Day one of three. Three marathons, three states, three days. On call so as long as I don't get called to work this will be a fun weekend. An old friend is the director for this Trifecta so he gave me an entry race morning. Mostly dirt road today, rolling hills on the Idaho side of the lake. No cups at unmanned aid stations with 5 gallon bottles with a screw on lid, so they were a challenge. Tried lifting the bucket up, freakin heavy. Finally kept a power gel block packet in my pocket and put water in it. I felt I could hold a 3:07 today being fat and all, so aimed just above 7 min pace which felt real good. I wanted to keep some in the tank for tomorrow's marathon and tried not to get lead out by the lead guy running close to 6 pace. Fairly isolated experience since most runners are very conservative the first day. I didn't see another runner until catching up to the mass of half marathoners which is similar to the Ogden experience. I actually enjoyed this whole run. First marathon I can remember that was more like a run than my usual death fest. At mile 24 a guy shot out of nowhere from behind me going through a group of half marathoners and I took off after him. So stoked to see that I had plenty left. After passing him I finished in 2nd and found out that the guy ahead had run a 2:42. Insane. A guy out of the Flagstaff training group. Cool race. Different to run knowing that you have to consider two more marathons in the next two days. |