My Garmin read 26.35, weird.
Today I was a pacer for TOU. I paced the 3:05 group, and finished in 3:04:38. I also got a PR by 5:11. Overall it went really well, and I am satisfied with the results. I felt like I was holding myself back for all but 3 miles, and I still got a PR.
I guess it's time to finish my entry for TOU. I have never felt so prepared going into a marathon as I did for this one. This was my 7th marathon, and I had no doubt that I could get 3:05 which was going to be a PR by about 5 minutes. I have been consistent in my training and listened to my body. If I felt extra sore or had an injury I went to the pool or rode a bike rather than just resting or fighting through the pain. At the start line when people asked if I had to prove that I could run 3:05 by doing a couple times before, most were shocked that I was pacing for a PR, but I absolutely knew I was going to be able to do it. Based off my half marathon time a month ago and my workouts, I think a 2:55 wouldn't have been out of the question. Long story short: As pacers we weren't allowed to be more than 2 minutes ahead of a positive split at the half way mark if we wanted to be able to pace again. When I got to mile 12 I saw that mile 13 was going to have to be pretty slow in order to not have started too fast. I was looking at my watch often, and I knew I was ahead of pace the whole time, but not by much. I told the group running with me that 13 was going to be slow. One of them ran ahead to use the bathroom, and the others took an easy mile with me. Up to that point all the miles had been under 7:00, and 13 was 7:14, I felt like I was almost at a walking pace. I got to the half way mark at 1:30:38, 8 seconds in the green. Now that I was good to pace future races, I could get back to running what felt easy and relaxed, while watching my speed to make sure it was a good pace for those that 3:05 was their goal. Longer Story Short: by mile 18 I was still feeling great. I was having fun and trying to encourage those running with me. By mile 24 a kid that had literally been at my side the whole way started to drop back. I tried to talk him into keeping it up, but he dropped back and finished about 4 minutes after me. I finished in 3:04:38, a PR by 5:11, and it felt easy the whole way (probably how pacing should feel). After the race I had several people come up and thank me for helping them reach their goal. Last year nobody said anything to me (I finished alone). I am glad I was smart about my training, and I am hoping I can be smart again and get a huge PR next year. I am also blessed to have a great family that supports me. I was one of the few runners that had fans in the canyon. My Mom and Brother were on their bikes in the canyon, and both kept riding ahead to cheer me on throughout the race. My Wife was at several spots on the course with our son cheering me on. My Dad and Sister were in a car driving to many spots to give me support (not food or drink, just cheers). my sister in law and her 5 kids were at a few spots to encourage me. The people running with me kept mentioning how I had a lot of fans. It really does help to have people cheering for you, and I have proof from the Ogden Half. This was my fastest, easiest, and funnest marathon. But training was my hardest, most frustrating, and by far the most rime consuming.
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