Race day conditions: 45 degrees and overcast.
Miles 1-4: 6:42, 6:42, 6:52, 6:54 I was feeling pretty good. I just wanted to stay with Joe Bell as long as I could I wanted to BQ today. My training mileage came up a little short of what I wanted to put in, so I knew the end would be tough. Joe and I had a very relaxed start, just chatting along the way. It felt really comfortable.
Miles 5-8: 7:00, 6:46, 6:42,6:38 Still feeling relaxed. There was another runner that joined Joe and I. He was a little youger. This was his first run longer than a 10k. We started through Heritage Park, which was on paved trails.
Miles 9-12: 6:41, 6:47, 7:00, 7:07 Going into mile 10, I feel like the pace is starting to tax me a little. about half way through 11, I break away from the group and let of the gas just a little. I still feel good, I just know that this is not a pace that I'm going to be able to maintain. These miles are also up hill gaining about 100 feet in elevation.
Miles 13-16: 7:33, 7:46, 7:22, 7:03 Mile 13 and part of 14 is up hill (about 50 more feet). 1:30:06 for the half way mark (PR for any half that I've ran). I go from feeling good to ok. I remember the thought going through my head, "just keep the pace under 8 minutes" A few more paved trail runs which were nice and wooded blocking the wind, but the turn were very tight.
Miles 17-20: 7:45, 7:38, 7:51, 7:59 I see my mom, dad, my brother Aaron, Heidi, and the kids between 16 and 17. I was not expecting to see my parents or my brother. This was a definite lift at the right spot too. I have gone from ok to not quite ok. My legs are feeling it now. 2:22:42 for 20. I missed my mark by 2 minutes 42 seconds. Still thinking, no 8's and I'll be ok.
Miles 21-24: 8:09, 8:00, 8:09, 8:29 The 3:05 pace group passes me in mile 21, I try to hang with them for a while. Now my thought shifts from no 8's to don't let this pace group out of site. There are about a dozen or so in the group. Staying with them only last for maybe a half mile. I can't will my legs to go any faster. However, I still know that I have a chance, the 3:10 group is still behind me. The 3:10 'group' which consists of the pacer and a Marathon Maniac and thats it, passes me in mile 23 coming out of Central Park. The pacer tells me he is about 45 seconds fast. I think the 3:05 group was a little behind also. Reguardless, I can't keep pace.
Miles 25, 26, 0.2: 9:46, 9:25, 1:45(8:30pace) I think at this point I was mentally drained and just wanted to see the finish line. Aaron runs the last 2 tenths with me. I PR by 8 minutes! Boston will have to wait until another day.
Over all, I feel good about the race. It is my PR. Joe Bell sets a PR and BQ-8. We go out for a nice celebratory meal. The family wants to get inside to warm up.
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