This was my 11th marathon, not the one that I planned but I am still happy about the result achieved (it was my goal C to go under 3:27). I was shooting for sub 3:15 but it was not in my legs today. This is the recap of the race: everything was perfect at 7:00 am we were at the starting area, cool temperatures around 8 degrees Celsius with a light breeze from the north. We entered the designated corrals at 8 and then at 9:07 we moved. The first 2 km were a little bit congested but I was happy to have a "wall" of people to block my stupidity and by mile 10 I was perfectly were I wanted to be on track for a 3:13-3:14 finish time. I passed the half with 1:36:40 and the whole system was fine, I was running smoothly and I was very proud not having pushed a faster pace, then all of a sudden in the next 5 km I started slowing down and by the 30th km I was in a total drama. I could not go under 5 min/km my breathing was fine but my legs were no longer cooperating with my will to push. I straggled until the end, I didn't give up but I watched my goal B slowly going away without having the possibility to fight and then I finished with the just one goal left. These are the emotions from the race: I was really looking forward to running this race after last year, it is an incredible feeling if you are born around Rome to have the honor to run on some the streets in downtown (where only cars are allowed), empty just for the race. After the start, the race goes through some residential areas not that beautiful, at mile 6 we rejoined the river Tiber and we followed it back and forth for the next 13 miles, sun and blue skies were just picture perfect and the entrance in the road leading to St Peter was just as special as last year. Approaching St. Peter was something really unique, it was the only place were the stream of people running in front of me looked so small in the vast emptiness of St. Peter square, after leaving that area and the half was behind we entered the no-man's land of a non descriptive area where no supporters were around until mile 20 when we re-entered Rome downtown. This part was full of supporting people, we run through many narrow streets and then through Piazza Navona, Via del Corso, Spanish steps, Fontana di Trevi and the scenery was great, the last two km took us around the Foro and the main archeological area until the arch of the last km had the Coliseum in the background, last hill around the Coliseum a short downhill and the finish line was in sight. Overall it was a great experience. Rome marathon is a hard marathon in spite of being a sea level flatish race, there are many ups and downs, sharp corners and the "official" 5 miles of uneven cobblestones make the race hard on your ankles. Only during the two Rome marathons I had at the end really bad calf cramps, I never experienced them before (after Ogden, Salt Lake, Des News and Park City) and I think cobblestones are responsible. I missed goal A and goal B and I consider my time only a partial consolation, I started this race with the sincere hope that under well 3:20 was easily achievable, but I learned that the word "easy" must not be used in the same sentence with "marathon". I missed the last month of training because the half marathon and a deadline at work. I am still a student in this field, I need more mileage and more mileage. In three weeks I will have a trail marathon, it won't be a redemption race more a fun/adventure race. Next road marathon next fall.
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