More later, but the short version is: I AM SO HAPPY!!!! :) My second fastest marathon ever but considering the heat I feel this was the strongest I have ever raced. Hated the temps but LOVED that I felt strong and consistent throughout. Also very please with how my PT schooling came in handy several times throughout the race! WAHOO!!! I suppose all the studying might be worth it after all!!! :) Have to run and take a test. I will finish this tonight. :) :) :) ************** Additional details: In a nutshell, I had a plan with two parts: 1. Run strong. 2. Stay hydrated. I am happy to say that this was one of those races where things just fell into place. So nice when that happens. Started out a little fast, but it felt good. Quickly decided that I was going to concentrate on effort and not pace. Felt awesome through mile 10ish. Walked through almost every aid station (even when I didn't feel like I needed to: goal was to get in the right amount of fluids and I can do that better when walking). Around mile 11 I really began noticing the heat. Quickly reviewed where the largest blood vessels are found in my body and grabbed ice from the spectators whenever I could and cooled down the skin over those areas. Had to be a little creative but I am convinced that it helped quite a bit! (Don't ask for details ... they are not all pretty! :) ) Could tell that I was slowing a little bit but just kept the effort honest and made sure to stay on top of the fluids. Newton hills begin. I do a quick assessment. I feel 100 times better than I did last time I ran this course. Sweet. All lights are green. :) Miles 18 - 21. Feeling hot but am looking around and notice EVERYBODY is feeling the heat. Start thinking about basic physics and human physiology. "Okay," I tell myself, "If you have 10 lbs of little potatoes and 10 lbs of big potatoes which bag of potatoes will have the most peel (i.e., the most surface area)?" I remember: "THE BAG OF LITTLE POTATOES." So I begin thinking, "There are big runners and little runners out here (I am a very little runner,) so, which body has the most surface area per volume?" Answer: "ME!!!" My thinking continues, "So, if I have the most surface area for body volume then that also means that I have the greatest means of heat loss." I am ecstatic. I quickly convince myself (and am still convinced) that it means little petite runners (like myself) have a much easier time getting rid of body heat. (I have looked some stuff up since I have been home and my theory seems to hold true.) ANYWAY, the gist of this long narrative is that this thought process gave me a HUGE psychological boost. "Yes, I am suffering ..." I thought, "BUT ... not as badly as most." (JUST FYI: If I am wrong ... DON'T tell me. I may or may not bring this up with "The Running Professor" to get his input. I really do not want to be proven wrong. Although, if you are reading this Matt, and if I am right: DO tell me that!) A few more miles click by. Miles 24-26.45 (it is hard for me to run the tangents when all the tall runners are blocking my upstream visual and I have no idea where the tangents are) were tough. But that is to be expected. LOVED the crowds!!! Starting to feel really happy inside. (Especially happy since this allotted me enough time to take a quick shower before heading to the airport!) I LOVE BOSTON!!! Loved the time spent with everybody there. As usual Ry spoiled me rotten. Wished I could have stayed longer and spent more time with everybody. Maybe another year!!!! Thank you everyone for being so generous with your comments, advice and encouragement. I am so lucky!!!! QUICK NOTE: The Golden Empire with Smooth and crew AND the Blessing of the Athletes at the Old South Church are definitely MUSTS!!!! FUN TIMES!!!! :) :) :) Splits: 7:33, 7:30, 7:39, 7:38, 7:59, 7:59, 7:38, 8:01, 7:51, 7:51, 8:01, 7:39, 7:55, 7:59, 7:55, 7:46, 8:19, 8:09, 8:02, 8:10, 8:23 (not sure what happened here), 7:42, 7:51, 8:18 (getting pretty dang worn out), 8:14, 8:30 (hang in there, baby), 8:30, 7:29 (one final push for .45 to hit sub 3:30). HUGE SMILE. :)
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