Very, very happy to report that I got exactly what I wanted out of this race. I realize that the time is not spectacular at all but it was exactly what I was looking for. Consistent effort and marathon paced tempo miles.
I decided I wanted to use this race as a mini Boston dress rehersal. I wanted to wear the shorts I plan on wearing at Boston, practice fueling, practice hydrating, just practice a few of the things I feel have hindering me in my marathons. And I am happy to report that everything went well. I tried fueling better and more before the race (normally I can barely stomach a measly 100 calorie granola bar) and I practiced drinking at every aide station and actually eating Gu before I am fatigued and not after. I know these silly little things are not important to most seasoned runners but I know they are elements that have slowed me down in past marathons.
With that said I'll try to keep the report short. Warmed up for 2 miles with Julia. As we were finishing we realized everyone was already lined up and the race was starting. woops! Started as soon as we got there literally!
The weather blessed me with a birthday miracle and it was incredibly calm until about mile 8 and I had completely changed my bad attitude about the race. I was just going to make the best of it. It was my freaking birthday afterall!
Mile 1: 7:10 feeling alright, gradual downhill to start. Cam met me to run because he wanted a good workout so we chatted and catched up.
Mile 2: 8:01 Holy crap should I call my Mom and Dad to come pick me up? All gradual uphill but effort felt the exact same as mile 1.
Mile 3: 7:18 Flattened out
Mile 4: 8:01 uphill, uphill, just keep the effort consistent that is your only goal!
Mile 5: 7:55 still going uphill. At this point I was not worries about pace just looking for consistant effort.
Mile 6: 7:49 started uphill and then flattened out.
Mile 7: 7:27 flattened out and a little bit of downhill
Mile 8: 7:09 Gu kicked in and I was feeling good!
Mile 9: 7:55 more uphill, uphill, uphill headwind started!
Mile 10: 8:00 straight uphill into a headwind......hang on......just pump your arms.....you can do it!
Mile 11: 7:03 yes I conquered the hardest part of the race, lets throw this down and getter done.
Mile 12: 7:30 one last hill, one last drink of water, you got this!
Mile 13: 6:37 so much for just running a consistant marathon tempo pace....I wanted to be done and everyone around me was encouraging me to finish strong. This mile there was a bad headwind but it was gradual downhill. Finally....first real downhill of the race!
Kick .12: 5:52 Wow my legs are capable of moving fast when I see a big sign that says FINISH!
And there you have it! I realize that the paces are not consistant but the effort was incredibly consistant and that is all that matters.
Cooled down 3.75-4 miles with Julia in a massive wind storm. The wind truly wasn't an issue until about mile 8-9 and by that point I was so close to being finished I did not let it affect me too much.
Okay off to read everyone else's reports from today. Thanks to everyone on the blog for your words of encouragement before this race and for being such an amazing example and support system to me. :)
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