Not a pretty day for me. Thought I should be able to pull of a BQ (3:25) even though I'd only really trained to finish a marathon, not to race one. Guess since I had only done in any MP training miles on downhill, and nothing on flat or uphill, no tempo runs, no speedwork, it should have come as no surprise that other than the steep downhill sections I didn't have much umph on the flat/uphill sections. I could tell during Damarron Valley that the miles were feeling harder than they should which usually means I'm going to die between miles 16 & 20. And that is exactly what happened. Ran out of gas around mile 17 and couldn't seem to find any motivation to keep me from taking plenty of walking breaks and pretty much just jogging it in. I got a little boost coming into town with the crowds cheering and I think I did a mile or 2 around 7:30 pace but other than that I just loafed after mile 17 to the end.
Oh well guess it's always good to learn a lesson. Wish I would have done what I was considering a couple weeks ago - not even wear a watch and just run by feel. But it's all good, time to move on, focus on turning 50 and running 50 miles! Already signed up for Buffalo Run 50 miler in March.
Had a great time spending time with Kim and Terry and his neighborhood gang of SGM 1st timers who stayed with us out our condos. I think they all did pretty well most everyone got PRs and Terry was not too far off the sub-3 goal. Congrats to all those who finished with or without style points!
| 