Race Recap: Tobacco Road Marathon

I collected state #17 in North Carolina this weekend when I ran the Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary, NC. This was definitely a bucket list race for me from before I even started marathoning.  This was just a half marathon I wanted to complete but then I started running the 50 states and I knew this would be my North Carolina race.  The entire time I was running I couldn’t believe I was actually running the race.

The only bad thing about this race was it happened on the day of the time change.  I had already lost an hour with the time zone change and then time changed so I lost another hour too.  No bueno but it wasn’t that big of deal.  Race morning, I arrived UBER early because I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find an Uber.  I arrived at the race at 6am and it didn’t start until 8am.  I did like they had water and fruit available for us to eat pre-race.  More races should do that.

Almost time for Tobacco Road marathon. Time to capture state 17 on the quest. See you at the finish line. #instarunner #teamhealthykids #teamnuun #headsweatselfie #headsweats #running #runhappy #tourdeangie #webeatfat #weightlossjourney #weightloss

The race started on time and had the best hype man ever.  I should have taken a video but I was trying to save the battery on my phone.  (I needed to call an Uber when I was done.)  The start of the race was pretty amazing.  Everyone was lined up and ready to go and it flowed smoothly.  I was impressed, especially with the amount of people running the race.

Untitled

I knew nothing about the actual course except it was pretty flat and there were some serious out and backs.  We started on the street and my shin was really bothering me.  It was warm and humid and I knew that it wouldn’t be a day to push the pace.  The forecast had called for rain but it looked like it was going to hold off until the afternoon, which just meant the humdity was going to be that much worse.

My shin was really bothering me the first 2 miles as it had done the week before so I took it easy, but the thing that really saved me was at the 2.5 mile mark we turned off onto a crushed rock trail.  It was great.  It was a softer surface and I was able to run.  The trail also had a small road for biking but had a shoulder that I ran on the entire time.  I was really hoping the whole race was going to be like this.  Like I mentioned before, it was an out and back from the start when we split with the half marathon group.  And then we ran the out and back of the half marathon group.

Untitled

This kind of limited the crowd support because we were on the trail the entire time but it was so pretty.  It was calming and peaceful and us folks in the back had each other for support.  I knew I wasn’t going to be pulling a 5 hour marathon that day and it was more important for me to finish.  I was really hoping for a 5:30 finish and that is what I was aiming for.

Untitled

I was able to keep running for the most part.  When things got more humid I backed off the pace a bit.  I was really worried about getting the side stitch like I did the week before in Georgia.  I was on top of my hydration plan the entire time.  I came armed with Nuun Active and Nuun Plus and it really worked because I had no major problems this race.  I really know what to do in the future now.

Untitled

Of course at mile 16, I had my Honey Stinger waffle break.  I pick miles 16 because this is usually the point where I start to break down mentally and do my mental health check.  It’s always nice to have something to look forward to during the race.  I also come with another for mile 20 if I’m feeling low, but I didn’t need to take it this time.  Maybe because the aid stations were super awesome at this race.  Besides having the normal GU and gatorade, there was also pretzels, bananas, candy and one station even had banana bread which was SO GOOD!

Untitled

When I finally made it back to the road at mile 23.5 I was thinking this is probably one of the best races I’ve ever run. Great people and the course was magical, but then I hit mile 24 which was on the road, open to traffic…that was moving pretty fast and there were not volunteers out there. It was pretty scary and unsafe because we literally had 15 inches of running room. This kind of disappointed me but it in no way ruined the race for me.

State 17 is on the bag. I finished the Tobacco Road Marathon in 5:36. I want everyone to remember why I started this journey. Weighing 340 pounds I never thought I would be #running anywhere. I started #tourdeangie to show people you can change and nothin

The last two miles of the race were kind of hill and the final stretch of the race was all drastically downhill (because the race started on an uphill) and it was kind of tearing up my legs. I had to walk some of the downhill because the muscle groups just weren’t having it. I ended up crossing the finish line in 5:36:55. I was pulling for 5:30 but I walked a lot of the last two miles for safety reasons so I’m not disappointed.

Untitled

And there’s was cold chocolate milk at the finish.  It was so cold it was frozen.  I didn’t mind it on a warm day.  It did start to rain five minutes after I crossed the finish line, took my picture and walked under the tent. I may have gotten lucky. I needed it for the recovery; it’s the right ratio to carbs and protein to make your body recover faster.  I usually can’t eat after running these things but I’m always able to get some liquid down so this is one time I do the liquid calories.

Untitled

I really loved this race and then I got this awesome medal when I was done.It’s a pretty big medal too. It’s definitely one of my favorites because it’s a classic beauty. It’s not over done but it so nice.

This is definitely one of those races I would recommend to everyone!  There is something great about running through nature and just having a great time.  I didn’t listen to any music and I just enjoyed the moments. I really had time to think about why I started my running journey and why it’s important for me to share our story with others about weight loss and change.  I’m thankful I get these opportunities.

Expo, pre-race and post race were excellent and one of a kind.  This is a first rate race that truly cares about the actual race and what the runners need. If you have the chance to run North Carolina, this is the race for you.

My week in recovery

My week in recovery

I’m probably being too cautious with my recovery but I don’t want to be injured again where I shouldn’t be running.  That’s a very scary things.  I felt like I lost my best friend and I don’t like losing my best friends.  It hurts and it’s sad.  No more sad faces in my life. Welcome to my week in recovery. So I’ve been really weird about my running.  I haven’t ran this week since I ran a lot last weekend.  I’m running the Austin Marathon in 3 weeks and I really want to do well.  Last year, I bailed out…

View Post

I’m battling an injury

I’m battling an injury

I’ve had a nagging injury that I kept running on for about a month. I’m pretty sure it started off as a sprained ankle and then turned into something else. Resting wasn’t something I was interested in doing. I was able to finish the races I wanted to do so I said I would rest. On New Year’s Day, I ran a marathon. Things were going well until my ankle brace really compressed the tendon on the top of my foot. The last 3 miles I was forced to walk because that tendon was so swollen which caused some other…

View Post

Eggland’s Best Eggs: protein packed and great …

Eggland’s Best Eggs: protein packed and great for summer

I’ve always stressed the importance of protein after a workout. I won’t let you forget that I love to have low fat chocolate milk after a long run because of the protein and carb replacement. But you also know my favorite post run meal involves eggs. I can never have too much omelet! It’s summer, it’s heating up and I’m putting a lot of stress on my body training for the Chicago Marathon in October.  My summer activities include spending a lot of time outside (playing with the dogs, hanging with my family and just enjoying nature) and working toward…

View Post

My week of recovery has been hard

My week of recovery has been hard

I’m excited for a couple of things coming up, but for me to really enjoy those things I have to be healthy and strong.  I’ve got Marine Corps Marathon in October and I never thought I would have the chance to run that race so I want to make sure I make it through all 26.2 miles of that race with a smile on my face. Plus, I running the St. Jude Marathon in December with Willie.  These are some big moments for me. This week I’ve been pretty beat up.  My knee was really stiff due to a tight…

View Post

Recovery from the weekend with Pro Compression

Recovery from the weekend with Pro Compression

It was a big weekend because I did my 20 miler on Saturday.  Yesterday was a rest day.  Rest days are important to give your body a recharge.  It may sound funny coming from me because most people don’t think I take a rest, but I know when my body needs a rest.  Always remember to listen to your body. Recovery has been a big deal to me lately and I’ve taken the time to really educate myself on it.  I was doing it wrong for so long.  It’s hard to think about putting the calories back in your body…

View Post

Accomplished the 20 miler

Accomplished the 20 miler

This morning started off very early for me.  It’s the day in every marathon training plan people look at and think…”20 miles is a long way to go without someone cheering you on.”  Well today was my day.  Honestly, I was skeptical about completing all 20 miles in the Texas heat and humidity but I was going to give it a try. I have a couple of marathons coming up and the first one is Revel Rockies Denver.  I’m trying to run myself back into shape. I planned on being out of the door at 4am, but that didn’t happen.…

View Post

Failing at recovery

Failing at recovery

This shouldn’t be an issue. I’m on Team Chocolate Milk. I should be mastering recovery, but I’m failing. I noticed after I ran the half marathon on Sunday that I was a bit more beaten up than usually. I just figured it may have been due to the fact I ran the back half of the race a little harder than what I’ve been running lately. I waited too long for my lowfat chocolate milk. I mentioned that it started pouring very shortly after I crossed the finish line so I didn’t have enough time to grab anything for recovery.…

View Post

The state of the union: recovery, weight loss …

The state of the union: recovery, weight loss and loose skin

There’s only one thing that you need to know: I’m tired! I feel like I finally hit the limit of doing too much and not getting enough rest.  Yesterday, “Dr. Dawn” told me to take a break and she’s right. Recovery is important but it’s not something I’m good at.  I like to be moving and doing something.  When I’m not moving, I don’t feel like myself. There’s probably some psychological thing I’ve also programmed in my mind about not being active too that comes into to play but that’s buried in the back ends of my mind. All I…

View Post