Paris Marathon Recap

So, I ran another marathon. Last Sunday. Six days after the Utrecht Marathon. Three weeks after the Eco-Trail de Paris 50 miler. Yep, that plan had a ring to it. Brilliant.

Why? Does 'I love Paris, France' sound plausible? Because I do love Paris. As for the Paris Marathon - they have picked a great course. It really is sight seeing Paris in 26.2 miles. The course takes you to a lot of the high lights. And the crowds are amazing. In my humble opinion, Paris Marathon spectators beat NYCM spectators. They are just that amazing. :)

The same goes for the Paris Marathon expo. Best. Expo. Ever. Not only are my favorite brands featured at the expo, but they also have lots and lots of amazing marathons and trail races trying to get your attention. Is it legal to have that much fun at an expo?

As for the race. Well, six days after the Utrecht Marathon with its crazy headwinds, I was going for an easy easy pace long run. No pressure there. I was planning on taking in the sights and on enjoying the on course support / dance groups. 

Good thing I didn't plan on trying to hold a 'normal' pace. Since my legs hopped into 'mile 22 into a marathon sore' mode the minute I crossed that start line. Brilliant. Needless to say I was freaking out during the first 10 miles of the race. I figured, if they feel like this at the start line, how will they feel at mile 20. Yup. 

At mile 10 I ran side by side with a group of guys carrying/pushing a wheelchair with a little girl in it. How freaking amazing is that? And that's when I stopped worrying about my legs. I was running, right? Then what the hell was I complaining about? 

So, I hobbled on. Taking in the course and the people cheering on the runners. When I spotted Mom and her dog Diddy at mile 18-ish - and refilled my hand held - I figured I was so close to the finish line, I'd better keep going. So, I did. And I loved every minute of it. Lucky for me, it turned out the legs turned into sore mode at the start line, but didn't hop into 'sore sore sore mode' - they stayed at the same level of discomfort. Uh-huh. :) Go figure!


Since I was running at long run pace-ish my bladder was working full speed. Enter watering the bushes in the last couple of miles of the race. Plus, I was having fun. Enter dancing with the cheerleaders at mile 25 / 40K. :) 

Running at long run pace-ish left some energy to sprint to the finish line. And took me to the finish line in 3:57:28 - for a fun run and six days after the Utrecht Marathon, I was pleased with that. The medal is freaking cool (shaped like the finisher shirt - how cool is that), and the finisher shirt is a bright yellow color and very comfy. That combined with a great weekend in the city of lights with my mom - what else could this girl wish for? :) 

Oh, and the race pics are coming asap! :)