You better like hills, see elevation chart:
http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=73273

I had some problems in the spring and stopped working out for a while. I started training again 18 weeks ago and set starting this race as my main goal for the day. My plan was take the first 20 miles easy and then see how I felt and maybe push the last 10K.

First mile was 7:45, way to fast. I tried to slow down, and thought that I was going slower but at the 6 mile mark I was still running 7:45 pace. I knew that if I kept this pace up I would have to pay for it at the end.

From the next 4 miles (miles 6 to 10) I work hard on holding back my effort. Averaged out at 8:10 pace for this section and was feeling good.

Miles 10 to 13 averaged out at 8:01 pace. This is where the goal inflation started. I hit the half way mark at 1:44:06 (7:57 pace). I started to think that I could go 3:30 for the day and maybe even pull off a negative split.

Miles 13 to 15 averaged out at 8:27 but that included a bathroom stop around mile 14. At mile 15 I was 13 seconds off of 3:30 pace. Also at mile 14 the course starts heading back uphill.

Miles 15 to 20 were some of the best miles I've ran in a marathon. The course is mostly uphill for this stretch. I concentrated on running steady without getting too stupid with my pace. I wanted to hit the 20 mile mark on 3:30 pace and then see what happened from there. Reeled alot of people in over this stretch and averaged out at 8:06 pace for a total time of 2:40:42.

I wanted to start racing at the 20 mile mark, but my legs did not want anything to do with that plan. I changed my plan and set mile 23 and my new "start racing" mark. The next 3 miles were a little steeper than the previous 6. This stretch also includes "Doomsday Hill". I averaged out at 8:37 for this section.

Hit the mile 23 mark and switched into race mode, again I should have asked my legs first. Knocked off an 8:17 mile but that was all I had. Next mile was 9:09. Tried to go again, and pulled out an 8:38 for mile 26. I passed a guy at mile 26 and he tried to go with me. I hate getting re-passed and this time my legs agreed with me. Dropped him and ran the last 0.2 in 1:22 (6:50 pace).

Cross the line in 3:34:01 (8:10 pace).

Train? Pick golf or bowling as a hobbie instead of running and tris?

Flyboy was hanging out at the finish (thanks). Talked with him for awhile until we both started getting cold. Picked up my race shirt and headed for home.

Got home. Hot shower, cold beer, and a little BBQ. Life is good.


Overall I'm happy with how this race turned out since I met my original goal. I did very well on getting my planned long runs in leading up to this race but my mid-week runs were lacking. Could I have ran faster? Not with the training I put into this race. I know I could have ran the first half faster but I think I would have ended up running the second half much slower. Running fast was never my main goal for this race. I just wanted to make it to the starting line, every thing after that would be a bonus.