Notes
Weather at start: 29F with Northerly wind of 16mph at finish 33F with Northlerly wind of 16mph. It was bright sunny and of average humidity. The wind made for a run feeling of 23-27F.
Race-wise this was definitely a better experience than my first marathon! I started out at what felt like an exceedingly slow pace (7:30 first mile) but I quickly fell into my target pace of 7min/mile. I held very good pacing for the first half I felt. Sometimes I was below 7min but never by an absurd amount (I only looked at my watch on every other mile split or so)
After Mile 6 I had caught up to the 3:05 pace group. Their leader was holding slightly too fast of a pace (7flat) but that was fine with me. I stuck just off their tail for drafting purposes and felt fine doing it!
Miles 6-14 were nicely scenic but basically uneventful. I took a goo at mile 9 (salted caramel) and grabbed some clif shots at mile 14 or 15. I finished the shots by mile 18 one-by-one. At mile 18 my quads hinted at cramping but it was so fleeting that I thought nothing of it.
Mile 20 I was still feeling just fine when my left quad locked up. Although it was a disappointment to have this happen I accepted it and immediately walked for a little to relax the muscle. The rest of the run I was still upbeat about doing so well for the first 20 miles but my quad cramping got progressively worse. The cramping peaked at mile 23. After this I was close enough to the finish that I was progressively more reluctant to stop for any reason.
I missed my goal of 3:05 and my B-goal of 3:20 but that is okay. I learned a lot:
I think my race mentality was great! Slow first mile and ease into things later on in the game.
The weather though windy was a perfect temperature for my body!
Nutrition-wise I was really good. I felt a little queasy beforehand but that went away fast. I had: Chipotle for lunch the prior day. Eggs, potatoes and a waffle for dinner. A baked sweet potato with a little butter for breakfast. One gel before the run (gu-rocketberry or something). One gel at mile 9 (gu salted caramel). One shot blok pack starting at mile 16 or so (strawberry, ate slowly, one blok at a time.)
Cardiovascular prep was good - no noticeably hard breathing for the duration of the run. I could hold a conversation if I wanted to.
Energy levels I was good - I had energy to spare at the end of the run. Presumably because I took the last 6 miles so slow.
Where I know I fell short was in endurance training. I only averaged 30miles a week in training which is low. I also only got in 6 or so true long runs in prep for the race. I think this is the primary root cause for my cramping. Insufficient muscular endurance.
Notes for my next marathon: Do more long runs - at least 14 every weekend. Shorter long runs should be AT PACE. Pepper in some long tempos too - 10 mile tempos should be used and are easier than you think :) Make your standard easy run no shorter than 7 miles