San Antonio Marathon - RunMarathon

I don't know what happened. I really thought I was going to go sub 3:30 for this with all the training I've put in. I felt great going out. The first few miles were a little quick, but I felt great, so I decided to run easy, even though I was coming in 5-15 seconds quick on each mile. I didn't have a mile slower than 8 min until about 17, and that was due to a long uphill stretch. I thought I was going to come back with another strong mile, but I jusdt died. I don't know why. It wasn't terribly hot or too windy, just a little iuncomfortable. At mile 20, I was only 12 seconds off pace but I knew I was losing it pretty quickly. About 22 I knew 3:30 was gone, but 3:38 was very possible. I about puked after getting some water and I knew then that it was over. I coasted in, walked too much in the last mile, but I thought it better to save up for another day.
Nutrition wise, I had planned on taking gels at 6,11,15,19,23 and getting water about every 2 miles. About 3 miles into it, I was already pouring sweat so I took water at every stop. I was too nauseated to take the gel at 19 or 23. Looking back, I probabaly should have tried to get some in, but I was beat. Next time, I will not start the gels until later, maybe 12,17,22.
I saved enough to feel remarkably well on Monday. We actually went back into town and walked around the Riverwalk that night, I played golf on Monday and am really minimally sore. I even jogged a couple of fairways to spped up the golf and felt tired, but not sore. I'll probably take or 2 more days off of running, but I could manage a couple of miles now if I needed to.

More water, less gel. Definitely plan to run an even pace next time. No more trying to get a couple of minutes ahead. I really don't see why running 10sec per mile faster early costs me so much later. I just know my 2 best times have been the ones where I ran a slower earlier pace.

walked a mile back to the car. Didn't even get any food at the race site. Did have a great stack of pancakes at the IHOP on the way home though


heat


I was really excited about this run. San Antonio is a great venue. The expo was average but the location was great. The PreRace mexican food probably wasn't the best but there are a lot of carbs in tortillas, right? The course was a bit dull, one loop around the hood, then along the "Mission Trail" I only saw one other Mission which was great, but the trail wasn't what I had expected. There was a stretch going out and back, about 2.5 miles each way along the San Antonio River, nice tranquil, but no volunteers, no shade, poor pavement. This seemed to go on forever on the way back in. Not a bad course, but not particularly memorable. The city is a great place to go and visit, though, must go to Cafe Alamo for the fresh baked tortillas right in front of you.
The race organization was good. The web site is lacking - no elevation chart, no 2007 press releases,- but adequate. The expo was average, decent amount of vendors, but not the most well laid out. The course was average, but tons of volunteers and lots of water stops with plenty of fluids and gels at each. I give it a 3.5/5.