First Marathon RR

Yesterday morning I arose at 4:00am so I could meet my running buddies to travel close to 2 hours to arrive at Columbus for my first marathon. We parked within 3 blocks of the start line, walked to packet pickup and waited. After picking up packets we found a restroom that we didn't have to wait for in a local coffee shop. We dropped off everything that we weren't going to wear on the marathon back at the car and warmed up by stetching and jogging a couple blocks. We visited the coffee shop for the no wait restroom but found out that it had been discovered and that there was now a wait. (Isn't it funny how at all of these endurance events that there never seems to be enough restrooms?...maybe because of all of the prerace hydrating?)

The start line was pretty packed. I don't know how many starters there were, but there was 3551 running marathon finishers(not including the wheel chair, relay, and walking finishers). My plan was to take the first 3 miles at a pretty relaxed pace, then pick up the pace for the middle 20 so I could ease off on the last 3 if I needed to. I made up a pace chart and laminated it for a bracelet to give me the splits for each mile that I was wanting to run, but found that I didn't have it when I arrived in Columbus. My plan chnaged but only slightly....Instead of using a pace chart I would use the pacer runners (runners sponsered by White Castle that ran an even split set time per mile.) Basically I was going to stick with the 3:30 pacer for the first 3 miles, then speed up and attempt to catch the 3:00 pacer by mile 23.

The first mile I ran right on pace and had to really hold myself off from going faster. Miles 2 and 3 I ran slightly faster than I should have, but it felt good and I didn't feel like it would be a problem to hold my pace. By mile 3 I had already caught the 3:20 pacer. I was feeling good, holding a good pace, enjoying the crowd (reported to be close to 100,000 spectators) and hydrating every aid station. There was a great crowd, in fact there probably wasn't more than 1/4 mile in any part of the race that didn't have people cheering you on. There was reported to be 5-10 bands playing for the race, but I only saw 1 band and an electronic organ player.

By mile 5 I had passed my target time pacer group (3:10) and was feeling good. Still holding my pace and continuing to hydrate, at the half way point I was at 1:30 which was right on schedule for my target time. About mile 16-17 things started getting a little less fun. I was starting to have problems holding my pace and could feel myself slowing down a little. I figured it was just a phase and looked forward to the next aid station with gu, hoping that it would pick me up. A little into mile 19 my legs were feeling tight and having problems moving, I had to stop and walk a little. I continued to slow down and increase the frequency of walks. By midway through mile 20 the 3:10 (my overall goal) pace group passed me when I was walking. I mustered up all of the strength I had and started running with them hopping that I could maintain the pace for the rest of the race. I lasted about a 1/3 mile before having to stop again. At that point I realized I wouldn't make my goal time.

The next 6 miles were grueling even though the crowds and other runners were very encouraging. During the final mile, the 3:40 pace group passed me. I mustered all I had and kept with them through the finish. My final time was 3:39:45. At the finish line they provided bagels, water, sports drink, yougart, apples and there was plenty go around.

Positives:
I complete my first marathon with a respectable time
The crowds and runners were great
The course was pretty smooth with no bad hills

Negatives:
I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped
I hurt alot yesterday and continue to hurt today (not necessarly all bad pain)

Lessons Learned:
Set more realistic goals
More training is required