So as a replacement race for NYC last weekend, I decided late Tuesday this week to do the Anthem Richmond (Virginia) Marathon. It was close in time to the race I had peaked for, and got reasonably good reviews on Marathon Guide. A bit gutted after this race. No excuses - just did not get it done under 3 hours after a solid effort. Trained very well - at least from an aerobic build-up stand-point - and I executed reasonably well in the race. First half was 1:28, but I think the rolling hills which pushed my HR a bit in the to red zone a few times eventually caught up to me between miles 20-21 and a slow fade saw my hopes for a sub 3 hour marathon fade with it. No question in my mind that I gave everything I had - as I was completely knackered afterwards and my HR data from my Garmin can confirm it. They had a pacer group for 3 hours with whom I ran for the first 8 miles and then I decided to pull away. The sole pacer was all over the place with his pacing - (sometimes too fast and other times too slow). After pulling away from them, I kept expecting the 3 hour group to pass me at the end, but they never did. They must have faded worse than me. :) With my string of 3-3:05's I should really consider pacing at a race some time - LOL. This was a very pretty race course for the most part - and had a series of rollers from miles 4 through about 17 which do not seem too significant viewed alone, but at least for me, I think the cumulative aspect of them is what may have been my downfall. The event was reasonably well organized and the weather was absolutely spectacular. On the positive side - this is my 3rd fastest marathon and my best in nearly 2 years. So the training is working. Just don't know if at age 46 if it is a race against father time that I am really losing.
| 