Happy to be back with my 1st marathon since 2013… even if the results were depressing at best. The 2 miles on Friday felt very nice and although the forecast was slightly warmer than I would like I felt confident going in.
Slept well, morning coffee and oatmeal are my standard long run/race meals. Shuttled over to the race area around 7 and felt a little anxious, but still felt a solid race was in me. Judging by the course I was planning a slight positive split. Nothing crazy, but miles 3-9 are slightly downhill and 9-20 slightly uphill. I figured with that and increasing temps it was a good idea to go out a hair faster. I was aiming for a 3:20-3:23 marathon.
The half marathoners started at the same time as the marathoners and broke off at mile 4. This lead to a congested, slow start and I felt like I had to weave too much early on.
Miles 1-5 7:38, 7:31, 7:38, 7:27, 7:45 Felt pretty decent, could see the 3:15 group in the distance so things seemed like they might go according to plan.
Miles 6-10 7:37, 7:39, 7:36, 7:39, 7:48 On to some bike paths and heading into mile 10 was a little more up than I realized. All good though.
Miles 11-15 7:43, 7:40, 7:43, 7:52, 7:38 I choked on some gu at mile 14. Took me a few seconds to wash it down- I also noticed although I was running at the same effort my times were going up. I know it was gradually uphill, but it bothered me. It was starting to break 60-65 at this point in temps.
Miles 16-18 7:50, 8:03, 8:18….. 8 freaking 18… I was not happy at this point. The effort was there, but the time was slipping away. This may be a surprise, but I have never really ‘bonked’ in a marathon. I mean maybe the 1st one I ever ran, but I had no clue what I was doing then.
Miles 19-20 8:26, 8:32 As I was passing mile 20 I was convincing myself I could still rally back. I was getting hot, but I had fueled smart and knew I could just hold on. I picked out a person and ran with them…. Oh for about half a mile and then I felt… heavy is the best way to describe it.
Miles 21-26.2 8:51, 8:56, 9:32 (all confidence was shattered and focus was gone), 9:42 (debated quitting…. But NO), 10:00 (Tasted vomit in my mouth… push Dan push I kept saying to myself), 9:46, 8:35* (pace for the .2, I tried to look composed for the crowd)
So there it was. 3:35. It was warm. I was being congratulated while I was fighting back tears. Yes I am man enough to admit that. For the first time other than injury I was ready to cry after a race. After a few minutes went by I sucked it up and started to practice what I preach. The only thing I can change at this point was my attitude. I just ran 26.2 miles injury free. I do not do as well because I did not train enough mainly because I have not raced in so long. It was then that I was thankful to God for allowing me even get back to the starting line. To be blessed to even have the means to do such things. To have support of a few good friends and even one on here texting to see how I was. In that light, I am pretty darn happy. God willing and body able, I will push. I mean when I can walk normal again… soon.
| 