I qualified for Boston!! 312:04
I ran 136:06 for the first half and 136:02 for the second half. My predicted time was 312 at 10k, and 13.1 half way, at 30k it was 113:36 so obviously I was able to pick it up a bit in the end which makes me feel proud. My goal at 21 miles was to pass 10 runners and I stopped counting at 25ish, I was only passed by 2 runners at 23 who were booking it.
There was a hill into the wind at 24 miles and after the hill which was tough, I started to realize that this was the race and I would make the qualifying time for Boston, I could not help but be emotional which felt awesome and I also knew it was helping release the good hormones and help me with the finish.
I had no desire to sprint the last half mile so I just took in the moment and enjoyed all the blessed things in my life, I was able to think about Sarah and all 3 kids and the fact that I was so proud of my accomplishment, I think this might be one of the best moments of my life and to be honest it had nothing to do about Boston during that moment.
I did not get my medal right away as I was hoping to see G cross the finish line under 315:59 but it was not his day and he finished a PB of 319. I know he appreciated me sticking around for him and he knew right away that I qualified and gave me one of the purest hugs I have ever received. I am so blessed to have G as a great friend and my running partner. I look forward to our run in Boston and I am positive he will qualify for 09 and I will do everything possible to help him get there.
I hope nobody is reading my long blurb of my marathon but I want to write down as much as possible so I can reflect on my next marathon.
The week before I ran the least ever before a marathon: A 4 mile tempo run 19:57 5k on Monday, Tue off, Wed 4 miles MP, Thur off and Fri 3 miles MP, Sat off. We had G's pasta with tuna and a light dressing with a chicken breast, asparagus, avacodo and bread and a beer it was a nice meal, felt very calm. It was a actually a 2 bedroom suite so I read a bit from the bible and some of my book Angels and Demons and I was out by 9:45, bathroom break at 2:30 and up a 5am. 2 small bagels with pb and little water before the run.
The weather, I need to stress less about it the week before it is what it is. It was raining quite hard before the start had a garbage bag, it was 50 degrees and the wind was SW 6-10mp. The weather really got better as the race started at one point there was a bunch of rays breaking through the clouds right around mile 8 and I had a faith moment and felt quite good.
As far as the race was concerned I will put it in the memory bank, I ran scared but controled as I have been humbled by the marathon a few times already, I respected the race and ran with my head (feel), I know my heart was always there backing me up. I slowly left G at mile 14, we talked about this on the ride down which made it less stressful because we knew that this was a possibility. Once again he was such a sport during the bitter sweet moment at the end of the race, he really has a big heart.
Hopefully if anyone has read this I have not put them to sleep. It really is quite amazing what we go through as runners, we are truly blessed.
What is so special is today is Elliot's 1st birthday and its a holiday in Canada so a day off is fun with the family. Also I have never felt better as far as my body is concerned after a marathon but I will take a day off!!
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