Notes
Well, that was fun. I knew this would be interesting coming off a marathon PR 2 weeks ago but I didn't think it would go like this. I kept the effort low, averaging around 8:00/mile and feeling pretty good through about mile 15. At that point I started feeling some serious fatigue and recognized the wheels were coming off soon. For the next few miles it was quite the internal debate - I am so tired of either tapering or recovering this month that I really just wanted to stop early, not endure too much abuse so I can start training again sooner. On the other hand I was taught to always finish what you started and never had a DNF. At mile 19, I stopped. Decided who cares, I got my A race 2 weeks ago, I was just doing this as kind of an experiment. I walked back to the start. The race director and his wife found me (good friends as well) and I went through all of the arguments again. He said he would just take me in the golf cart to where I left the course and I could just walk it home - would be slow but shouldn't do any more damage and avoid a DNF. Then I saw my family (who I did not expect to see at all). It's really hard to look your kids in the eye and say you quit. So we drove back to spot and I walked/slow jogged it home. It was painful. No cramping or any serious pain, the legs were just completely dead. One of the hardest finishes I've endured. I think my official time is 4:25 because I had stopped my watch during the 'come to Jesus' moment. 2nd slowest marathon ever, but at least it's not a DNF.
On a side note, Joe T. crushed it. Took home the overall Master's trophy. Another beautifully executed marathon.