This is my first Marathon. Official time 2:55:29, 16th place overall. So happy with this.
Stayed in Providence last night with wonderful family, and actually slept a few hours. It was so nice to have a good place to stay. The forecast was looking wet and cold at the start but I really wasn't too worried about it. Up early and had a good breakfast. Busing was stellar and organized. I picked the wrong seat and sat with the heater vent. Made me a little queasy but I got over it when we got dropped off.
It was brisk at the start and misting rain. About 5 minutes before start it's a downpour. I am so thankful I trained in it this summer ;), it didn't phase my mental at all. I had my rain proof windbreaker so I started in it. The rain stopped at mile 3 and it looked like it might hold so I put the jacket in the drop box at mile 3 and went. Not the best idea because we pretty much got hammered by the down pour off and on from mile 6 to mile 18. Again, so thankful I trained in it. The best thing I did in training for this is to not touch the treadmill, at all.
I took 4 Hammer gels throughout the race, at miles 7, 13, 17, and 22. I spilt an accelerade powder into baggies and bit them into the cups at miles 19 and 23. This worked very well. I only drank water at the aide stations, no gatorade. Also, I finally got it down how to drink on the run! I didn't turn on the music until the halfway point, this also worked well. It was a big boost waiting :).
The 10 mile split was 1:06 and I was feeling good. Hit the half in 1:26, and the 20 in 2:12. I was feeling good at that point but about halfway up this hill on mile 20 I came face to face with "the beast." I have never encountered it before. It is very real, and very determined. We had a heck of a battle for the next 4 miles. Fear and doubt entered the mind, my body wanted to quit. I walked a couple aide stations and really had to dig deep. I kept telling myself that those I could see up ahead were in the same or worse condition as I was. Finally, when I hit 24 I told it to go away, out loud, and that I was going to catch those I could see and finish strong... so I did :). I was a little bummed about not sneaking in below 2:55 but it's my first one, and now I have a reference point to build from. The next one will be much faster.
I did not get passed by one person the entire race. Going out under control and not pushing until the later tired miles proved to be most effective. I picked off at least 15 people the second half of the race. :)
Coming through the crowds the last mile and a half was such an incredible feeling. I will never forget it. My wife was waiting close to the finish, as soon as I saw her I raised my hand and ran in it. I have been on cloud nine ever since.
I am so thankful for the gift that is running. I am equally greatful to all of the people who support me, and those that inspire and challenge me. I am officially Boston bound and am a sub 3 marathoner! WooT!
Splits according to Garmin (it said 26.48): 6:42, 6:39, 6:36, 6:37, 6:31, 6:24, 6:39, 6:28, 6:24, 6:29, 6:23, 6:24, 6:17, 6:24, 6:18, 6:27, 6:29, 6:47, 6:46, 7:22, 6:32, 6:47, 7:20, 6:51, 6:47, 6:47, last .48 was 3:17
1st half 1:26:00, 2nd half 1:29:29. Garmin says 26.48 but whatever :).
It was great to see friends and make some new one's this weekend. I
met a couple of friends from Dailymile. Jeremy paced the 3:20 group and
struggled a bit. Trevor came in 7th overall. Saw my friend Dan Varga who
was pacing the 3:20 group, nice to talk to him before the race and
after, he is going to be great at St. George on October 1st. Got to see
Golden from Altra at the expo and finish, such a great guy. His family
has been a major help to me this year. Missed my friend David, he did
amazing in his first marathon, see you next time David! Also a huge
congrats to fellow Sojourners Marie and Rebecca. They ran 3:15 and 3:16
and placed 1 & 2 in their age group. Learned so much from them this
year. Also, Paul Peterson's maps and pacing chart were a big help. Got
to wish him well at the start. Great job to everyone who ran this, it
was a tough but amazing day!
