HEADWINDS!! Need I say more?! I know they really slowed me down, and seemed to have affected others I spoke with during the race. I had prepared for the distance, hills, and other adversities I knew I'd encounter with the event, but not the wind!
I really don't know the kind of race it would have been without the wind, but it really wore me out. I knew before the halfway point it wasn't going to be a fast day (relative to other years and courses) and just held on under the circumstances. By mile 20, I was toast. My legs no longer wanted to function and I kept looking forward to aid stations as an excuse to walk for a moment. I had no turnover and felt like I had lead weights attached to my legs. I maintained a jog, not run at best.
I'm glad I did this race today even though the results and overall experience was much less than I had hoped for. Over the last 6 years of marathoning, I have learned that some days things click or fall into place while others just are not ideal. I don't participate in these races because they're easy. I appreciate the challenges and am hard headed enough to see them through! | 