Cape Cod Marathon - RunMarathon

I set out with the goal of running 11 min/miles so I could go a little slower per mile in the last half and still go under 5. I did well with this plan until mile 16 or so, when my splits started heading into the upper 11's. After that, I just kept getting slower and slower. I had to start taking walk breaks at mile 21, and that just killed my time completely. My hydration and nutrition were excellent, and I never felt like I was bonking. C and Dave made it out to several points on the course to cheer for us, and it was really nice to see familiar faces out there, and I even managed a few smiles in the pictures C took ;). It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, it was a comfortable temperature, just a perfect day for a race.
All that said, I never felt "good" during this race. I knew early on that it was going to be a long day and I might not meet my goal of sub 5. My legs were tired and sore from the start, and I never got in my groove. BUT, I ran for the first 21 miles before I had to start taking walk breaks, AND I did make it back in one piece, so I can't complain ;).
This course was tough! It was gorgeous, but the last 16 miles of it is rather brutal (not that I have anything to compare it to). It was tough mentally to keep going up hill after hill. This was a great pre-IMLP test, because I know I will be hurting on that marathon too, and I know I will have to keep putting one foot in front of the other in order to become an Ironman. I am very relieved to have a marathon under my belt before I attempt IMLP. Now I know what 26.2 miles on my feet is like.

Nothing.

Got my medal and my foil blanket and met up with C and the Sullivans. Then it was back to the hotel to drink Endurox and eat a pumpkin cream cheese muffin.


I don't think doing the Hartford Half 2 weeks ago was a good idea. I went all out there and did well, but I didn't fully recover. This was my first marathon and I think I did ok.


This was a nicely organized race but there were too few aid stations (I had my FB with me, thankfully!) and no post-race festivities that I could see. The course was well-marked and well-staffed by cops and volunteers at intersections, and you really can't beat running by the beach! Nice long-sleeve shirt and a bottle opener in my race bag, and a cool finisher's medal. I would do this race again.