by Theresa DeLorenzo, RD
“Come to California with me and do California International Marathon!” exclaimed Jennifer Newman after co- teaching one of our Sip, Snack and Stretch events at Peebles Island. “OK, twist my arm, I’m in!”
Admittedly, I had consumed two glasses of wine making this decision a little easier than it should’ve been. My arm, however, gets twisted into races pretty readily so this was a no- brainer. The next morning I ran with my friend Gabby Rao who explained she had just signed up for CIM so I thought “OMG it’s meant to be!” Two weeks later at a girl’s night at my house I had the same conversation with Amy Weissman who replied the same way I did. So, off to Sacramento we went!
Having decided to train without a coach after having a few amazing coaches over my running career, I boarded the plane on December 1st at 6 am, nervous I hadn’t done enough. My initial decision to train on my own stemmed from anxiety issues leading to gastrointestinal issues and subsequent failed workout attempts. This inevitably led to being nutritionally depleted. A running friend/ sports psychologist advised me to remove some pressure and train on my own. The result was not necessarily less stress during workouts, rather I just avoided them completely. Marathon effort during long runs? Also non- existent. Observing my race partners numerous long runs on Strava, I started to question my approach. I had done exactly one 12 miler, then a 16 miler coerced by Amy, followed by a 14 because I felt so “amazing- not, after the 16 miler, one 18 miler, one 20 miler and a few hill repeats. “This might be a disaster” I thought.
Although I hadn’t done the workouts I usually do in preparation for a marathon, my nutrition was dialed in. Five hundred grams of carbs per day for the week prior? Check. Nitric Oxide enhancing foods? Check. Quercetin foods? Check. Citrulline? Check. Fluid and electrolytes? Check, check, check.
Race morning I ate my quintessential bagel with peanut butter, banana, and honey and ventured out with Amy in the rain to board the shuttle bus. As we traveled to the starting line, I decided I was going to relax and run as well as possible without stressing. However, it turned out was however it turned out.
I toed the line with the 3:45 pacer. I started my watch to ensure that I was able to get GPS by the time the gun went off. The process of everyone starting took longer than expected and my watch actually turned off by the time I crossed the starting line. I quickly attempted to restart it and realized two miles in that it was set to treadmill mode. I kept looking down at it and seeing 10- 11 minute miles and thought “there is no way!” I continued over the undulating course, pulling away from the pacer and feeling great but having no idea what my pace was. I asked someone who had been running near me for quite some time what time she was aiming for “3:30- 3:40, she told me we were running 8:10 pace. Knowing I finished my last marathon at an 8:38 pace with a time of 3:47, I knew slowing down was probably the wise thing to do, however, I felt good and was not successful in doing so. As I always do, I made several friends along the way, rocked out to the live music on the course and re- affirmed my love for the marathon distance. Still not aware of my pace, I heard the 3:45 pacer came up behind me as I approached the 22 mile marker (despite the fact that my watch said I was barely over 20 miles). I thought if I just kept her behind me this would be a huge PR and a BQ. I took my last gel and set my mind to finishing strong. I rounded the corner towards the finish line and crossed with an almost 4 minute PR and 2024 Boston Qualifying time. Woohoo! Marathons are my favorite distance by far to race, despite saying I would never do one 7 years ago when I started running.
Ed. Note: The California International Marathon is one of several marathons where runners can qualify for the Olympic Trials in 2024. At this marathon that Theresa describes above, Lou Serafini, came 11th, and Karen Bertasso Hughes came in 79th.
California International Marathon (39th)
(USATF Marathon Championships for Men and Women)
Folsom Dam to Sacramento, CA, USA; Sunday, December 4, 2022
Distance: 42.195 km, USATF (CA18004DT) and World-Athletics-certified course, but not record-eligible with 105m elevation loss
Finishers: 4768 men + 3250 women + 5 not classified = 8023 total (up from 7585 in 2021)
Prize Money: See complete details below; also see note on Olympic Trials qualifying bonuses
Course Records: Men, 2:10:27, Jerry Lawson, 1993; Women, New (see below)
Race History: http://www.arrs.run/HP_CaIMa.htm (through 2017)
NOTE: With cool conditions and a gently downhill course, 44 women and 41 men ran under the 2024 USA Olympic Trials qualifying standards of 2:37 for women and 2:18 for men (some athletes had previously qualified, and a handful were not American). At the front, Paige Stoner dominated the women's race to win the national title in a personal best and course record 2:26:02. Good debut for Lauren (Hurley) Goss in second place (2:27:41). On the men's side, Futsum Zienasellassie made a very solid debut, winning in 2:11:01, 51 seconds ahead of Jacob Thomson.
MEN (gun times) -
1. Futsum Zienasellassie, 29, Flagstaff, AZ 2:11:01 DB $20,000
2. Jacob Thomson, 28, Louisville, KY 2:11:52 PB 10,000
3. Joel Reichow, 29, White Bear Lake, MN 2:12:11 PB 7,000
4. John Raneri, 31, Flagstaff, AZ 2:12:33 PB 3,000
5. Daniel Mesfun, 34, Flagstaff, AZ 2:12:47 1,500
6. Eddie Owens, 29, Mill Valley, CA 2:13:25 DB 1,000
7. Ed Goddard (AUS), 25, Mosman, NSW 2:13:36 PB 800
8. Matt McClintock, 28, Flagstaff, AZ 2:14:00 PB 700
9. Joseph Whelan, 32, Webster, NY 2:14:41* 600
10. Matt Llano, 34, Flagstaff, AZ 2:14:56 400
11. Louis Serafini, 31, Cambridge, MA 2:14:59 PB***
12. Evan Landes, 29, Lawrence, KS 2:15:01 PB
13. Kristoffer Mugrage, 28, Alamosa, CO 2:15:19 PB
14. Jackson Neff, 30, Niwot, CO 2:15:28 PB
15. Tom Slattery, 26, Alexandria, VA 2:15:34 PB
16. Zach Herriott, 29, Washington, DC 2:15:42 PB
17. Ben Kendell, 26, Rochester Hills, MI 2:15:49 PB
18. Samuel Doud, 27, Washington, DC 2:15:52 PB
19. Zachary Ornelas, 31, Ann Arbor, MI 2:16:05 PB
20. Wesley Robinson, 25, Denver, CO 2:16:07 PB
21. Ryan Root, 31, Boulder, CO 2:16:10
22. Tyler Jermann, 30, St. Paul, MN 2:16:20
23. Benjamin Schneiderman, 26, Glendale, CO 2:16:22 PB
24. Jarrod Ottman, 24, Westminster, CO 2:16:35 PB
25. Swarnjit Boyal, 27, Yuba City, CA 2:16:33 PB
26. Roman Kirkov, 29, Chehalis, WA 2:16:50 PB
27. Mitch Ammons, 33, Austin, TX 2:16:52 PB
28. Kellen Blumberg, 30, San Diego, CA 2:17:04 PB
29. Adam Sjolund, 21, Reno, NV 2:17:02 DB
30. Andrew McCann, 34, Westerly, RI 2:17:11 PB
31. Matt Lenehan, 31, Mountain View, CA 2:17:13
32. Spencer Johnson, 27, San Diego, CA 2:17:15 PB
33. Austin Bogina, 29, Arma, KS 2:17:16
34. Jake Ritter, 23, Citrus Heights, CA 2:17:17 DB
35. Jason Salyer, 32, Tipp City, OH 2:17:19
35. Henry Sterling, 31, Scottsdale, AZ 2:17:21
36. Brendan Gregg, 33, West Sacramento, CA 2:17:22
[1:04:51 / 1:12:31]
37. Riley Cook, 41, South Weber, UT 2:17:23
38. Kurt Roeser, 35, Longmont, CO 2:17:26
39. Nathan Kwan, 27, Davis, CA 2:17:32
40. Kevin Colon, 31, Longmont, CO 2:17:40
41. Jakob Kintzele, 23, Portland, OR 2:17:45
42. Nathan Dunn, 26, Vista, CA 2:18:05
43. Matthew Crehan (GBR), 31, Ashton-in-Makerfield2:18:13
44. Charles Remillard, 29, Denver, CO 2:18:17
45. Ryan Archer, 28, Brooklyn, NY 2:18:25
WOMEN (gun times) -
1. Paige Stoner, 26, Charlottesville, VA 2:26:02 PB/CR* $20,000 + 3,000*
2. Lauren Goss, 34, Boulder, CO 2:27:41 DB 10,000
3. Elaina Tabb, 30, Boston, MA 2:28:04 PB 7,000
4. Bria Wetsch, 34, Broomfield, CO 2:28:35 PB 3,000
5. Katja Goldring, 32, Los Angeles, CA 2:29:01 PB 1,500
6. Kate Sanborn, 24, Raleigh, NC 2:29:19 PB 1,000
7. Maegan Krifchin, 34, Atlanta, GA 2:29:21** PB 800
8. Gabriella Rooker, 35, Minneapolis, MN 2:29:44 PB 700
9. Neely Gracey, 32, Lafayette, CO 2:30:29 PB 600
10. Julia Griffey, 30, Flagstaff, AZ 2:30:35 400
11. Sydney Devore, 31, Ferndale, MI 2:31:08 PB
12. Annmarie Tuxbury, 28, Newport, RI 2:31:31 PB
13. Molly Bookmyer, 31, Columbus, OH 2:31:39 PB
14. Diane Nukuri, 38, Flagstaff, AZ 2:33:16
15. Katy Presley, 27, Lexington, KY 2:33:31 DB
16. Savannah Berry, 26, Orem, UT 2:33:42 PB
17. Amanda Phillips, 36, Hood River, OR 2:33:56 PB
18. Mackenzie Caldwell, 26, Boulder, CO 2:34:21 DB
19. Maya Weigel, 27, Los Altos, CA 2:34:25 DB
20. Emma Huston, 28, Des Moines, IA 2:34:31 PB
21. Sara Mostatabi, 29, Los Angeles, CA 2:34:35 PB
22. Allie Schaich, 29, Lakewood, CO 2:34:41 PB
23. Holly Clarke, 30, San Francisco, CA 2:34:54 PB
24. Sarah Reiter, 29, Hood River, OR 2:34:54 PB
25. Kaylee Bogina, 26, Boulder, CO 2:35:00 DB
26. Katie Florio, 29, Philadelphia, PA 2:35:07 PB
27. Caitlin Phillips, 40, East Jewett, NY 2:35:07
28. Katie Kellner, 31, Boston, MA 2:35:24 PB
29. Megan O'Neil, 26, Rochester Hills, MI 2:35:32 PB
30. Ariane Hendrix-Roach, 34, Ferndale, MI 2:35:46 PB
31. Sophia King, 26, Chesterfield, VA 2:35:47 PB
32. Veronica Eder, 27, Philadelphia, PA 2:35:48 PB
33. Amelia Keyser-Gibson, 26, Seattle, WA 2:36:13 PB
34. Taylor Dare, 30, Fort Worth, TX 2:36:13 PB
35. Regan Rome, 26, Providence, RI 2:36:14 DB
36. Madeline Duhon, 33, Berkeley, CA 2:36:23
37. Michelle Krezonoski (CAN), 29, Kingston, ON 2:36:39 DB
38. Julia Vasquez, 27, San Francisco, CA 2:36:41 PB
39. Carrie Mack, 36, Bend, IL 2:36:45
40. Tara Welling, 33, Portland, OR 2:36:46 PB
41. Stephanie Sherman, 25, Rochester Hills, MI 2:36:49 DB
42. Adrian Walsh, 28, Steamboat Springs, CO 2:36:53 PB
43. Caroline Williams, 30, Boston, MA 2:37:01 PB
44. Polina Hodnette, 35, Chicago, IL 2:37:02 PB
45. Kim Krezonoski (CAN), 29, Kingston, ON 2:37:20 DB
46. Hannah Chau, 22, Irvine, CA 2:37:27 DB
47. Ashlee Powers, 28, Beverly Hills, CA 2:37:34 PB
48. Lexie Greitzer, 30, Colorado Springs, CO 2:37:49 PB
49. Beth McKenzie, 42, Encinitas, CA 2:37:49 PB
50. Courtney Olsen, 35, Bellingham, WA 2:37:52
51. Jen Odenheimer, 30, Portola Valley, CA 2:37:53 PB
52. Nicolette St. Lawrence, 29, Garrison, NY 2:37:56
53. Lyndy Davis, 32, Eugene, OR 2:37:58
54. Chelsea Benson, 40, Ithaca, NY 2:38:00
55. Annie Dear, 31, San Rafael, CA 2:38:02
56. Kathryn Fluehr, 29, Boulder, CO 2:38:09
57. Jeanne Mack, 32, Brooklyn, NY 2:38:46
58. Kimberly Horner, 34, Minneapolis, MN 2:39:05
59. Leigh Sharek, 34, Brooklyn, NY 2:39:13
60. Stephanie Rouse, 32, San Francisco, CA 2:39:25
61. Caitlin Keen, 30, Fort Worth, TX 2:39:30
62. Sally Crowther, 28, Kirkland, WA 2:39:37
63. Sarah Jackson, 34, Austin, TX 2:40:08
79. Karen Bertasso-Hughes, 38, Selkik, NY**** 2:41:27 PB
*Course record/$3000 bonus; previous 2:26:53, Sara Vaughn, 2021
#Earned USA Olympic Trials qualifying bonus
* won the Mohawk Hudson River marathon in 2022.
**won the Stockade-athon in 2012.
***won the Stockade-athon in 2022, 2021, 2016
****won the Stockade-athon in 2022
Dr. DeLorenzo has been a Registered Dietitian (RD) since 2001. She received her BS in Food Science and Dietetics from the University of Rhode Island and her MS and Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She currently is the Program Director for the Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance Logan University and serves as the team dietitian for USA Para Powerlifting at Logan.
In addition to dietetics, Dr. DeLorenzo is a 200-hour trained yoga teacher and is currently obtaining her certification in yoga therapy with an emphasis on improving body image. She teaches online yin yoga and power yoga and provides yoga therapy for clients with anxiety, body dysmorphia, and pain.
As owner and founder of Nutrition for Optimal Performance, Dr. DeLorenzo specializes in working with athletes.
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