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Comments: Original plan for today was to run an easy race as this was really considered IM training and nothing else. I wanted to stick with the 3:40 pace group up until mile 18 or so, which is exactly what I did last year. I also planned to concentrate on nutrition, which has been a weak point in my marathons. Typical marathon nutrition consists of 1 or 2 gels along the course. Today's plan was 4 gels between start and finish with mix of water and gatorade along the way. Once we were off I quickly found the 3:40 pace group and stayed with them for the first 4-5 miles. Foolishness got the best of me and I left the pace group behind around mile 5 and turned into the wind. At that time I also offered to serve as a wind blocker for a woman behind me and I pushed it a bit too much. Miles 6-9 were all mid 7's. I let her go around mile 9 and she thanked me. So, my male ego did me no good today. I took the wind AND ran a bit fast using a bit too much fuel along the way. At the half point right I was right on 1:45 (or 3:30 pace), too fast for today's plan! The only good part about getting to the half point so soon is I got to see Shannon coming in from the half. Miles 13-16 took everything I had left as it was straight into the head wind. Miles 17-20 along Shore Drive were protected from the wind, but I battled to keep it together. After mile 20 it was all downwind, so my only goal was to stay on track until that point. However, I just spent too much before that and gave in to a time goal at mile 21. Miles 21-26 featured some walking with splits in the 9's to one mile close to 11 minutes. The 3:40 pace group passed me a bit after mile 24............ Oh well, I didn't really expect to PR in the race and I figured it would be better to save my legs for another day. That being said, the race hurt more than I remember most marathons hurting. I guess IM training and full on marathon training don't really mix. Overall, I was happy with my nutrition and I don't think it had anything to do with my poor performance. The performance was the result of improper marathon training (which is TOTALLY excused for IM purposes) and improper pacing (which is TOTALLY stupid). What would you do differently?: Run with the 3:40 pace group as planned.  Post race
Warm down: Caught my wits, found Shannon, and headed to the car for shelter from the wind/cold. I was spent! What limited your ability to perform faster: IM training and that stupid bike/swim thing. Event comments: I really like this race as it is my hometown race. Well organized, lots of volunteers, lots of water stops! It is just a friendly, small town race. My only complaint is that they ran out of marathon shirts on Saturday afternoon. They say they will mail me one, but I don't understand how that happened. Oh well, I will run it again for the third year in a row in 2008. :) Last updated: 2007-01-30 12:00 AM
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United States
45F / 7C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 415/1219
Age Group = M 35 - 39
Age Group Rank = 72/217
Great dinner the night before with Sue (PTinVA), Jen (Artemis), their spouses, and Shannon (thegoddess). In bed pretty early for me and managed to get a decent night sleep, despite the late night wrong number phone call.
Up way too early for shower, Cliff Bar, Vitamin Water, and BAD 7-11 coffee.
Shannon and I arrived a little too early for the start of the half so we sat in the car to stay warm until it was time. The weather started out perfectly - mid 40's with very little wind. Little did I know this would not hold true by the time the marathon started. Once Shannon was settled in her coral for the half, I waited for the National Anthem (with flyover) and wished her luck. Back to the car I went to warm up once again and get into my race clothes. One hour later it was time for me to start. The only problem was the wind arrived (20 mph ish?). Downwind for first 6ish; upwind for next 12ish; downwind for final stretch.