Race day came. I slept well until about 2:38 when I woke up and then struggled to get back to bed. Oh well. Got my oatmeal and two cups of coffee. Which after going 14 days with no caffeine that was heavenly. 27º at race start, which was cold. Mild wind which was nice until the bridge (more on that later). I got down to the starting area without issue and chatted with a few people as they shivered. I talked to #6. He was Ethiopian and very smooth even with how he walked. I though, this guy might be the winner. (he finished 2nd)
Race started and the first mile is flat, but the next 5 are slightly uphill. I planned on running easy at first and conserving energy even if that meant falling a bit behind. That went as scripted. 7:40, 7:40, 7:43, 7:39, 7:30, 7:51. The next mile was all downhill and I just wanted to put forth the same effort, but make up the time. 6:59 Boom. Right on track. The next 10 miles are a series of rolling hills. Nothing killer, but enough to make you work. I wanted to save energy for mile 16, the bridge which is the biggest hill I was told. Again, just went steady just holding back a hair 7:39, 737, 744, 7:47, 7:46, 7:36, 7:43, 7:29, That was some of the prettiest parts of the marathon. James river was pretty sweet and very nice to run by, although it made it colder. Then the Bridge at 16. It wasn't that big of a hill honestly. It just seemed to last for over a mile. That combined with a headwind that was not felt at all during the twisty parts by the river made it tough. The wheels did not come off, but I struggled on the bridge. 8:12 Ugly. The next two miles we slightly up hill and I could not get myself as far down as I hoped. 7:55, 7:49. I studied the elevation chart well, but somehow I was not getting the downhills I expected for the next several miles to match the rolling uphills. They were mild, but I felt them. 7:49, 7:37, 7:59, 7:44, 7:55, 7:49, 7:52, 7:45. The last mile I was told was all downhill. Not quite, but the last .6 were a steep downhill. I was a little annoyed I couldn't push it harder. 7:37. 1:24 for the .22 (6:57) rounded out the run. 3:22:06. I am satisfied with the results. Not the killer race I wanted, but I am still happy I did not give up or into the cold/fading legs. So good enough for now, I can build off the experience. :)
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