Decided at the last minute to pace the Layton marathon. My preference would have been a 3:45 to 4:00 time but 4:15 was all that was left. 9:44/mile is a little bit on the slow side but I figured that pacing the slower time would allow me to recover quick enough to pace 3:35 at Big Cottonwood in 2 weeks.
Once the race started, it was very hard to lock into the right pace. The 4 hour pacer went out very slow and I was right on his heels for the first 2 miles which made me worry that I was going too fast. My Garmin was telling me that I was fine so I just stuck with the pace letting the runners around me know not to worry, that we were right on pace. Held a good, consistent pace and had a good group of guys around me for the first 16 miles. The crowd started to thin out once we got off the causeway and I was all alone the rest of the way. I had a real hard time keeping the pace slow enough for the last 10 miles. My body just wanted to be done and would naturally speed up. I got a few seconds ahead each mile but gave that time back at the aid stations. Since it was getting hot, I walked each aid station at took in extra fluids. Was about 20 seconds ahead at mile 25 so backed the pace off to 10:00/mile and crossed the finish line in 4:14:56.
With the slow pace and flat course, I really am not sore at all. It was a good way to remind me how far a marathon is before the more aggressive pacing job at Big Cottonwood. Was happy to see Tom Slick get his BQ minus 5 minutes. Impressive considering the honest course and the heat.
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