There is no need to bury the lead; the Surf City Marathon went well!

I did not beat my best time, 3:09, but that was never a consideration during the ramp up for this race. I simply wanted to prepare for it properly, snag a Boston qualifying time, (sub 3:30 to ensure enough of a buffer to actually get into the race), and utilize the fitness I had built during training to the best of my ability on race day. I am pleased to report that it was an effort that felt wonderful, exciting, exhausting, occasionally uncomfortable, but ultimately satisfying. I earned the chance to race Boston again, I executed nearly consistent pacing, (not perfect), and most of all after three difficult years of injuries and disappointing races, I now feel relieved and renewed to keep pursuing new limits of endurance.

Up next, the details of how Marathon #58 all went down!

Miles 1-15

The temps were in the mid 40’s at the very early hour of 6:30A when the Marathon kicked off. Instead of running the first mile or so in a throw-away top layer (like I have done for decades) I tossed the thin long-sleeved shirt I bought the night before at Kohls into the trash right after the Star Spangled was sung, mere seconds away from running across the line, still cold, but warm enough.

The first couple of miles are a deceiving false-flat heading north on Pacific Coast Highway. I’d run the stretch a handful of times, so I was not surprised. My goal pace was 7:20-7:25 for as long as I could hold it. I knew there would be some miles above and below that mark due to elevation change, and that I would most likely slow down during the latter miles of the race, (miles eighteen on are always a struggle), so I just got into a groove and cruised up the coast.

**Mile 3ish, AKA still too early for sunglasses.**

The course turned off into some neighborhoods and a park for miles 4-8, and mile 9 was a climb uphill the ENTIRE length of the mile. I tucked in with the 3:15 pacing group through the park, but by top of the hill, the group had exploded, so I charged down mile 10 toward the ocean solo.

I dodged runners, enjoyed the gifted speed, and shared a few insights with a fellow female runner about a gap in aid stations between miles 15 - 19 that I learned about the hard way during the sweltering conditions back in September. This woman had a beautiful stride, and didn’t look a day over 35, so I had zero qualms helping her out; if I was competing for any prize, it was the Master’s title.

I felt comfortable in my skin, and +5lbs. heavier frame, happily aware of what I had already lived through, and what my legs, heart, and mind had accomplished across the previous 57 marathons I had finished, completely content with the fact that this race was just about enjoyment and execution.

I remained at a steady 7:24 min. mile pace along the historically annoying 4-5 mile out and back section on PCH toward Seal Beach Blvd, hitting the half-way mark at mile 13.1 in 1:36 hrs.

Mile 14 was decent, too, but my pace crept up to 7:36, and I knew from that point on the focus would be to push off slowing down for as long as possible.

Miles 15-20

Thankfully, my energy never waned. I was on top of my fueling, I ate a GU Roctane gel every 6.5 miles, and drank water or NUUN at every aid station, but my throbbing hamstrings were a not-so subtle reminder that I was mortal, and that I couldn’t quite maintain the projected pacing for as long as I wanted to.

Next, I ran through miles 15-17 south on PCH shrouded with the calm acceptance that Marathons are hard, long, and reward measured, cool runners that adapt as they go, rather than passionate amateurs who don’t comprehend the demands required to race over twenty-six miles.

*I finally read that memo during my twenty-fourth Marathon, but I still need a refresher every other dozen or so.*

The course dipped down to the beach strand parallel to PCH just before mile 17. At this point I knew my goal pace was long gone, but with plenty of clock left to finish under 3:30 hrs., my priority switched to simply staying under 8:00 min. mi. pace through 20 miles.

It was a slog, but I did it.

Miles 21 - 26.2

Honestly, I felt pretty good the entire back stretch on the strand heading south toward Huntington Beach pier. I picked up my pace a little, but the sneaky hills Mother Nature dropped on the course along miles 24-25 were not very helpful in acknowledging any sort of speed increase, so I just enjoyed the ocean view while running as fast as I could toward the finish line.

**That, "I finally ran a GOOD race" feeling!!**

Thankfully, I had plenty of oomph left to run down vs. stagger across the finish line in 3:23 hrs., far from my personal best, but twenty minutes faster than I ran in September, and bang on the mark for how I was running ten years ago, so this Master’s runner was thrilled!

**The moment I saw my friend, Lynne Fiedler, after crossing the finish line.**

The absolute highlight of the day was seeing my great friend, teammate, and OUTSTANDING runner, Lynne Fiedler, just after crossing the finish line. Lynne is such a HUGE inspiration to me, and to have her witness my demise during the LA Marathon two years ago was one of the most devastating moments of my life, so to see her smiling and cheering for me right after I finished this marathon was the most uplifting part of the day.

**Lynne ran a 1:34 half-marathon at the spritely age of 59. Photo credit: Lynne Fiedler.**

I was quickly swallowed up by Lynne’s amazing friends and savored every second of shared challenge and camaraderie.

**Lynne's incredible friends!! Photo Credit: Leslie Cohen.**

A few minutes later we met up with our speedster teammates, Meghan Grant and Alex Watt who both smoked the Half-Marathon course.

**From Left: your truly, Jenn Aronson, Lynne Fiedler, Lynne Caraway, Meghan Grant, Alex Watt. Photo Credit: Lynne Fiedler.**

After we stopped to look up the race results, I excused myself to keep walking down the strand toward my Jeep in order to keep my marathon legs in motion. Plus, after spending Saturday night at a hotel due to the very early start time, I really missed Marion, and wanted to drive back home as soon as possible.

**Meeting my new running friend, and Smashfest Queen fan, Mindy Himmel on route to my Jeep.**

However, while sauntering solo on the strand, I made six new friends! Four ladies who were all seasoned runners, and two young men (who were maybe in their early twenties) beaming after finishing their very first Half-Marathon.

It meant the world to me to cap off another race weekend cherishing familiar and making new connections by spreading my overzealous joy and enthusiasm for the Marathon, an event that after twenty years, and 58 dates, (including many that did not go well), is still number one in my heart.

Next up, triathlon season. :)

Before I send you off with the song and video of the week, I want to share the recipe for my race-tested and APPROVED Vegan Pancake recipe:

1 Cup of Yams - (Boil, then mash)

1 Cup of Gluten-Free Flour (All-Purpose is fine, too)

¼ Cup of Almond Flour

10-12 Raw Almonds Minced

1 Banana

1 Cup of Coconut Milk (Any nut milk/juice will do)

A few dashes of Cinnamon

Earth Balance Plant-Based butter (enough to grease the pan)

Finally, the song and video choice this week might be a surprise, but it captures how I feel about my first endurance love. Enjoy.:)