Ivy LeVan

2016 REVEL Rockies Marathon
Published: June 13, 2016, 8:12 a.m.
  1. Overall Rating

    5/5 Stars

  2. Describe your race day.

    I have never been so nervous before a race. I was trying to BQ, I was worried about the weather and even though I knew it wouldn't happen again, I was worried about the bus sitch (I was on the marathon bus that didn't make it to the top last year). I was so happy to see all those buses yesterday! The course is beautiful! The atmosphere was fantastic.

  3. Did you PR?

    18 minute PR and a BQ. Sadly, I only beat my qualifying standard by 15 seconds so it's pretty much a given that I won't actually get to go to Boston this year. Hopefully, next year. I think the heat played a role for sure. It was pretty darn hot over the last 5-10 miles. Please move the race to May. Ideal race temps (60 or less)= great times! Please consider having a pacer for 3:50:00. I realize that's not a BQ time but as we all know, you have to run faster than your qualifying standard. Most folks were able to run with the pace group that was 5 minutes faster than their BQ but there was no 3:50:00 pacer so I was on my own. Also, the water situation was kind of a bummer at the finish. It was so hot and I went through that water bottle almost immediately but runners were not allowed to go back into the food area to get more water. Please reconsider that system.

  4. How would you describe the course?

    Beautiful. The first 11 miles are perfect, fast and steep. The hills in the middle were a little rough (I thought I'd be welcoming them at that point but it didn't work out that way). Miles 16ish- 22ish were hot and felt flat so I started struggling. The last few miles were a nice steep descent again so I was able to pick up some nice speed but I had lost too much time by then to do what I wanted. I'll train harder!

  5. Tell us about your training.

    Next year I will incorporate more lower body strength training so hopefully my quads and glutes will hold out longer. I'll also get more hills in. More training on significantly hilly (uphill) terrain will make me stronger overall and more downhill training will prepare my legs for the beating they'll take on race day!

  6. What advice would you give future runners?

    I would tell runners to take it easy during the first half. It's easy to bomb down those hills but try to save your legs for the second half. I heard a lot of people around me struggling early on because they had gone out too fast. I would warn runners to be prepared for the hills in the middle because they're not insignificant. Also, have fun and stay positive. You can meet your goals on this course!!

  7. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

    I drove up from Fort Collins to stay in a hotel overnight. I should have stayed in a campground instead of the overpriced hotel. Live and learn. :)

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