Philippians 4:13

So close yet so far...here is the story! 2:32:45 so about 30 seconds slower than my 7 year old PR and did not make my 2:30 target but I am very happy with the race.  1:18:06 first half (too slow, targeting 1:16-1:17), 1:14:39 second half.

Thankful that God gave me the strength to have a really good marathon year and especially at this race!  Phillipians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength".

Got up around 3:15 and we head out the park around 4:30am.  I had coffee, pop tarts, banana and Immodium (it works!) before leaving.  Alana, Curt, Gama and I headed out and Kami was going to the bring the kids to the finish line.

We got the rec center and used the facilities then ran into the FRB gang (great to see everyone again!).  We waited for Craig and his sister and her friend and didn't see them so we headed to the buses and found them in line.  Rode up the start and then hit the PoPs.  Cool and a tail wind in Central...nice!  Warmed up a bit then dropped off bags and had to wait an additional 20 minutes to wait for the late buses...brr!  Lined up with Craig, FRB guys and other fast runners! Craig and I said a prayer and got ready to roll.

1 - 5:44  Took off easy and was running comfortably with several others.

2 - 5:58 Saw Justin and Trevor, Matt as they took off.

3 - 5:47  Still running well and controlled.  I was running with a guy named Jake who first ran SGM 20 years ago when he was 12!

4 - 5:40  Nice and contolled and trading places back and forth with a few guys.

5 - 5:47 Jason Howe passes me and we chat.  Still running easy and controlled in the nice weather.

6 - 5:36  Heading down the hill towards Vejo and just crusing.

7 - 5:32 I grab my first bottle and PowerBar Gel (the volunteers were awesome with the bottles everytime during the race and so supportive).  A little boost before the hill.  Jason stops to walk at the water station and I never see him again.  I see Reed Seamons just ahead as we hit the hill and run together for a bit before he falls back.  Another guy in white (John G) passes me and we will trade places back and forth for the rest of the race.

8 - 6:40 Patient up the hill trying not to push too hard and fry my legs.

9 - 6:16 Still running easy to conserve something for the downhills to come.

10 - 6:18 Man, the hills are getting old!

11 - 6:30  Grab my second bottle and PowerBar Gel and here some foot steps behind me, expecting it to be Jason.  It is Martin who is running well.  Puts some fear into me to push more the next mile.

12 - 6:00  Starting to run better and seeing the guy in white coming back to me.  Dropping Martin a bit and getting ready to pick it up.

13 - 5:43  A better mile and separating from Martin.  Ready to go for it and get the guy in white.  John G. is about a minute up on me at this point.

14 - 5:46  Starting down the hills ready to roll.  Legs feeling good.  I hit the half at 1:18:08 so I am about 1 1/2 minutes off my target and know the sub-2:30 is in real jeopardy but will try to go hard!

15 - 5:19  A nice mile and catch John G.  See another runner coming back!  Grab another bottle and PowerBar Gel.

16 - 5:22  Still rolling and catching the runner, the winner from the Ibigawa marathon last year.  Good crowd support through here and it is beautiful scenery.

17 - 5:35  Rolling down the hill and separating from the other runners.  Starting to get warm and dumping water over my head regularly.

18 - 5:39  Still pacing well but John G. is moving back up on me.  Still being patient.

19 - 6:07 John G. catches and passes but does not get away.  Grab another bottle and PowerBar Gel.

20 - 5:47  Roll pass John G. again and keep pushing.

21 - 5:27  Ok, nice fast mile on the dowhill.  Really pulling away from John G. now.

22 - 5:49  Dang, where did that hill come from!  I just hope John is not moving up on me.  A guy yells to me to "Go get him", get who? I can't see anyone in front of me.

23 - 5:36  Another strong mile as I roll onto Bluff St.  I now know that 2:30 is gone, but I am hoping to stay on PR pace.

24 - 5:38  Last fast mile coming into town and trying to stay strong.  Legs are starting to feel it.

25 - 5:50 I make the turn off Bluff and the wheels start to fall off.  Pushing with what I have left, afraid that I was going to get passed.  I know that I am in 3rd master and 17th and want to stay strong.  After the turn at the 24 mile mark, I look forward to see where we make a right and think "I have to run all that way?"

26 - 5:52 I make a wrong turn on 300 S looking for 400 S (mind not working so good here) and lose about 10 seconds as the spectators yell at me and get me back on course.

0.2 - 1:24  Death march.  Breathing so loud I am scaring small children and my legs feel like they are going to buckle (since they are jelly!) and I am willing myself forward to the finish line.  Trying desperately to push to make sure I keep ahead of the fast runners coming hard behind me.

Overall a really good race for me.  It was awesome to see most my friends do so well.  Craig, Curt, Alana, Alisa, Gama, Ron, Dave, Clyde, Ben, Justin, Martin, and too many more to try to name.  Several folks went for it and came up short but showed character in their efforts.

Had a good time at the finish line getting a massage and saying hi to friends and other racers.  Thanks to my family for sticking around (while desperately wanting to get back to the pool).

Afterwards relaxed by the pool then went to Craig's 40th birthday party and his house and the familes all had a great time together (kids had so much fun!).  Hit the sack early for the early departure and long drive back to IF on Sunday.