Another marathon down. I was way excited for this race just because of how my workouts and past races have went. I felt that I was more prepared then ever and put more miles in this year to gear up for STG. But unfortunately the race didn't go as planned. Just like last year I knew I needed to ease into the pace and just take the first couple miles as they come. Run the first have conservative and knock out the scond half with a negative split. So anyway I got up to the start and ran into James, Clyde, Steve, Dave. Chit chatted for a little bit, hit the secret bathroom and felt ready to go. Before the race talked with Scott, Justin and Riley briefly about race plan. My goal for me was to be about a minute back from them at the half due to the fact of the uphill portion of the race. I felt personally that if I could hit 1:14 for the first half I could go 1:11 in the second half and get my next goal in the marathon of 2:25. Gun went off and immediately the leaders took off. Since it was dark I just went with comfort and didn't even check my pace. At this point I was running with Dave, Clyde and Walter. First 2 miles were 5:52 and 5:54 a little slower then last year but wasn't panicky at all. I ended up going a little ahead of the group and started clipping off some miles 3-5 were 5:33; 5:26; 5:53. Mile 5 unfortunately was my first bathroom break and was hoping it to be my last. I think this is where my race was over just because I felt like I had to fight to get back into a rhythm again. Now I was running solo for about a mile. I ended up catching Clyde, Walter, and Dave and joined them for a couple of miles til Veyo Hill splits 6-8 were 5:28; 5:27; and Veyo was 6:19. By now it was Dave and I working again together just like last year. We ended catching a couple of runners which was good then Dave said he was going to hold back a little bit on the hills so I moved up about 100 yards ahead of him and started working with some kid. Didnt get his name, but talked with him for a little bit whiched helped with the miles to go fast. Miles 9-13 were 5:57; 5:46; 5:55; 5:41 and 5:30. Came though the half at 1:15.09 which was slower then I wanted but about 21 seconds faster then last year so I didn't panic to much from there. Saw Logan and he said to stay patient and the race will come to you again. From here out I wanted to hit under 5:35 pace for the rest of the race and get a solid neg split and hope to break the top 10 this year. Miles 14-18 were 5:29; 5:23; 5:28; 5:31 and 5:35. Still felt great, then I started going up the Ledges and hit the top and the again both Hamstring started tightening up hit 6:00 min flat for 19. Then between mile 19 and 20 my stomach went south again, bathroom break #2 was officially in the books. Mile 20 was 5:45 and mile 21 with bathroom break was 6:44. Lost a whole flippen minute! Now I knew my sub 2:25 was gone and was just fighting for sub 2:30. Dave passed me when I was in the bathroom now my goal was to try to latch on to him but my legs were gone. I honestly have never felt so much pain in my hamstrings before and it took me everything to finish this race and just to try to hit under 6:00 min/pace for the last 4 miles. 22-26 was 5:53; 5:53; 5:58; 6:22 and 6:38. At mile 24 it took me everything I had mentally and physically to finish this race. My mind was telling me to stop and so was my hamstrings I feel lucky now I as I type this that I even finished. I ended up a 2:32:58 for my marathon and nontheless even though it wasn't a bad time I am way dissapointed needless to say. I have high hopes of a 2:25 and just upset that I didn't achieve that today. For now I feel like I need to get my hamstring issue figured out for this is 2 marathons that this has effected me in before I race another marathon. Also I just want to personally congratulate Fritz for another amazing performance in his race. He simply amazes me for how consistent he is with his marathons. Awesome win! Also Scott Keate for having the performance of the day with an amazing 2:22 finish. Justin with another PR. Riley for getting that sub 2:30, for him definitely more of those to come. Dave for breaking 2:30 again and Clyde for nailing a 2:35 on a broken foot! | 