I really hadn't put in the training I should've for this race, so I didn't have very high expectations. This ended up being a really enjoyable race.
The weather was perfect. I couldn't have asked for it to be any better. I wanted to finish in under 4 hours. I probably could've finished 5-10 minutes faster, but I wanted this to be a good experience and it was.
When the gun went off, I was stuck behind the 5 1/2 hour group. It took awhile to break through the crowds. At mile 5 I caught up to the 3:45 pacer. Then I took a bathroom break and lost them. I caught up to the 3:45 pacer again at mile 10 right before I took my second bathroom break. I didn't see that group again. I had one more POP stop at mile 14, then I was good for the rest of the race. I tried to just really take in the scenery and enjoy the race. It is seriously the most beautiful place to run.
I walked a lot. I would spint for several minutes, then walk for 20-30 seconds. I don't know why I do that. I know it's all mental. It really was nice to feel so good after the race.
My splits from my garmin (which were off from the mile markers) were: 9:02, 8:16, 8:02, 7:57, 8:05, 9:41(POP), 8:08, 8:01, 8:26, 8:23, 10:59(POP), 8:41, 8:44, 9:25, 11:11(POP), 8:53, 8:45, 8:53, 8:40, 8:51, 9:12, 8:28, 8:43, 9:15, 9:30, 9:46, and 9:02(for the last .43).
I drank at every aid station. I had a GU at miles 5, 11, 17 and 23.
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