Getting that PR at Revel Big Bear

Lea Reyes (MM13731, DA2891, HF16015) – I said yesterday at the REVEL, Big Bear marathon, shoot for a goal of 4:25. That’s all, just a couple minutes shy of my current PR.
Four hours of sleep night, my brain just would not shut off, so I woke up a little foggy and tired at 3:00 AM to catch the shuttle at 3:30 AM. Also had unexpected issues but I prepared the best I could.
Around 35° at start, then steadily increased as we descended to the Redlands. With two gels, half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, applesauce squeeze, three packets of NOM endurance that I took every 2 miles and a couple oranges along the way. I was at mile 21 before 330 and I was already ahead of my goal by a few minutes. Last five miles are brutal. My legs were telling me one thing, while my heart and mind was telling me another. At 3:54 I knew I was going to PR and surpass my goal of 4:25. I saw the 4:20 pacer at exactly 4:00 hours and nothing could stop me at that point. Regardless of how my legs felt with the urge to stop and walk for a minute I pushed through.
I crossed the finish line and hunched over for a minute and shed a few tears of emotion and joy. It was a great feeling to earn a new PR of 4:20:49 although my Garmin said 4:19: 27 at exactly 26.2. I’ll take the official time because it’s still seven minutes faster than my old PR.
Thank you too REVEL for an amazing race, all the spectators, and my fellow runners for cheering me on.
Next up, four half marathons next week, a few in December, and the marathon in the Bahamas.

Photo and Post Credit Lea Reyes (MM13731, DA2891, HF16015) –