Started out at 7:10 pace with the group that was running 3:10. Tried to stick with them and did great for the first 13 but then my calves started to cramp up. I stopped for a minute to stretch them out but soon realized they were gone. Insufficient miles in the bank... I will not forget how those first 13 felt though. My stride felt so smooth and easy for the pace we were going. I think the difference was in the length and foot plant. It seemed as though I was planting my foot more directly under my body as opposed to slightly out in front of me. My knees, which had been bothering me lately felt great and like I said, the pace felt much easier.
Struggled through the rest and felt very awkward and ashamed as I got in to st george and could barely move. Running in front of all those people struggling the way I was is not the way I had pictured it in the weeks leading up to the marathon. Lesson learned, log more miles! | 