I find it hard to get motivated when I do a race in the form of a training run. The suffering part doesn't seem justified enough, somehow. It's probably why you finished a little bit off of your goal. It was still an excellent preparation for your upcoming marathon, on many levels. Congratulations! I can't wait to hear about your marathon, I'm sure you will do great! Oh and man... I am starving, now that I have seen that picture... mmmmm!