My goal for for this race was 1) sub 3 hours 2) 3:05 3) PB
I knew this was going to be a tough course but it was much tougher then I expected. I knew if it was a windy day we all were in trouble, since we were wide open the entire way, and it was windy. This course today would not give up any sub 3hour marathon results without a tough fight.
Congrats to everyone that ran today. And thanks to those that came out to watch.
I got there early, and just missed the early start by minutes. I took my time and got myself ready. Met up with Dave, Lisa and Larry before the race and a few others. Warmed up a bit, and then saw more familiar faces at the start, I wished everyone a good run, and we were off.
Mostly uneventful for the first 5k, then onto the highway, a bit of an incline and against the wind for the first out part. Passed a bunch of guys on the way out, then hit the turn around. I was happy that part was over the wind was getting annoying after about 10-11k, as soon as I turned it was totally quiet, so nice after all that wind whistling around my ears. I was about 19th at that point, I counted those that made the turn around before me. Settled into my pace and enjoyed the open highway on a sunny day.
Met up with Alan about 24k, he was ahead of schedule, the plan was 18k, or maybe my math was bad.
One fellow caught up to me and we chatted for a while then I let him go and stuck to my pace.
About 26k I caught up to the back of the 1/2 marathon pack, for the rest of the race I was dodging the thick of the Halfers but what was worse I didn't know who I was racing anyone, I found that a bit unmotivational. I still had the last guy that passed me in my sights so I used him. I stayed to the inside of all the turns to make the course as short as possible.
Down the escarpment, I picked up the pace a bit when I felt I could. At the turn around, about 34k I was pretty much on pace for 3:00, my average pace up until then was 4:18. I thought if I could hold pace and pick it up for the last 3-4k I could make my goal. Well those thoughts ended about as fast as they came. The next 8k was an uphill death march. Everyone with their heads down cutting through the wind and shuffling up the hill. Man that was a tough go, I really don't think I could go much faster at that point.
I caught up and passed the last guy who passed me, and unknown to me a few other marathoners too. The last 8k were all uphill and against the wind, no chance for a fast finish of any kind. I really wanted to finish this race stronger then I did.
Coming to the finish I saw a few friendly RM faces and finished a great run the best I could. I'm totally happy with this result, I wanted sub 3 today, but this course wouldn't have it today. I do know I will reach that goal soon.
chip time 3:05:35
14th overall
4:24 pace
The splits
Code: Select all
time avg for split
5k 21:23 4:17
10k 21:41 4:20 into wind
15k 22:04 4:25 into wind still and incline
20k 21:34 4:19
25k 21:18 4:16 with wind
30k 21:00 4:12 with wind down hill
35k 21:43 4:21 some hills
40k 23:50 4:46 uphill against wind
41k 5:22 still uphill
42k 4:40 still uphill but time to finish
.2k 0:47