Well this was a great race, and I wrote about 2 pages of things I wanted to remember about, when my computer crashed. Don't trust a 5 year-old macbook.
This was by far the best I've done. A few weeks ago, I decided that I had a sub-3:05 in me, and thought it would be cool to try and qualify for Boston, even if I didn't get a fast enough to time to actually register. I also decided I did not have enough to get sub-3:00, so I am pretty satisfied with how I predicted my performance today. The first half I averaged a 7:05 pace, and for the full race I averaged a 6:58 pace, which I think aligns pretty well with the elevation profile of the race. Weather conditions seemed threatening at the start line, but the rain actually let up a few minutes before the race started, and there was little or no precipitation throughout the race and cooler temperatures than I've seen in the other two years that I've run this race. The winds were also low to nothing. I am happy with how I performed today in all aspects that are important to me (mental, physical, spiritual). When I approached the finish line, I had a pretty weak kick, but I didn't necessarily fade either so I view that as pacing the race pretty well. I don't think I could have squeezed any more than 10-20 seconds off of my time today.
Race nutrition before and during the race. Thursday: Breakfast was a can of tuna with cream of wheat. Lunch was quinoa with roasted butternut squash and zucchini. Snacks were carrots and a green apple. For dinner, Cheyenne and I split a Subway sandwich (turkey breast with ALL the veggies!) and some homemade no-knead bread that Cheyenne made that day. When we got to SLC, my aunt had made us a tuna casserole, which we had to eat since everything she makes is amazing. Also snacked on mini wheats. Friday (more grazing throughout the day than actually defined meals): after an easy 30 minute run, I had a little yogurt with a 1/2 cup of oatmeal squares (a Quaker brand cereal). Also splurged on some fresh-picked tiny tomatoes from my aunt's garden. Later I had some very hot quick oats mixed with peanut butter. On the drive from SLC to STG I had some more homemade bread (very herb-y), a green apple, and about 1/2 of a high-fiber bagel. At the expo, I had more than my fair share of the oat-y and nutty samples at the Clif bar vendor booth, and some additional samplings of honey stinger waffle at another vendor booth as well (perfect way to stay consistent with the "grazing"). For "dinner", 2 simple small Krusteaz pancakes with peanut butter and a little syrup. Later, 1/4 of the same kind of bagel with cream cheese. 15 minutes before bed: Significantly diluted hot chocolate made from the various ingredients instead of a mix (cocoa powder, cinnamon, and sugar). Race morning, a serving size of hot quick oats mixed with peanut butter. At the start line, a 1/3 cut of not-quite-ripe banana, an orange slice, and a cup of hot chocolate. I didn't eat or drink anything for 1.5 hours before the race started. During the race: approximately 1/6 of a gel packet at every mile marker, except I abstained at 3 or 4 markers where I felt like I definitely didn't need it. In total, almost 4 gel packets. Other than 2 gel packets, I didn't get anything except water at aid stations, and I got about 2-3 sips of water at EVERY station. I did the whole race with 2/2 breathing.
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