Phoenix Marathon PR and BQ!

Phoenix Marathon Race Recap 🏃🏼‍♀️🏅🏁
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My alarm went off at 3:30am. I felt tired but ready! Today was the day! All the work put in for this one chance to race a personal best marathon! Breakfast was oatmeal and a @g2gbar Bar and drank my @idealfitBCAAs. Trevor and I rode the bus to the top with our friends @ahappypace @ashkickn1and @tamarynnleigh with us. We did some dynamic stretching and decided to start 5 mins after the mass start. It was so much more relaxing! I hugged Tam and coach Ash (who told me to go get it and stay ahead of the 3:25 pace!) and I kissed Trevor and we were off! .
My first few miles were fast, at least for me for a marathon. My first mile was a 6:54 which normally would scare me but my training had been good so knowing that I felt so good and that the first part of the course was more downhill I knew I might need to bank a little bit of time. Phoenix is a + split course.
Miles 2,3,4 were 7:12, 7:25, 7:11. I was feeling good! The next 2 Miles were up hill and I knew I would be closer to an 8 min mile, I hit 5 at 7:55 and mile 6 at an 8:10. Made it up the hill and took a salt pill and a GU @guenergylabs Still feeling strong! Miles 7-13 were coasting down hill again, and I held a 7:38 average.
At the half (1:38)I timed another salt pill, and another GU. I was feeling great still! Ok now it’s crunch time! I wanted to run this race smart and stay strong as the course flattened out. I knew my 2nd half mile splits wouldn’t be as fast now but that was ok. Miles 13-18 I held a 7:50 average and a little fatigued, so I took some @clifbar shot blocks at 18 which helped! The course flattened and my pace dropped a little more as expected. Miles 18-23 I was around an 8:08 average and was tired but never hit the wall. I took another GU at mile 21 and salt pill. Last 5k to go. I wanted this bad! Doing the math in my head, I knew if I held strong 8 or under pace I could get under 3:25. 8:01, 8:02, last mile left, I saw @ashkickn1 I pushed hard and ran the last mile at 7:49 and kicked it to the finish line! I crossed the finish line smiling and hoped my watch said what I wanted it to. In disbelief I saw a 3:23!! All the Tears!😭 

I saw coach Ash @ahappypace waiting at the finish line and we hugged laughing and crying! She PRd and ran a 3:18! We were both so elated! It was the best moment getting to share this moment with my friend and coach. She has been such a huge part of this journey this year and I couldn’t have done with without her! I couldn’t believe I held a 7:46 average the whole race! I’m so proud! I fought hard for this race and I left all I had on the course and ran it smart. My first marathon was a 4:35 so to bring it down to a 3:23 feels unreal. Never underestimate the value of hard work, persistence and patience 🏃🏼‍♀️🏅💪🏻 I felt good the whole day and my nutrition was right on and my training set me up for an amazing race and it was! I’m thrilled! Marathon 16 was one for the books! Then we watched @tamarynnleigh finish and Trevor after. Speedy @ashkickn got second overall female and crushed it! I’m so proud of everyone that ran and all of my friends that raced so well! It was an amazing weekend!! 🎉🎉🎉

XOXO - Heather