Yakima River Canyon Marathon Part 2

What an interesting and fun trip I had to Yakima. First off, my husband did not go with me but sent Carmelita to protect me instead. She’s my 16lb dog. I have not been back to Yakima for at least five years. Being born and raised there I wanted to make the most of my trip and go visiting. I looked for my brother. He had left his home earlier and the nurse said I may find him riding his motorized chair. I did not find him. I even had tamales from Los Hernandez in Union Gap. I bought one dozen with an order for another dozen on Saturday. We (Carmelita and I) ate three of them at the Union Gap Park, where I used to play.

I had run some sprints that Thursday which made my left heel and hamstring sore. This is when I started to get the really bad feeling about my sub 4 hour goal.
Friday night in our hotel I did some stretches after dinner. Dinner consisted of chicken breast and yams with a snack later of tamale and mixed nuts. I drank lots of water but not too much considering the forecast was for 60% chance of rain. I was still worried about my heel and hamstring.

In the morning to the race I ate another chicken breast and a yam with 20 oz of electrolyte from Hammer Nutrition Heed. Right before race start I downed Poweraid Gel 2 x caffeine. And ate one every half mile or so, in between also sipping on Hammer Perpetulum. My nutrition is of no problem in races now. I have high energy and no wall!

Before we had a chance to go into the canyon, the run took us meandering thru farm land of Ellensburg. It was awesome! People were outside their homes cheering us on. But I was glad to start into that canyon that I had been so many times. The first ascend felt great as we went past the entrance sign.
No problem with my heel at all! My left hamstring was tight but loosened up. It was always there telling me that I need to strengthen it, but no pain. This was going to be a good run. Even though I did not make my time that I wanted I still was happy. It was windy, and hilly, and beautiful. There were lots of encouraging people at the water stops and great scenery. Two bald eagle sighting but not big horn sheep.
The BIG hill was great. Downed a Poweraid and water and trudged right up it. At the top, the wind was at our backs and pushed us right back down the other side. Loved it!
I ended up doing a little of walking at the water stops and right before the BIG hill. My legs did not feel that bad. Early in my training with marathons, it would hurt to start running again. It felt great to run.

I had two port-a-potty stops. Last one was at the last stop, .3 miles from finish. I just had too.

After that last stop, I ran hard. Half marathon hard. There were two ladies that I saw up in front and I had a goal to pass them and I did and did not let up. I was 180th! With a time of 4:06:50. Ten second PR from my last marathon with flat trail and no wind. I am happy enough. Boston Qualifying has to wait. I have an Ironman to train for now.

Items used: New sports bra from Target. One that would not rub in all the wrong places. Passed the 26.2 miles test.
Blue Steel Sports Ant-Chafe Cream. Worked great!
Ran in my Nike shorts. Just did not feel like a skirt day.
Buff, Body Armor top, long Sleeve tech top (Seattle Marathon), storm jacket (it was fricken cold at the start), new Pearl Izumi trail sock I had won at the Intro to Tri class. Feet never felt sweaty!

Also, the ride home was not that great. Snoqualmie pass was "chains required" by the time I left the awards ceremony. It was still when I got to the state patrol man at the top of the pass. Sat under the highway of I-90 for 20 minutes till they cleared the road a bit and a nice patrol man came and told me that I can now drive on the road. I was ready to just sleep there till morning. 5+ hours to get home. Great adventure!