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Comments: Was expecting a 3:40 race while hoping that if everything went great I could do 3:30 to 3:35. I chose to start with the 3:35 pace group, but I was feeling great that morning so left them about two miles into the race. I kept looking at my watch and was doing 7:30 - 7:45 minute/miles. I knew this was too fast this early in the race and tried to slow down, but the pace felt comfortable and I was feeling good. The first half of the race was kind of a blur and really uneventful. Knew that I was averaging 8:00 minute miles and was on pace for a 3:30. However, when the half marathoners turned off, suddenly there were a lot fewer runners and therefore also a lot less energy around me. The number of supporters on the side of the road also decreased, which made the race a lot more dull. Miles 13-20 were pretty hilly and really took a toll on my legs, which started to cramp about mile 20. The most disheartening thing was when the 3:35 pace group caught me about mile 20. I was determined to try to finish with the 3:35 pace group and so kept up despite the cramps until about mile 23 where I just couldn't keep up on a hill. The cramps came on pretty strong after mile 23 and the last three miles seemed like a death march. My legs kept saying lets slow down and walk, but I was determined to run the entire distance and so kept going. My pace felt like a shuffle, but when I looked at my watch I was still doing 9:00 min/miles so I was pretty happy with that. Crossing the finish line in Autozone Park felt great although I did not hear them call my name this year. What would you do differently?: Need to incorporate more hill training into the program, especially on tired legs.  Post race
Warm down: Felt great finishing the race so took the opportunity to get my picture taken with Elvis - only in Memphis. Collected my belongings and put on a warm sweat shirt as the weather was still pretty cool. What limited your ability to perform faster: Hills! Should of paced myself better knowing that the second half of the course had more hills. Event comments: This is a great race every year, and benefits a very worth cause. Second half of the marathon course gets more difficult so I have a lot of respect for anybody who can negative split this race. Last updated: 2009-09-22 12:00 AM
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United States
30F / -1C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 363/2459
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 52/231
Training went well, generally following the training plan. Felt strong during training with no real injuries, though the mileage had me constantly feeling tired.
Got moving early that morning, which allowed me to go to the gym by the race and warm up on the stationary bike for about 15 minutes - just a slow spin to get the legs moving first thing in the morning.
Surprising, I was not that nervous and my stomach felt good so I was able to eat a banana and toast with peanut butter and drink a cup of coffee, bottle of infinit, and an accelerade gel. Actually felt full before the race.