What a race. Marlin and I took our camper down to stay in. That in itself was an experience. It was fun being down by finish line. I was glad we could just walk up to the buses. Happy we didn't take the first buses because it was wet from the start. Once we got up there we found a firepit to hang out at. Everyone one was pretty quite. I think just trying to stay dry and warm. I've never seen so many garbage bags and ponches in one spot! I had dressed in layers and when it was time to go to the start I made a last minute decision to take off my long sleeve shirt. I looked around to see how everyone else was dressed and knew it was a gamble. But, I am someone that overheats so thought maybe, just maybe I'd be ok. I was hoping that it'd quit raining and had alot of hope there would be some kind of sun or break in the clouds.
I was actually really happy with my pace when I was running. Anywhere between a 8:00 - 8:40 pace. But, knew I was blowing it at the aid stations. For the first half I felt alright. But, I felt that my pace started to go all over the place. Mentally I couldn't focus like I normally can. At mile 17 I finally had to stop at the aid station to regroup. I had been having a difficult time opening my gu's for awhile by then and was just so wet from the rain. After using the PP I thought I might be ok and finish at an ok time. I had expected more downhill the last 6 miles so I was disappointed. I still felt alright at mile 20 and knew I had an hour to go 6 miles. I still had hope to make it under 4 hours. I had wished to be further along, but, thought I could maybe pull it off. At mile 22 I started to really get sore and tired. There's always those people that can feel rain coming in their bones. Well, I sure did feel sore and cold to the bone. I've never experienced something like that before and it kept getting worse, very fast. I had felt it during the race but didn't pay much attention to it. At mile 24 I was so ready to be done. I kept thinking about advice I always give my kids. And, kept thinking 'just want to make them proud'. The race was really for them at the end. I last mile or so I was pretty dissapointed because I could see Boston wasn't going to happen. I had no energy or momention to try and pick it up. But, it's ok. I finished. At the finish line there was Marlin (like always) with my stuff. I was go glad he was there because I was sore! My hips had had enough. I just needed to get warm. We went back to the camper and turned on the heat. I was so glad to start to feel like a normal person again.
With such horrible conditions everyone did amazingly great!!! This was my first marathon since Boston last year and I think I'd rather have the heat than be so wet and cold. | 