a great race that I'll definitely do again and from now on, I'm gonna follow the run/walk intervals to a tee and focus on being steady while I run versus expending all my energy before the race is over.