I had trained for the race using BarryP to build mileage without injury and then switched to the Pfitz 18/70 for the final 18 weeks. The big goal for the race was to qualify for Boston, and I had stayed pretty consistent with the plan. Half marathon, 10K, and 5K races leading up to the race suggested I should get close.

I started the race trying to pace conservatively and easy. The plan was to maintain pace between 7:12 and 7:20 per mile. Because there were so many turns in the course, I knew it would be tough to run tangents, so I wanted to build in a bit of a cushion.

I was able to execute the plan pretty well from miles 1-11, which felt easy. I picked up the pace a bit from miles 12-20, hitting the 13.1 split at 1:35:10. After mile 21, I started feeling beat down, which got progressively worse over the next few miles. Legs started feeling tight and stomach issues started- I had to pretty much force down a gel around mile 22/23 to make sure I didn't bonk.

It was also a lot warmer than the temperature I had been training in, so my legs started to cramp, as well. Between miles 24-25 I had to stop briefly twice to massage out a cramp in my hamstring. By then, though, I knew that even 9-10 min miles would still let me achieve my 3:15 qualifying time, so I felt pretty confident I could get through it.

Though the wheels were starting to come off by the end, I was able to maintain sub-8 miles and finished with a marathon PR of 38 minutes. Amazing what happens when you actually train like you're supposed to!

I probably picked up the pace a bit too early, which may have led to the challenges in the last 4-5 miles of the race.

Also may have incorporated some more sodium into the race nutrition to avoid cramping.

I may try the Hanson method for the next marathon to see if it will help prevent the crash at the end of the race.

Cheering Elizabeth to the finish (she had a 3:22, smashing her BQ time of 3:45) and grabbing a beer with the family. Great to have Allison and the kids there to celebrate with me- the first race they have been at in years!


Age!

The course was also pretty empty of spectators, and it was lonely after the half-marathoners turned off. Not a huge deal for me, since I train alone, but more crowd support probable would have helped the adrenaline a bit, especially towards the end of the race.


Overall, I really enjoyed this race, and it was very gratifying to achieve a lifetime goal. It was low-key but nicely organized at the same time.

We had a good time at Kiawah, as well, and we'll likely come back for a family vacation.