It was 75 degrees when Blake and I boarded the bus at 3:45 in the morning. At that point I had to make the decision to go for the sub 3 or to back off and still run a decent time. Some times you just have to throw caution to the wind and go for it. After all that is what I had been training for and I really didn't care if I blew up. It was cooler at the top of the mountain, but probaly in the low 50s. In past years, it's been in the 30s which is what I was expecting.
I felt pretty good at the start of the race and thought, maybe I could still pull off a sub 3. Through 6.55 miles I averaged 6:40/ mile. At the half it was 1:27:20 which is still exactly 6:40 per mile and I was feeling good. Maybe I can do this, I thought. Then the temps started climbing as the sun rose and I descended the mountain. After 19.65 miles, my averae pace was 6:46 which still had me going sub 3. Then on the 22 mile it all came crumbling down and I hit the wall, I could tell I was not going to make it and I threw in the towel and walked much of the last 5 miles. Finishing in 3:26:34.
If it had been a cooler day I think I could have come pretty close to finishing out at sub 3 pace, but it wasn't to be. I am glad I went for it though so I wouldn't question if I could have made it or not. Maybe next time.
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