Notes
Madison Garden Marathon. Plan was 5 mile warmup, followed by at least 10, but hopefully 15 and a maximum of 20 miles at MP (5:59). I made it 19 miles before it was pretty difficult to hit 5:59 pace, so I stopped the MP at 19. Overall very pleased with this effort.
Organization of the marathon was a complete disaster. It started 15 minutes late (not sure why) at 8:15. Course was barely marked when not on main roads. I took a wrong turn early on and realized it after going almost a half mile. I turned around to get back to the course. There were only 4 water stops around the lake (total of 8). I was glad I carried gatorade with me. I dumped water over my head a every station. Only 1 station had gatorade. That same station had gu as well. Otherwise it was just water.
I took 3rd overall. I got within 5s of second place with about a mile to go, but started to feel lightheaded with about 3/4 to go so I did not push to catch him. He ran the course (no extra) so my wrong turn cost me $100 as 2nd got $200 and 3rd got $100. First was way ahead.
Weather was good for early fall - 60s and overcast throughout the race, with no wind.
Prep was excellent for this race - no UC issues, no unexpected muscle fatigue or injuries.
Here was my prep, should plan to repeat for other races:
5:00 - wake, start coffee, eat 1/4 banana, drink 12 oz of beet juice mix, drink 1 cup coffee
5:30 - run ~1 mile
7:00 - take 200mg caffeine, stop drinking water (other than to take pills)
7:30 - take 2 acetaminophen, 2 immodium
8:00 - eat gel
8:15 race start
8:45 - take 200mg caffeine
Throughout race - dump water on head at each mile mark, drink gatorade when thirsty (I carried a half liter of gatorade and drank ~80%). I carried a gel with me from mile 4 on but never ate it. I also took 6 endurolytes throughout the run.
Marathon split ~2:41:46
Race time (27.1 miles): 2:47:46.4