Nicoleta Firtat

2018 REVEL Big Bear Marathon
Published: Oct. 15, 2018, 9:32 a.m.
  1. Overall Rating

    5/5 Stars

  2. Describe your race day.

    A huge race surprise! All logistics just aligned smooth and the course was beautiful and the weather couldn't be more perfect.
    I was definitely not even thinking about Boston, just enjoying the race and did not expect to qualify for the new Boston time!
    Weather was just perfect, I've ran other October California races but never one with such a great weather. Loved the course, miles went fact and having a downhills last half helped immensely.
    Can't wait to return next year! Thank you Revel!

  3. Did you PR?

    Oh yeah!!! PR by more than 3 minutes and qualified with more than 5 min for the NEW Boston times. All this after a half marathon race the previous weekend and barely recovered after Big Cottonwood marathon!

  4. How would you describe the course?

    I love Big Bear (leaving in LA) and love the woods so I really enjoyed the course; and we got so lucky with the weather. So unexpected! Let's this "inaugural luck" carry over from all the Big Bear races from now on!

  5. Tell us about your training.

    I wasn't well prepared for this race. But I did my 1st Revel last month in Big Cottonwood marathon where I learned some lessons.
    After Big Cottonwood the recovery took a toll on me, so I took time to rest a lot and really paid attention to tampering more than any other races before Big Bear. It paid off big time!
    Also, during the race I took much shorter steps with much higher cadence. It made a huge difference, during the race and recovery seems easier, thou still harder than regular road races but nothing beats the downhill run!
    Definitely need specific downhills training (love Coach Paul's tips).

  6. What advice would you give future runners?

    Run conservatively the first half than just turn on the "cruise control" for the last half for a great negative split.
    Cold til mile 18, don't throw your gloves before that (and throw them at water stations please).

Comments

  1. Nicoleta Firtat
    Oct. 15, 2018, 9:33 a.m.

    Love you guys for such a nice event and for coming back to LA!

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