I'll update later. But 2:41:49 and 4th if you're wondering.
Here's the rundown. It was a loooong bus ride up. Longer than I thought it would be. Not that it had an effect on my race, but I just wasn't expecting it. The start was a little windy and cool. I saw Sasha and some other FRB guys and girls. I was relaxed and excited. Mile 1: Went out fast, probably too fast, but I felt good. I ran with the top 4 runners for most of the first mile and then decided to back off. Still hit about 5:36 Mile 2,3,4: Ran by myself, could see the group of three in front at most turns. I was still curious as to how I would feel. I never really know until a few miles in. Took my first PowerGel at 4 (this is the earliest ever for me, the plan was 3 in the first 11 miles). I was running 5:50's consistently at this point. THE NEXT PART IS AT LEAT PG-13, if not R Mile 5 and 6: Somewhere in here I went pee while running. I'd never done it before, but no one was around, so I pulled my shorts down and sort of hopped for 50 yards. I was impressed that I had this skill. NOTE: sorry for the rest of the runners, I tried to get it off the road as much as possible, sorry if I missed. Hit 10k somewhere around 36ish Miles 7-10: I did not feel good. I felt okay, bt not good. I couldn't control my breathing and I started having some bad spots. Generally, I usually don't feel anything until after 13 in a marathon, so I was worried. I tried to back off and relax, didn't help. Took another PowerGel at 7, stomach started feeling crappy (also early for this). Hit 10 mile in 58:something. Still moving along well and still some downhill to go. At this point, I made the decision to just keep pushing even though I didn't feel great. I figured what the hell, I'll just try to PR anyway. Somewhere between 11-13 I ran a 5:40 mile and then a 5:48 on mile 14. Maybe it was t he downhill, who knows. At this point, I'm not feeling any worse or any better. Halfway point right around 1:17ish (the results have this incorrect) Erica (my wife) was at 14. She gave me some GU and some support. 14-18 are honestly a blur. I can't remember what they were like, only that I was tired but still running close to 6:00 pace. There weren't a lot of people and the sun came out. I thought things could get ugly, but they didn't. Erica got me again at 18, and gave me more GU (this was a PR for me, almost 4 GU's/PowerGels in a marathon and I'd have a fifth later). She also informed me that I was only 25 seconds out of 4th place. It's funny b/c I never even thought of catching anyone and hadn't really been paying attention to what was in front of me. By 19, I saw the guy in front of me (Eric something) and it didn't give me new life. I thought it might, but at this point I was wondering if my last 10k would be 45 minutes or 55 minutes. I caught Eric at 20 and thank god he ran with me. He said he needed help. I said I needed help too. We shared the lead, spoke at least 10 words per mile to each other (not that he wasn't friendly, but we were both hanging on.) Crossed 20 miles in just over 1:59 By this point I am running 6:20-6:40 pace and it was all I had. I didn't feel like I couldn't make it, but my hammys were toast and I was honestly just hanging in there. We made it through 22 and then Eric fell back. Without him, I would have fallen off the map at 20. He really did save me. For me, from 22 on I can make it usually, it just might be slow. But 20-22 is my barrier. The last few miles were painful but bearable. I was running 6:45-7:00 at this point, but I was happy with it. My shot for a PR(2:37) had been gone by 22 but this would be my 2nd best time ever, so I was pleased. At 23, I saw some FRB guys who cheered me on. THat actually helped for a couple minutes, the idea that you're running for something other than just yourself. The last miles, as always, were grueling, and I was by myself. I never saw Sasha, who was in 3rd. I finished in the usual haze and painful limp run, but I didn't walk, and I didn't completely crash. To be totally honest, my training suffered in the last month leading up the marathon and 2:41 was probably all I could do. I am very happy with the time and with my effort. Maybe in a few days I'll even start running again. Special thanks to: Erica for all her support. Eric ..... for running with me from 20-23 The FRB guys I saw at mile 23 who cheered me on. AND congrats to FRB, I think 2nd place was FRB and Sasha was 3rd. OUT for now. Steve GL TO ALL ST. GEORGIES OUT THERE. | 