It never ceases to amaze me how hard Marathons are. It's not the distance alone but the effort and the distance combined. It always seems like such a gamble with so many different variables to consider and so many things that can go wrong to hope that something will go right.
I had very high expectations for this race. After my last couple half’s and the way I had been running as of late I really thought I could get a 2:55. I knew the course would be tough but two weeks ago I thought I was up to the challenge. But after my recent stomach virus and a few other little aches and pains not to mention the recent weight gain, I knew I would be hard pressed yet I was optimistic.
Suzanne forgot her headphones, but since I love her so much, we stopped to buy some on the way. If I ran with an iPod I would have just gave her mine. That put us a little behind schedule and when the Gun sounded we were in the port potty line. I think I was about 13 some minutes late again and I felt like a fish swimming upstream once again. The course was crowed but there was a little bit of a lane on the left so I stayed that way as much as possible. This meant I had to run little further rounding corners and I missed the first two or three aid stations but besides that I don't think it was too bad. I think more than anything it got the adrenaline going prematurely and started my tempo off a little high.
My first few miles were 6:13, 6:28, 6:04, 6:03, and 6:27. It seemed a little fast by my heart rate was in the high 150's the beginning had a slight downhill and the temp was cool. The Marathon broke off from the half for about a mile to add in an extra loop which thinned the crowed for a few minutes but then it was thick again as we rejoined. There were a few up hills next and some running into the sun. If I was to do it again I would have wore sunglasses.
One weird thing about the course I never got passed once not even for a second, I guess that is one perk to starting way back.
The next few miles were 6:43, 6:52, 6:41, 6:58, and 6:29 and I was still feeling good and I felt like with the long taper I had plenty of fuel in my system. A few more hills and the Marathon split off from the half. Based off my start time I was just about with the 3:30 pack 8 milers. As I came into 11 I recognized my old stomping grounds from the time we lived it Holliday. That was kind of fun.
Miles 11 - 15 were 6:39 7:03, 7:17, 6:31, 6:33, I always hate seeing those 7 minute miles but I was hitting a lot of hills. After 12 you start turning down hill for a bit and the time dropped as I started the long trip down Van Winkle.
Miles 16-20 were 6:39, 6:41, 6:56, 7:11, and 7:19 Van Winkle seemed to go on forever but I was just with Marathoners and passing all the way of course more slowly as I caught up to faster runners When I hit 18 I realized I had totally started to go below pace but I started to think about back up goals and how if only ran at 8.2 pass I was still breaking 3:00. I always think that miles 18-23 are the hardest and this was pretty much right on. I started running out of glycogen and my mind played some tricks on me. In St. George I really remember pushing it at this point but I kept getting more discouraged and I couldn't figure out why.
Miles 21-26 were 7:20, 7:18, 7:34, 7:21, 7:57, 7:53 I remember a little boy by the side of the road saying to his dad as I passed that one is doing really good, you can tell because he is smiling. That made feel good and the little boy was cute but I still couldn't believe I was going to break three. I usually smile as I run and I did pretty much all the way to the finish.
The strangest part might have been how my heart rate just dropped the last few miles. It usually starts to really pick up as I push it but I lost all desire to push and it dropped 5 beats. St. George was my previous low and that was 167/181. I ended at 161/174. I guess the upside of not pushing it was that I feel as good as I ever have. I also wonder if I get bonus points for having everyone who finished in front of me be youner then I am.
I was a little disappointed overall but I know I should just be grateful. It made it a little easier to take when I realized I got a medal and finished 14th overall and 2nd in my age bracket. Suzanne and her two friends did really great as well she broke 2 hours again that is 4 times in a row her time was 1:58:20.
I guess it’s back to the drawing board. I don't expect to do another Marathon until St. George and I am going to take a few weeks to do some biking and rest up a little. All in all it was a good day.
| 