2023 Paris Full Marathon Recap

I’ll follow the same format as my last race report, but I’m always looking to improve. Send me any feedback or suggestions if you have any!

Race Information

• Name: Paris Marathon
• Date: April 2, 2023
• Distance: 26.2 miles
• Location: Paris, France
• Strava Link
• Time: 3:27:36 (7:55/mile | 4:56/km)

Goals

Summarized “TL;DR” Recap

I am adding this part for the non-runners or anyone who’d want to skip the full breakdown. It was the most scenic race I’ve ever experienced. No serious goal time since I’m not in shape for a sub-3 marathon yet. I was happy to take this one easier and run with a friend and Cambodian trail teammate (Jean-Jacques Mok). I enjoyed all the sights and the crowds, even if they got a little too close at the end. For me, marathons are a great way to experience a city and the Paris Marathon is a perfect example of this – the city is beautiful and the crowds were electric! Most importantly, I’m happy to finally be back.

Training

I had 5 weeks between the Cowtown marathon and the Paris marathon. The total miles for those weeks were 42, 50, 41, 37, and 53 (with Paris Marathon miles) respectively. I was approaching each week separately and structuring workouts my body could handle. I knew I was not ready for a sub-3-hour marathon, but I wanted to train with that mindset to see where my limitations were. I will list out a few key runs leading up to Paris that I felt were positive signs. Each is ordered based on the weeks after the Cowtown marathon:

• Week 1: 5 x 3 minutes@ 5:50/mile – 6:30/mile, 19-mile long run with 3 miles at sub-3-hour marathon pace (6:52/mile)
• Week 2: 4 x 400m @ 5:45/mile, 2 x 800m @ 5:40/mile, 1 x 1600M @ 5:42/mile, 20-mile long run with 5 miles at sub-3-hour marathon pace
• Week 3: 8 x 400m @ 5:35/mile, 2 x 800m @ 5:40/mile, 9 mile run with 5-mile tempo @ 6:47/mile
• Week 4: 17 miles with 11 miles @ 6:47/mile
• Week 5: 10 miles with 4 miles @ 6:11/mile, Paris marathon race week

I was dealing with some adductor and hip pain during this stretch. Likely due to rushing into the Cowtown marathon (my fault), but I’ve slowly worked through this but still have some tightness. However, it was nothing significant enough to keep me from the Paris marathon start line.

Pre-race

I met with Jean-Jacques the day before the race to discuss logistics. The plan was to move back 2 corrals to the 3:30 pace group. The corral closing time was 8:35 am. So we agreed to meet at 7:45 am outside of the gear check. Gear check took longer than expected (with bathroom breaks of course). We thought we had enough time but we reached the corrals at 8:30 am and the gates were closed. My heart sank for a moment but we found a way through. However, we were in a huge crowd and we could not push forward. Sadly this delayed the expected start from 8:45 am to almost 9:30 am

I was mostly worried about my family and friends who traveled far to come see me. My friends from Belgium drove for 4 hours and they were returning home after lunch. But that was outside my control; all I could do was run my race.

Race

Miles 1-3: 8:01, 8:05, 8:07

The race starts on the Champs-Élysées in front of the Arc de Triomphe, which was a beautiful sight for TV but not for the runners. The roads were still wet from overnight shadows and the cobblestones were tricky enough. I needed to stay focused before an accident happened. The first 5K was about staying calm despite the late start, which we did a great job of. The pack as a whole stuck together as we ran by the Louvre and proceeded to the Opera.

Miles 4-13: 7:48, 8:02, 8:17, 7:58, 7:57, 7:55, 8:05, 8:03, 7:47, 8:00

This part of the race was a blur, to be honest. I was taken away by the crowd support and the beautiful architecture. I remember running by the Place de la Bastille the first time before we entered the park circled Chateau de Vincennes. You can see the elite pack running on the other side, which was incredible since they make it look so easy. Entering the park was a big shift in the atmosphere. There were few crowds there but the park was stunning. Hearing everyone’s footsteps helped keep the cadence up. We were all still feeling good and a few of the group took off. I wanted to run my race and maintain the 8:00/min average pace I have been holding so far.

I should also mention a few interesting setups at the aid station: they handed half-size water bottles with the caps off, there were recycling bins with targets to discard the water, and every other water station had peeled and cut bananas (mixed feelings on this), orange slices, and an assortment of bread.

Miles 14-18: 7:54, 7:56, 8:10, 8:07, 8:03

We exit the park and pass the other side of the Place de la Bastille one more time. We make our descent to the River Seine trail path. This is a very notable running and biking path where I did most of my runs in Paris. We had a closer view of Notre Dame Cathedral (still under renovation sadly) and the Orsay Museum. The crowds were roaring from the sides, the cruise boats were showing their support, and first responders were hanging banners from the overpass and yelling their support. The madness was comparable to any marathon major I’ve done.

Miles 19-22: 7:38, 7:41, 7:44, 7:46

We stay on the river trail path but it undulates as we enter the road section, which meant passing through 3 different tunnels. I lost Jean-Jacques after the first tunnel before mile 19 and I picked up the pace to reach my negative split. The tunnels had lights and music and it was a unique but fun experience. Also passing the Eiffel Tower at mile 19.5 was another iconic highlight. The crowds were dense there, to say the least.

Miles 23-Finish:  7:51, 7:39, 7:25, 7:00, 2:43 (7:30)

We enter the final park, Bois de Boulogne after mile 22. Sections of the park roads were beat up which did not help with footing but we were so close to the finish. Thankfully we were only in the park for 1.5 miles. From mile 24 to the finish is when all hell broke loose. Normally this means my race fell apart but probably the opposite. This part of the race felt like the Tour de France. There were hardly any barriers in sight (maybe my memory is a bit hazy but it felt deafening), which allowed the spectators to get up close and personal – in a good way. They were cheering anyone and everyone in sight. “Aller! Aller! Aller!” or “Go! Go! Go!” is all could hear or translate haha. It was hard to pass people as the spectators narrowed the course. But I didn’t mind it that much – it was part of the race experience.

Unfortunately, it was too crowded for my family and friends to see me at the finish, but I still marched on as we made the final turn on Avenue Foch. The noise continued to build as spectators banged on the barrier boards. And finally, I crossed the finish line of Marathon 20!

Post-race

I previously said, “You get the race you train for” and I made sure I did not pay the price. I was happy with the result and my race overall, but there was more to this race than the marathon. I spent 9 days in Paris with Mom and her side of the family. I have 2 aunts and too many cousins to count who either live in Paris or other parts of France. It was only my mom and I for a long time and it was so refreshing to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

I wrote a previous blog about cultural identity and my struggles with it. My family in France was very welcoming – as all families should be. However, I never once felt ashamed my Khmer or French wasn’t fluent. I was encouraged and supported for trying and wanting to improve – this is the most important part. Similar to running and exercising in general, you won’t get very far with everyone discouraging you for not keeping up. Everyone should encourage you to try again and come back the next day. It’s consistency that creates improvement.

I have sat on this race recap for too long and I have another to write. After Paris, I finished the OC Half Marathon in preparation for my A race – the Fargo Marathon. Back to where I first qualified for Boston!