WHERE DO I BEGIN???????? Last year I ran this race hoping that I would BQ. I missed my time by 5 minutes and walked away with an upsetting 3:45. Not this year! I still can't get it through my skull that I knocked off 23 minutes. This running blog, plus having a Garmin, has helped me improve immensely! Thank you so much for all of those that have given me support. Going into this race I was nervous. Last year I learned that this is NOT my favorite course. The twists, turns, and uphill in the last few miles catches even experienced runners off guard. I had to re-think my "strategy" for this year. Allie Scott, (from FRB) really helped me reach a goal that I thought was a little out of reach. This entire week I KNEW that I would cross the finish at aproximately 3:22, I just knew it. Yes, 3:20 was my goal, but 3:22 was a great finish. Allie gave me a system that broke each mile down into it's own individual pace according to the course. This helped me so much! I had the mile splits written down my arm. This helped me stay alert and focused on the miles that lay up ahead. Last night I arrived in Logan and journeyed to the race expo. Purchased socks that guaranteed I would not get blisters, and I also looked at a few of the booths. The expo was a lot better than last year. I slept at my friend's apartment on the couch. Pretty sure I did not sleep much more than 4 hours. It was hot, people were really noisy, and the doors kept slamming shut. It was ideal. :| Got to the bus pickup around 5:30 and met RAD and her friend for the bus ride up. I shared a seat with some random lady that was more excited to run the race than I was. She noticed the pace marks on my arm and asked me all sorts of funny questions about running. She asked what my goal pace for the race was? She then announced it to all of the people around us. I was pretty embarrassed. Off the bus we went, and we lined up for the POP. There was no way that I would make it to the start on time if I waited in line, so I headed to the bushes. I hustled and felt rushed as I went to the bag drop off. After I put my bag in the bus, I turned around and was almost hit by a bus pulling away from the curb. Yikes! I then lined up at the front of the pack observing all of the fabulous elites. Start gun went, and we were off without second thoughts. I felt relaxed and cool miles 1-10. My boss from Fleet Feet passed me about mile 4, he was aiming for a 3 hour marathon. I kept Allie in view as she used the first few miles to warm up (I think). She looked strong. It's nice to know that SOMETIMES during a race even the fast runners run at my pace. 10-16 still feeling good. The main goal was to make this long-run feel like a jog. Pretty much the entire race felt that way. I tried to let myself move a little faster on the downhill, and back away on the up. From miles 13-16 there was an AWESOME tail-wind that pushed us out of the canyon. I let myself take a ride. I saw Smooth at 14 cheering me on! She looked nice and cozy in her blanket and jacket. I saw my friend Sarah at about mile 18 with the coolest poster for me, and a few Gels. She's such a great friend! She tried to run with me a little and she could tell I was in "The Zone."
16-20 I think these were the worst feeling miles. Twists and turns in a residential area, plus the sun was now beating down on everyone. "Ewe" is all I have to say. 20-23 Still feeling the heat. Talked myself out of walking several times. I was only allowing myself to walk at the aid stations. Pretty sure those two extra minutes were from stopping at the aid stations. :( "Barf" feeling set in from all of the yucky GUs. 23-26 Just get there! 5k baby. I kept thinking to myself, "I can do a nice 5k in my sleep." I saw my family at the bottom of the hill at 25! Their spirit and energy pushed me up the hill, no joke! At mile 25 I passed my boss, he did not look good. Poor guy got a cramp or something. I yelled at him to get going, and I pushed the pace! I was ready for the darn race to be OVER! 26.2 Finished. :) Best medal (besides Boston) that I have ever seen. I sat in the cold ditch for about 10 minutes, that felt amazing. Congratulated and thanked runners that were running by me. (Mostly men and 1 girl)
I did place 1st in the Athena. Course record. Felt amazing to be recognized! It was so fun chatting with a few friends at the award ceremony. INCLUDING the Kenyan that kept asking for my number. hehehe. So great to finally meet Allie and thank her for the pace chart.
GREAT DAY!!!!
By the way, the socks that I purchased at the expo did not give me one blister. I usually have about five blisters after a marathon. In fact, the socks left my feet in the best post-marathon state they have ever been in. I think the brand is called LIL.
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