Lehigh Valley Via Marathon

I recently ran the Lehigh Valley Via Marathon in Allentown, PA.  This was my strongest marathon yet!  I ran in memory of my stillborn daughter Quinn.  Training for and running the marathon was incredibly healing both emotionally and physically, and a special way for me to honor my daughter.  Below is a review of my training and the Via Marathon course.

I loosely followed the FIRST Marathon Training Plan.  I followed their weekend-long run plan, and I felt like their mileage increases were manageable and realistic.  I conducted all of my long runs on asphalt, to build up my resistance to the road.  I learned this the hard way during my last marathon where I did all my long runs on trails which did not prepare me for the pounding that came race day.

I did my weekday shorter runs mostly on trails or on asphalt with the jogging stroller.  The stroller slowed me down a ton and I could not meet the recommended distance or pace on the training plan.  Most of my weekday runs were 4-5 miles; on occasion I was able to hit 6 miles.  Nonetheless, I felt very prepared for the marathon since I took the weekend long runs very seriously.

We had a hot and humid summer in New Jersey, so I could not have gotten through my long runs without my CamelBak Circuit running vest.  This holds 1.5L water and was my life saver.  During my 18 and 20 mile runs, I had to refill it, but it was sufficient for all the other runs.  At first I felt ridiculous wearing it, but it wasn’t long before practicality trumped foolishness.  Taking a sip of ice cold water 10 miles into a humid run at 85 degrees under a beating sun was well worth it!

I am also a shade junky.  I try to follow the shade whenever possible, even if it means (safely) disobeying the running traffic rules.  I have found that any moments in the shade, even if short, positively impact my run.

I chose GU as my fuel of choice and used this Runner's World post as a guideline.  I ate one GU (with caffeine) every hour.  So for the marathon, I had 3 GU's total and I chased each GU with water.  I also took water at all of the water stops, except for the last stop where I took Gatorade.  This approach worked great for me.  I usually don't drink much caffeine in life, but I found it helpful when running long distances.  I found the rule of "drinking by feel" to be valid too.  

I hope these tips are helpful to you if you are a novice marathoner like me!

Overall, I loved the Via Marathon and would run it again in a heartbeat.  The beginning was great – there was a good crowd for the first few miles and the course took an interesting path across bridges and even through a covered bridge.  There were a few long legs on the towpath, but it was manageable.  The course was as flat as they advertised it to be.  This was a real treat!  There were a few mild inclines, that I would not call hills.  I think we even lost more elevation than we gained in this course!  I felt great during the first half and I was flying through the course – well above my goal pace.  I was thinking to myself, “YES!  This is what life is all about, I feel alive!”

The challenge to this race was the solitude.  I found the last 8 miles to be mentally brutal.  Miles 18-25.5 were strictly on the tow path.  There were few spectators - just a couple clusters and that was it.  By this point, the pain had set in and there were few distractions to get me through.  I could not believe we were running miles 20-25 all by ourselves!  The runners had thinned out by that time, so I felt pretty alone.  I was so happy to finally see spectators during the last 0.7 mile stretch to the finish.  It would be great if there was a way to have more spectators from miles 20-25. 

The lack of spectators at the end is my only complaint.  Otherwise, I thought it was a great race, a beautiful and flat course, and well organized.  I felt like my weekday trail runs coupled with my weekend asphalt long runs prepared me well for the terrain. 

I love running recreationally and would love to connect with you about your goals and/or training!  Please be in touch if you are running, especially if you choose to run in memory of a loved one.  I would love to hear your story: jdillonwilson@gmail.com.   

I am still running and dedicating runs to babies who have died.  I would be honored to run in memory of your loved one, please request a run here. Be well and #runtoheal.