Overall: 542 of 5617 finishers (top 10%), Men 45-49: 61 of 370 I'm satisfied, even somewhat pleased. Not thrilled. Not really too disappointed. Basically, I think I pulled out the time my training had earned me, but no faster. I ran 3:07 two years ago, 3:11 last year in the rain, and now 3:18 in near ideal conditions this year. My training has been okay this year, but definitely down from the previous two years. I think one of the prime reasons was my job change last November. At Novell I would run two-a-days twice a week - an easy run in the morning with the neighborhood guys (9:00/mi-ish), then a second more up tempo run with the Novell guys or solo at noon (7:30-8:00-ish). With my new job I haven't found a way to work in the noon runs yet, hence fewer overall mile and fewer up tempo miles. I decided on a "no risk, no reward" approach and started out on a 3:10 pace for the first 7 miles. I started feeling some tightness in my calves about mile 6...not good. I stopped twice during the race to have some Icy Hot applied.
I slipped to be
being on pace for 3:15 after the hills of Veyo and Dammeron Valley. I
hoped to be able to hang on for the 3:15, but by mile 16 my legs had lost their zip and my hip (which has bothered me all year) started hurting again. I could tell
the last 10 miles were going to be a mental struggle to just keep my
legs moving. My splits were: 7:13, 7:10, 7:00, 6:47, 7:01, 6:53, 6:53 - These miles felt pretty good. Part of me wanted to go faster, but I held back slightly knowing I didn't have the training in to support it.
8:21, 7:51, 8:08, 8:11, 7:59 - I intentionally took it easy on the hills, but I was beginning to feel myself tiring.
7:26, 7:36, 7:12, 6:41, 7:14 - I managed to pick the pace up again, but a little slower than before the hills. By the end of these miles I knew I was entering "just hang on" mode.
7:36, 8:19, 7:30, 7:44, 8:10, 8:09 - Hanging on. I just tried to keep my legs turning over. The uphills felt hard, and couldn't push the downhills much.
7:32, 8:02, 8:06, last 0.2 at 6:59/mi - The crowds the last few miles were a great boost. I slapped the extended hands of the kids whenever I got the chance trying to draw energy out of them. I tried to balance focusing on moving forward with enjoying the experience and smiling now and then. It was great seeing my wife and daughters shortly before the final left turn and the last stretch to the finish. I passed a few and got passed by a few but couldn't really put on much of a kick...that is until I got in the chute. I had just told myself there was no reason to kill myself when I guess my sub-conscious disagreed and I found myself kicking hard for the finish. It was strange. It's like my body just took over and I was along for the ride. I am very happy for running friends, some of whom I used to be able to run with and even beat occasionally, that finished well ahead of me today with awesome performances...Marci 3:15, Josse 3:12, Jessi 3:10, Rich 3:10, Hal 2:59, Nathan 2:57, RivertonPaul 2:51. The only real regret I had today was that I was in the portapotty at mile 14 when Josee passed me. I was grateful she yelled, "Paul, Josse is passing you." as she went by, but I felt bad. I hate it when I'm working hard to catch someone and then they stop right before I pass them. I felt bad I had unknowingly done this to Josse. She had earned the right to pass me in person as I was running my best. I saw her ahead after I got out, and tried to catch her for a couple of miles (7:12, 6:41), but she was just too fast.
I think the thing I enjoyed the most today was the weather...perfect temperatures...and no rain! As I said earlier, I feel good about my run. I worked hard to pull out all that my training allowed, end endured well through some very tough miles. For me, I race for the adventure, not just the finish time. I enjoy facing challenges, approaching my limits, and seeing how I will respond. I run for the lifestyle. Besides the physical and mental healh benefits, the greatest benefit is that most of my friends, including my best friends, I have met and associate with through running. Runners are good people. Whether you set a PR, ran another average marathon, simply endured to the end, or even DNF-ed, congratulations for choosing to challenge and getting out and living. | 