Today’s 2023 California International Marathon recap is not laden with excuses about why I bonked and didn’t hit my soft marathon goal.
This CIM recap is intended to help other runners realize that some training blocks don’t always allow us to hit our goals…
…And that’s okay.
For a decade of trying to Boston Qualify, I would ask myself why I failed again after each marathon. What I wasn’t able to accept then that I’m able to accept now is that I wasn’t prepared.
That is how my 2023 California International Marathon became an acceptance of where I was physically and mentally.
The Month Before CIM
The month of November was, as most months are in our house, crazy.
I began the month out at the Run the Parkway 20-mile run in Sacramento. I flew out to Sactown Saturday and back Sunday so the trip was quick and didn’t lead to a perfect final big workout. However, I love the spirit of the training race leading into CIM.
As a 2023 CIM ambassador, I met up with plenty of runners and offered up my CIM advice.
I went into it planning a 3-mile warm-up, 6 miles at 7:00/mi effort, 1 easy mile, 6 miles at 7:00/mi effort, and 4-mile cooldown. In the first 6-mile effort, I came in at a 6:57/mi pace. The second effort fell off in the last 2 miles leading to a 7:16/mi pace. That was when I knew I probably wasn’t ready for a 7:00/mi pace at CIM.
CIM race day with a proper weekend build-up might lead to a better performance, but I felt I wasn’t quite there.
The two middle November weeks ended up being hell for our family. Between wrapping up one son’s soccer season and wrapping up both of my son’s basketball season that I coach, we were, as usual, on the go constantly. This may have led to weak immune systems as one by one the house first came down with a cold and then the stomach flu. We were in survival mode and the absolute most critical 2 weeks to a marathon block fell flat on their face.
Internally, I knew a 3:05 CIM finish was a long shot. However, for better or worse, I’m not one to put doubt into the same world with confidence.
What do I mean?
“We’ll see how it goes,” is a common response from me to those asking what I think about any race before the race. However, I don’t say that because I doubt myself. I say that to get the questioner off my back.
I don’t like talking specifics about my goals. I like to think internally about my approach, effort, and goals.
I do well with putting pressure on myself. I don’t do well with the pressure of others on me. I’m one to focus on what I can control and being that pressure from others is uncontrollable by me, I try to not let it into my mind in the first place.
This is all to say, the last month of CIM training did not go well and I knew it had impacted my odds.
Race Weekend
Being a CIM ambassador, I knew I’d have a full plate so I flew out to Sacramento early Friday morning.
I’ll break the weekend down by event leading into the race.
Inaugural Unofficial CIM Pre-Shakeout Shakeout
Friday evening I hosted the inaugural Unofficial CIM Pre-shakeout shakeout.
I had no idea if anyone would show up.
Thankfully, we had an awesome group of 10 of us that strolled around Downtown Sac and Old Sac for 4 easy miles.
I’ll host this every year again even if it remains unofficial as it was a great way to meet runners, answer their questions, and stretch the legs after travel.
BPN X CIM Shakeout
Saturday morning, BPN along with CIM hosted a 2-mile shakeout run.
Our ambassador organizer Megan let all of us CIM Ambassadors know that the only required weekend event was the shakeout. Being that I stayed across the street at the Sheraton, the quick morning jaunt down the street made Saturday morning a relaxed one.
That was until I showed up.
The day prior at the Expo, Jenn, one of the CIM organizers, asked if I was willing to lead the shakeout run since I knew the route and the city. I was more than happy to.
Once I showed up at the shakeout and about 20 minutes before we were to start, Jenn asked if I could give a bit of an introduction over the microphone. Though a bit nervous, I’m never one to turn down an opportunity.
With that said, BPN brought 1,000 t-shirts to give away and those ran out before the shakeout that morning. That meant there were over 1,000 people at this shakeout run. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a shakeout run with more than 50 people.
I think my intro, course tips, and a brief explanation of the shakeout course were well received.
I’ll look back on this CIM and remember this opportunity the most. Helping 1,000+ runners prepare for CIM and leading them through the city I love. You don’t get the opportunity often so when it presents itself, take the chance and you’ll have a memory for life.
(Side note: Thanks Jenn for asking me to do so and giving me the nudge.)
Off we went through DOCO and Old Sac, by Tower Bridge, near the Capitol, and back down K street.
As noted by Tony in Episode 31 of the OC Endurance Podcast, I had to do my best traffic cop impersonation with the light rail and cars all around.
Relay Podcast
Mike Ko, Matt Chittim, and Peter Bromka hosted their Relay podcast at the close of the CIM Expo.
I had finally rested a few hours before this so it was nice to get up and check out the three talk CIM.
The most relatable aspect discussed was how everyone was a “running nerd” at CIM weekend. The three discussed how everyone talked about this shoe drop or this new running gear or marathon training difficulties or what they thought X person would finish in.
They loved every bit of the nerdiness as much as I did.
Pre-Race Dinner
As a CIM Ambassador, I was treated to a catered buffet-style pre-race pasta/spaghetti dinner at the Hyatt.
The day had been complete madness so getting a meal that was just walk-in-the-door ready was welcomed.
I try to keep things simple in the meal leading up to race morning. Thus, I didn’t go for the fancy sauces or the appetizing vegetables. It was straight carb’s for me.
For future reference, if you’re paying for the VIP experience, you get this dinner too. Its ease of access and simplicity are worth attending over going out to the the CIM-runner crowded restaurants around downtown.
Race Morning
Thankfully, I got to sleep by 8:30 Saturday night. As usual, I was wide awake at 2:30 am Sunday ready to rock n roll. I was well rested so being up this early plus Colorado-adjusted, it was 3:30 am for me which isn’t that much earlier than normal.
My normal race routine is to immediately drink a bottle of Tailwind plus LMNT. This allows the body to absorb as much electrolytes for the last hydration push pre-race.
I followed that up with a two-finger-tall coffee. I love to have a bit of caffeine but I’ve learned from training and race day experience that more than a two-finger-tall amount of coffee makes my body frantic and anxiety-laden.
Food-wise, I always have a bagel with peanut butter and honey about 3 hours pre-race. I’ve found this can be processed by my stomach and provides a bit more density so I’m not hungry at the starting line. I follow that up with a banana.
The Bus, The Gym, The Bathrooms
As a CIM ambassador, we got to ride the coattails of the VIP experience.
We had chartered buses to take us right up to the starting area in Folsom. Not too much to say here other than it was a hell of a lot better than the typical school bus to the start.
Once at the start area, we had private access to this Crossfit-style gym near the start with everything cleared out of the way. It was nice to have a place to stay warm, get ready, stretch, and relax pre-race.
Along with this access, there were about 20 private porta-potties. Talk about perfect. I always brag about CIM having endless porta-potties and the best ratio in the racing game, but there are, inevitably, still lines. Not at the VIP area. Zero wait time.
You know how people who’ve flown first class can never go back to economy afterward. Well, I have no idea how I can go back to a non-VIP CIM experience now.
The Corrals
Due to buses being delayed getting to the start, there was a 10-minute delay. Not a huge deal, but I headed to the corrals a bit too early looking back. I didn’t know about the delay when I left the VIP area and didn’t want to waste time going back once the delay was announced.
I stood in the corral for about 30 minutes pre-race. Not ideal, but honestly, didn’t impact me on this day so no complaints.
I’ve been in the 3:00/3:05 pacing areas for the last four CIM’s and the fast-paced groups are large. Nothing anyone can do, but just deal with it.
Not too much else to say about the corrals so let’s dive into my actual race experience.
The Race
My plan going in was to go out with the 3:05 pacer for as long as I could hold on.
I knew I was nowhere near a 3:00 time. I figured I was probably conditioned closer to 3:10. However, I had low expectations and knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed with whatever happened.
So, I rolled the dice with the 3:05 pace group.
Miles 1-3
As usual, the crowds pull the pace the first downhill mile.
I stayed within myself and managed that first rush well enough to be behind pace by about 3 seconds. That’s ideal for those that don’t know CIM.
As we got through the first mile, the same thing that’s happened the last 3 CIM’s happened again. I had to pee.
I don’t know if it’s a mental thing with CIM for me now. It must be because I haven’t had to for any other race.
Thankfully, my stop was maybe 20-25 seconds at mile 3 and I managed to maintain pace with a bit of kick to stay within striking range of the 3:05er’s.
Miles 3-10
Through the heavy hitter rollers, I sat behind or alongside the 3:05 pace group.
I was in a 7:02/mi groove.
Honestly, these miles felt like a Saturday morning long run.
My confidence was growing.
One of the hardest parts of CIM for me is holding back from 3-10. That’s why the pace groups are amazing. They are easy to find, right on pace, and keep me disciplined.
Entering Old Fair Oaks, my favorite area of the race, right after 10 miles, I started to pull ahead ever so slightly from the 3:05 group.
Nothing dramatic, but people were already fading from the rollers it seemed.
My legs felt great. I wasn’t breathing heavy. So, I pulled ahead a bit just to get out of the manic fight of push and pull with the pace group.
Looking back, this was still the right move. Yes, they passed me near 21 which is relatively early, but I was strong for the 20 miles I was conditioned for.
Miles 11-19
I continued clocking low 7-minute miles through this section.
I always feel as though this is where I excel at CIM.
I know that there are still rollers through here. I know it’s going to start hurting soon. I know what’s to come.
However, I tend to have a good kick through these miles and, honestly, that was the case this Sunday.
It wasn’t until mile 19 that I knew my body was fading a bit. Nothing crazy, but it started feeling like a marathon and I knew it was far too early for that.
As you’ll see further ahead in this post, I had run a perfectly paced race in the 7:02/mi range for the first 19 miles. But a marathon is 26.2 miles.
Miles 20-22
I lost the pace.
I was still in the 7’s here but I was fading fast.
The marathon negotiations with myself started happening and I was just holding on to not walking any before the J Street bridge.
As I tell everyone, just get to the bridge.
The wheels had fallen off and I knew it was just a matter of gritting out some half-decent miles to finish.
Miles 23-26.2
Before CIM 2023, I had not walked in a marathon since 2018.
That’s a fairly big achievement for me.
Going in, I knew it may come to a run-walk-shuffle-run repeat and I was accepting of it.
It did come to that.
There were numerous, “Walk, count to 20, then you get back to running.” That happened the last 4 miles. You don’t truly know how far 4 miles are until you are at the end of a marathon.
Fall 2023 was absolute scheduling chaos for our family. There were missed easy days, failed long workouts, and inconsistent scheduling.
Let me set the record straight though.
I make ZERO excuses for how I fell off at CIM 2023. I was NOT ready for a peak race at CIM 2023 and I knew that going in. I was ready for a 20-mile-long run effort. I did just that with the unfortunate reality that on this day, I was not running a long training run, but an actual marathon.
When you show up to a marathon, you either want to perform or finish. I wanted to finish decently well and accomplished that in my eyes which is all that matters.
Here’s my official breakdown of 5k splits.
My Garmin manual splits are a mess as I missed a manual split so trying to explain it would be maddening.
Perfect Pacing, Poorly Prepared
Being that I knew where I stood going into CIM 2023, I’m happy with the result.
For 19 miles, I perfectly paced the race with consistency that I didn’t have 5 years ago.
Life just didn’t allow me to be prepared for what it takes to succeed at the marathon level.
And that’s okay.
Back in 2018, I was severely depressed struggling to achieve major marathon goals. Since then, I’ve achieved them and more.
These days, being present in life is worth the sacrifice of faster times.
I hope and plan on bigger and faster goals still. However, they aren’t a 10,000-pound elephant weighing me down.
If I never again hit the marathon times I’ve previously done, I’m okay with it.
I’m going to go after those goals I have to the best of my ability and what life affords me while being present in life itself.
That’s what CIM 2023 was about for me. It was about enjoying the ride.
I had a hell of a time at CIM 2023.
…and 3:12:49 is not too bad for a dad who coaches his two boys in basketball, grinds the 9 to 5, and continues to strive to set an example at home and to those who follow.
That’s it for my California International Marathon recap. I appreciate everyone, who in-person or online, introduced themselves to me.
I’m grateful to be a part of this community and can’t wait to run CIM again.
CIM…every year…’til the day I die.
