Fargo Marathon - RunMarathon

Okay. First marathon. Secretly hoping for 4:30, expecting 5:00. I am very happy with this.
Started with the 4:30 pace group. Kept up with them for about 2.5 hours. Even after a bathroom break - I caught up to them. But they were very inconsistent. At times running a 5:20 pace and then going to a 6:30! This screwed me up. But my first 2.5-3 hours were right on target. I was doing really well. Then the wheels fell off a bit.
I got that "out of body" experience and thought I was going to faint. Then I started getting early signs of cramps in my calves.
So I walked a bit. Walked through the aid stations initially, then walked more. Couldn't sustain the run, so I started walking fast. About a 9min pace - my Ironman salvation pace. Did not have that breakthrough moment when I felt like I had rebuilt my energy and could run again. Didn't hit a wall, just sorta found myself in molasses.
Nutrition. Hammer gels ever 30 minutes. Water. After 3 hours I hit the Powerade hard. I think it may have helped. I was craving bready carbs (no pretzels WTF?!) and nothing would slake my thirst...I was worried that I was drinking too much water, so I cut back.

Had some acetaminophen and ibuprofen throughout the race. I think it helped. Also took three salt pills during the race. Should have taken more. Never had that swollen finger feel that I have when I'm having electrolyte issues.
Had some banana and sucked the juice out of an orange. Had a jolly rancher-darn thing took about 3 minutes to dissolve!
at about mile 19 I had one of the energy chews (like a dry red bull) Never had one in a race before, but I was a little desperate. What a funny result! I became hyper alert and awake, but I still had no energy.
So I was hyper aware of how much I suck. The irony of this cheered me up a lot and I had great spirits at the end of the race. I really, really enjoyed myself, albeit I was a little disappointed that I suck as a runner.
When I finally saw the Fargodome, I picked it up a bit, and then realized it was an arena, not the Fargodome...when I did see the Fargodome, I started my kick - and I have a great kick - only to realize that I still had about 500m to go! Yikes. I didn't let go though...I increased to a 5:30 pace and finished in the Fargo Dome very strongly - hearing my name and seeing Jason's smiling face!
The side note is that I had met Ironman announcer Mike Reilly the night before and complained to him that he had mispronounced my name at IMC two years ago. When he announced my name this time, he got is right on!
First Marathon done. All good.

I have not done any speed work this year. I have done a number of 25 to 35k runs, but nothing greater...I faded at about 35k and my speed was slow(ish) even for me.
Ran with a small plastic water bottle and refilled along the way. This acted a bit as a security blanket. I'm wondering if having it was wise...
I think, if I'm going to do more of these, I'm going to have to do more speed and strength work (hills) and I'm going to have to just do more mileage.
Everything else worked great. Maybe have some bready stuff with me. I'm thinking I could have had a better breakfast. Maybe should have had some oatmeal.

Smiled a lot. Collected my two medals and had pizza, chocolate milk, baked cheezies, cookie-dough - spat that out - water and bread-type thingies.
Moved around a lot and waited for a couple of friend to come in.
Smiled a lot.
Went back to the Hotel and went between the hot tub and the pool and stretched in there. Felt no pain that day. Wore compression socks for two days. Next day (8hour drive back home in the back seat of a small Toyota!) felt very tight in the quads.


More speed, hill and distance work.
I honestly think I didn't eat enough a couple of days before the race and the morning of. I think that is what made me fade so quickly and didn't allow the gels to have any effect after a while - and why I was craving powerade. I HATE powerade.


First Marathon. Went down with Friends. Learned so much about myself and my abilities. In hindsight I think I may want to do more, although at the time I had my doubts. I'm questioning traveling so far to race, but maybe if I went somewhere that was more exotic. The organizers were fantastic as were the volunteers. It was worth the trip and all the training. Fargo is a great race, all things considered.
Garmin results:
http://connect.garmin.com/page/activity/activity.faces?activityId=3...