The gun goes off and I slip into the 4 hr group and all is well. It's still dark out but we are running nicely and crossing over the I-5 headed for the 101 for a nice run up the beach! We get to mile marker 1 and I'm feeling great although i don't have the pace data or HR data so who knows. Then I start to hear the auto lap functions tripping on every bodies garmin and hear some muttering about going too fast. In fact, we were at 7:50 pace that first mile...which is not good considering an even 4hr is a 9:10 pace. Well I stick with them anyway and we get to mile 4 having done a 7:50, 8:20, 8:20, 9. Good, we are least slowing a little and getting back to the 9min pace and hey look at that...at least we are ahead a little.

I ran exactly with the group until around mile 6 where the big long hill appeared. Surprisingly I was feeling good and by the time we got to the top for the turnaround (around mile 10) I was about 15 sec ahead of the 4 hr group. This is the first place I saw my wife and Frank and they were cheering for me. I was feeling good, and feeling confident even though I was sure exactly where I was having no pace data and no watch even.

After mile 13 it got very lonely...I was still holding a good pace but I was in no mans land...there wasn't anyone next to me for 30yds either way. That has not happened to me before in a race but I was ok with it. At around mile 16 the route took us back to the beach along the 101, coming off the exit I got to see I was still holding about 20 sec lead on the 4hr group. At the bottom of the ramp all of a sudden we joined in with the Half marathon group that started around 7am I guess. I was suddenly surrounded in every direction for 4 lanes...massive crowd considering I was just all alone. My pace quickened briefly but then I realized they were just too chipper so I slowed back to what felt like the pace i was at earlier around 9. At this point I am still feeling good and the thoughts of actually breaking 4 are starting to get real for me and I am liking it. After all, this is my first mary, I am trained up, so why not attain my goal.

I believe the next sign I saw was the 17 mile marker then after about 1/2 mile we hit the turnaround for the run back into town for the big finish. Another 1/2mile or so goes by I hit the water station, eat a GU, and see the 20 mile marker. I look back to find the 4 hr group but there are just too many people and I can't see the sticks. Yes, I am at 20 now...almost home, with a lead even!

Wait a minute...did that sign just say 20? What happened to 18 and 19? I look back again to find the 4 hr group and nope, not there. I run for another mile or so and then start to piece it together. A 3:30 pace group goes past me and I am floored, I just realized I was OFF COURSE. About 30 seconds after this realization I see my wife and Frank again and they are yelling and clapping. I immeditly stop and start to explain, but they are saying..."you are doing great, keep going, you've made up ground". At this point I start walking but am looking at them telling them something was wrong. They wouldn't hear it...they just just keep moving.

I got back to running now but could not get my mind off this terrible feeling that all this effort is now wasted. For about 2 miles I am slowing drastically as the motivation is just gone and I feel terrible. There must have been a sign I missed. Damn it.

Finally at around mile 24 I just stopped. I couldn't embarrass myself by having such a great time in the race results. I contemplated just stepping off the course but decided I had to get back to the finish anyway. So I stood there stretching out and waited for the 4 hr group. Once they passed I got about 15 seconds behind them and ran it in to the finish to massive cheers and a 3:57 finish.

So congrats to the 4 hr group for finishing in 3:57.

Use Garmin! Also, not run with 4hr group. Rather maintain steady pace and catch the 4hr group if I need to. I didn't really like starting out too fast...I prefer a steady run, esp in the beginning.

After the race I grabbed my finishers medal but refused to put it on. I was feeling like crap mentally. It took about 45 min before I met up with Frank and Mil and at this point I was feeling terrible but trying not to show a bad attitude about anything. They said I was fine, it wasn't a big deal but it just sucked for me.

We went and ate pizza and headed back to LA.


My first mistake was no Garmin...then of course, being off course.


Now a few days later as I write this I can say it really turned into a long run. It was actually a 20 mile hard marathon pace run with another 4 or so much slower. So thankfully I am not as sore as expected. Time to move on...IMCA 70.3 in 10 weeks so I need to focus on that.

I am in zero week for running and will start back on another 4 week post mary plan to get me to a 10K and then maintain fitness for IMCA.

I will have to accomplish this whole some other time.