Great day for a race. Everything came together. Weather started in the 40's and a bit overcast. The winds were definitely strong, yet not a factor until the last 5 miles. Here's the splits as best as I can remember:
Mile 2: 13:50 (somehow missed the 1st mile marker...fully stopped to take a drink and decided to sacrifice 3-5 seconds every 2 miles to do this...I believe it paid off in the long run)
Mile 3: 20:55 (felt great, but decided to slow down a tad)
Mile 5: 35:20 (somehow missed 4 mile marker...someone said a spectator took it)
10k: 44 minutes (somehow missed mile 6)
Mile 7: 49:35
Miles 8-12: kept steady pace...nothing too interesting...stilling feeling great
* Halfway point: 1:33 on the nose (felt really good, but decided to treat the next 2-3 miles very cautiously...mini-mini-Heartbreak)
Mile 14: 1:40:10
Mile 15: 1:47:20
Mile 16: 1:54:35
Mile 17: 2:01:50
Mile 18: 2:09:15
Mile 19: 2:16:40
Mile 20: 2:23:00 (at this point, knew I was going to get the BQ)
Mile 21: 2:30:00 (now we began to hit a very aggressive headwind, my system felt great, but my legs really began to have to work)
Mile 22: 2:38:00 (I actually stopped for about 20 seconds to not only take a gu, but drink 2 cups of water...think it really paid off)
Mile 23-26: stopped paying attention to the time...just focussed on keeping each mile around 7:30...do remember doing mile 26 in 7 minutes
Finishing time: 3:10:30 (was able to sprint at the end and passed about 10-12 folks on the track, including the 3:10 pacers)
My family was all at the finish, cheering wholeheartedly. Although my legs were a bit sore, my energy level was sky high and I felt like I could run another five miles. Many folks seemed to be struggle with the headwind, during the final 5 miles and I probably passed 30-40 runners. The only folks who passed me were the 3:10 pacing group, but I passed them at the end (sorry if it sounds like bragging...but it did feel good). It was all so exhilerating.
A few huge thank you's: first and foremost to God for good health and my family for 100% support...secondly, Ed who joined me, trained with me and at age 52 today ran a 3:17...thirdly, to Sasha for setting up this blog- the access to elite training regiments made an incredibly huge difference...and lastly, to so many folks on this blog who gave such consistent encouragement- noteworthy- Jeff, Jim, Todd, and Robert. I finished the day with a meal at Cheesecake Factory, including a chocolate, peanut butter, cookie dough slice of heaven to go. Plan to go hit the hotel's swimming pool with family right now, and return to eat dessert just in time for the Red Sox game 7 (my wife was shocked to see me turn it off last night at 10:15 w/a 2-2 score). This week I planned to register for the Boston Marathon. No running this week...but I'll be back at it dedicating the next month to getting faster.
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