Thanks to Larry and Paul for getting me a late entrance to the Marathon. Larry I didn't go sub 3 so I probably wont name my next child Larry. And big thanks to my good High School buddies Tom & Kim for letting us stay with them.
This was a nice marathon because I had no great expectations because I hadn't train properly for it and I only got the late invite 2 weeks before the race. So my goals were to try to assist Tom in going sub 3 through the 1st half of the marathon and then enjoy the rest even if it ment walking part of the second half. I figured I had about a 2% chance of going sub3, a 23% of going sub 3:10 and a 50% chance of going between 3:10 and 3:20 and a 25% chance of going over 3:20.
Sorry guys, I was praying for cool temperatures even if it meant rain. I really didn't want the wind that came with it. I run much better in cool temperatures and I was loving the way the rain was keeping me cool. I'm probably the only won that liked the rain.
Race results: 39th in age division out of 373. 216th of 2845 males.
Mile 1 - 7:06 (started a little slow, to much congestion, but no worries, it is fine to start easy)
Mile 2 - 6:59 (still dark and wet. Trying to get in the rythum of running in the rain)
Mile 3 - 6:42 (Road is opening up good, getting a bit lighter. Time to start hitting the splits)
Mile 4 - 6:33 (wind blowing just enough to make hitting the splits harder)
Mile 5 - 6:47 ( I carried two banana halfs. Ate one at mile 5 and the next at mile 10)
Mile 6 - 6:25
Mile 7 - 6:26 (Seems we are missing Tom's target miles by a few seconds every mile.)
Mile 8 - 7:54
Mile 9 - 7:43
Mile 10 - 7:24 (ate other half of banana)
Mile 11 - 7:34 (saw Nathan, he passed us looking strong. He said Paul was just behind him)
Mile 12 - 7:16
Mile 13 - 6:56 ( I was glad I was still feeling good at the half. I new it wouldn't last but I was hoping it would)
Mile 14 - 7:03
Mile 15 - 6:35
Mile 16 - 6:28
Mile 17 - 7:11 (after the last 2 down hill miles my quads were complaining. Giving me the early warning signs of cramping up. I decide to let Tom go. As I slowed a bit Tom didn't leave me fast enough.
Mile 18 - 8:27 ( I took a bathroom break and walked a little, trying to get the quads to relax a bit. I couldn't see Tom anymore. Hoping he was cranking good)
Mile 19 - 8:01
Mile 20 - 7:35 ( Took a few 20 second walk breaks the rest of the way and ran easy hoping the legs wouldn't cramp up. They were compaining but weren't grabbing yet.)
Mile 21 - 7:08
Mile 22 - 7:53 ( I thought finally by good buddy Tom was going to beat me in a race)
Mile 23 - 8:16 (another bathroom break)
Mile 24 - 7:35 (Started to think maybe my legs won't cramp up but I decided I'd wait until the last mile to really test them.)
Mile 25 - 7:28
Mile 26 - 6:46 (Just before I started the big push I saw Tom and Marci. They were going slow and I thought my legs could hold out for a mile. I passed them and wonder if Tom could push with me. I had plenty of energy my legs we the ones that didn't want to run. Tom didn't come along. Unfortunatley, I took great delight in knowing that I was able to beat Tom. Someday, I'll be more saintly and won't have such thoughts.)
Mile 26.2 - 1:50 (My calves started grabbing the last quarter mile. They almost tripped me up, I looked behind me cause I had to slow down making sure Tom wasn't near.) Yea!! I finished!! I still had plenty of energy, was smiling and happy, it was my legs that didn't like going 26 miles.
I loved seeing Tom and Kim getting out of their Van and walking to the Condo. Very slow and very sore looking. They even went out of there way to take the elevator to the 2nd floor when the stairs were much closer. Funny!!!
Kim did great for her 1st marathon with such adverse conditions before the race and during the race.
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