Hi everyone! I shared some photos and details about my marathon on Instagram but wanted to share a more thorough update here on the blog. I started training for the Kansas City Marathon at the end of June and I ran the race this past Saturday. Boy am I glad it’s over! When I was pregnant I made the goal of running my 5th marathon before Jack turned one. Well, I made it with 2 weeks to spare.
As I mentioned in my last marathon training update (here), I missed 3 long runs in 4 weeks and I think that had a big impact on my race. My goal had been to finish between 3:35 and 3:40 and for the first 21 miles I was able to maintain a pace somewhere between 8:12 and 8:24 (the paces needed for 3:35 and 3:40 marathons, respectively). I felt light on my feet, my hip wasn’t bothering me too much, my stomach felt good…all was going well. Then the hills came. And they didn’t stop until the race was over. It honestly felt like the last 8 or so miles were all up hill. I know they weren’t, but it sure felt that way. I just couldn’t keep up the pace and slowly but surely my goal time slipped out of my grasp.
I finally saw Jack and Tom at mile 24 and their “Go Mommy Go!” sign made me cry! I’ve never had anyone cheer for me with a sign before so I had no clue that I would get choked up. Ever since I was little I knew that one day I wanted to be a strong and healthy momma and a positive example for my children, and this big day finally came and the emotions were pretty overwhelming. My mother has always been such a wonderful role model for me and it’s important for me to be a good role model for Jack and his future sibling(s) too. I want him to see that hard work pays off, that fitness can be fun and that an active and healthy lifestyle makes everything more enjoyable. He was asleep in the stroller when I finished the race but I think he was proud of me anyway 🙂
I ended up finishing the race in 3:43:10 which was 3 minutes slower than my best marathon time of 3:40:12. It’s not exactly the outcome that I had hoped for, but considering that I’m not quite 12 months postpartum yet I’m really happy with my performance. I also just found out that I got 2nd place in my age group (out of 70), so that’s pretty exciting! Juggling being a new mom (and nursing), moving across the country, and training for a marathon was difficult to say the least, but I’m so proud that I was able to balance it all and accomplish such a big goal. Now it’s time to get back into cross training!
If you’d like to read any of my previous marathon training updates and postpartum fitness posts I’ve linked to them below:
That's a really good time Katie! I wish I could finish a marathon in 4 hours! My best time so far is still 4 hours and 9 minutes. By the way, you look great and Jack is such a cutie! He looks like a live Gerber baby lol -Elaine Hyres
Thanks Elaine! I know you'll break 4 sometime. It was such a mental thing for me and it's crazy how much time I dropped from marathon 2 to 3 (3:52 and 3:41) even though they were just about 4 weeks apart. I think I had a big mental shift and magically dropped so much time, it was crazy! Now I'm stuck at 3:40 and can't get into the 3:30s. Guess I need another mental shift and probably a more difficult training plan lol. And thank you! Jack is such a fun little guy and he melts my heart every time I look at him!
Congratulations Katie! It was so awesome to follow along on your blog and instagram and I know all your blog readers and insta-followers (including me!) were cheering you along as well! You continue to be such a blessing and encouragement 🙂 Keep doing what you are doing!
That's a really good time Katie! I wish I could finish a marathon in 4 hours! My best time so far is still 4 hours and 9 minutes. By the way, you look great and Jack is such a cutie! He looks like a live Gerber baby lol -Elaine Hyres
Thank you so much Ellie! You're so sweet for cheering me on! I love my little instagram community 🙂
Thanks Jennifer! So glad it's over!
Thanks Elaine! I know you'll break 4 sometime. It was such a mental thing for me and it's crazy how much time I dropped from marathon 2 to 3 (3:52 and 3:41) even though they were just about 4 weeks apart. I think I had a big mental shift and magically dropped so much time, it was crazy! Now I'm stuck at 3:40 and can't get into the 3:30s. Guess I need another mental shift and probably a more difficult training plan lol. And thank you! Jack is such a fun little guy and he melts my heart every time I look at him!
Awesome race!!!!
Congratulations Katie! It was so awesome to follow along on your blog and instagram and I know all your blog readers and insta-followers (including me!) were cheering you along as well! You continue to be such a blessing and encouragement 🙂 Keep doing what you are doing!