Last minute decision to race this marathon today. I wanted to get a BQ for both 2022 and 2023 without having to rely on Boston in 2 weeks. This is the rare double dip window. Knew I had the option to turn in early at the half marathon if I wanted, so that helped. Good prep all week, weather looked decent at the start, was going to get warm but low humidity. Got started with the race really slowly, it seemed like my body just didn't have it, I felt like I might even cash it in at the half marathon, got really negative talk going on when at about mile 6 or 7 I caught the sub 3:00 pace group and ran with them for 2-3 miles, they were so positive and uplifting, that really changed my attitude around. I decided reluctantly at mile 9 to leave them behind because I wanted more cushion than a sub-3 would give, I dropped it to 6:30 pace and stayed there for pretty much the whole race, negative splitting the marathon by a minute and 30 seconds. THe last 10k was brutal, and I definitely hurt, but I got it done. 2:54:46 officially, a BQ by 10+ minutes and should have punched my ticket for 2022 and 2023. Worth the pain and a beautiful marathon on a spectacular course to boot!
Splits: 6:55, 6:42, 6:55, 6:42, 6:39, 6:47 (42:30, 6:51 pace at the 10k officially), 6:44, 6:51, 6:39, 6:39, 6:28, 6:35, 6:27 (1:28:11, 6:44 pace at the half officially), 6:36, 6:33, 6:33, 6:38, 6:33 (that's 4 locked in miles!), 6:31, 6:30 (2:13:29, 6:41 pace at 20 miles officially), 6:20 (fastest mile of the race at 21), 6:30, 6:33, 6:29, 6:57, 7:02, 2:03 for change (41:18, 6:39 pace last 10k officially), 2:54:46, 6:41 pace overall
Pretty sore afterwards but worth it!
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