Pittsburgh Marathon - RunMarathon

With the mist and the forecast, I decided to start with the 3:50 pace group rather than the 4:00 group. Stayed with them, even getting 30 seconds ahead of them a couple places for the first 16 miles. Saw a porta-pot with the green indicator, so ducked in at 16 miles for some relief (just a slight urge most of the first 15 miles, so hydration was pretty good). Spent miles 17 and 18 trying to catch up to the pace group but the cooling, misty, rain had stopped and I was starting to feel the late-race fatigue. Closed to within 20 seconds of the group at mile 18 and made a conscious decision to let them go. Wanted to take the next 5 miles easy and pick it up for the last 5K. My pace dropped from 8:35 to 9:30 and then up to 9:03 and I hit the 20-mile timing strip at 2:56:51. OK...I've got an hour to run a 10K and I was feeling good enough for that. A hot spot was forming under the ball of my left foot, but not bad. The next couple miles were around 9:30-10:00 but I ran it all, slaying some mental demons from earlier marathons where I was mostly walking by this time. Got to mile 23 and couldn't find high gear again. Kept plodding along with 10-11 minute miles as a lot of people passed me, but I was committed to run the whole thing and I'd still finish sub-4. Saw my mom on the corner at mile 25 and then they put one last bridge in the last half mile. I look at the climb and think "why here??" but then decided I hadn't walked yet, I wouldn't start now. Jogged up the bridge, coasted down to the other side, rounded the corner and saw the finish line off in the distance.

Debated whether to start with the 3:50 or 4:00 pace groups. Decided with the mist that I could be a little aggressive and that my overall time might be faster to start with the faster group and fade rather than start with the slower group and expect to run ahead IF I felt good after 20 miles. Almost got caught by the 4:00 group (I never looked back to see how close they were, but they were probably within a minute of me).

Got my medal, some fruit, and a cup of water. Walked around a bit, stretched, and tried to find Sam. Was starting to get light-headed as the sun had come out and it was now warming up more than predicted. Sat down for a few minutes, then walked around before finding Sam and my mom. Walked to Sam's car and he gave us a ride back to Mom's car.


genetics? diet? training? I could have used a couple more long runs (18-20 miles) or some 20-22 mile runs. Running a solid 18/26 is probably about all that can be expected when you're running less than 35 miles per week (as most triathletes do). If I could survive a season of 50 mile weeks, I could do better in the last 6 miles.




They did a very nice job. This is the 3rd year bringing it back and they do a lot of things well. I was really disappointed in the food choices at the finish area and no bottles of water/gatorade (really...how many runners are going to want just a glass of water post-race??)