Pretty strange race today. Fourth marathon for me this year in six weeks and even though I felt I was recovering quick enough, I just couldn't get the legs to work as well as I wanted to today. Overall I was way excited crossing the finish line since it was my best effort run this year. I had talked to Rob yesterday about how to pace. I felt that a 2:30 was a remote possibility but that a 2:35 was realistic. So I decided to pace a 1:17 half and then drop some minutes on the second half. The pace felt very nice but reaching 7 miles I could really feel the lack of leg strength. I didn't seem that tired, but just could not get those suckers to work! I came through the half at 1:17:23, pretty much right on pace and still feeling good except I could not increase speed. I would increase the pace to 5:40 and hold it for half a mile and then my legs would just be dead and would have to drop back to 6. Then I would glance at the GPS when it would beep splits and they were slowing further into the sixes. As the seconds kept adding up I knew it wasn't my race day but no way was I going to drop out since I got injured last year on this course and DNFd.
This is the only marathon have ever run that I finished after feeling dead legs at an early7 miles. I crossed the finish line pretty happy with the run. It is my best effort this year, just a crappy time. I was pretty stoked about holding on for the whole thing and since I felt that I have not been a good mental runner, I am ready to get some rest and start getting in shape for Twin in October.
Aside from the race this has been the most incredible race treatment yet. Three days at an amazing host family with my kids. All the food you can eat and right on a sweet lake. Elite lunches, packets, tour buses, and coaches for race morning. I could get used to this! | 