Great report, Tramps.  I struggled with trusting my Garmin on Saturday too.  It had a larger error than usual, and I wasn't running nearly as fast as I thought.

We were pretty happy with the weather, and I know this was perfect for you.   You bridged the gap nicely between your breakthrough race in 2009 and your subsequent marathons, and that bodes well for the future for you.

We're looking forward to spending some time with you and DW in May, and we've taken out an extra rider with State Farm,  so no worries.

Great RR Tramps. Love the details.  I wore a pace band and cheked total time at mile markers every now and then. Also, manual splits with the Garmin at the race mile markers.

All in all a very speedy race for you!  This matches your sound training.  Well done!

Steve

Geeze Tramps, you held it together really well getting all that conflicting info!  I think if I had been in your shoes, my head would have exploded!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks so much for the comments.  They’re always fun to read.  I never know about responding; does anyone ever go back to see a RR thread after they’ve posted?  Oh well…

• The Garmin always measures long and I take that into consideration by programming my laps to be 1.01 miles.  Typically, this gets me almost perfect splits and I can just focus on one number: the overall pace.  It’s great when it works.  The National course, though, has several underpasses/tunnels that apparently mess with the Garmin.  (Maybe it’s all the spooks in DC, too!) I should have known this; I had some similar trouble—though not as bad—two years ago.  My mistake, plain and simple. Yep, I’ll be learning to use a pace band.
• Karin—you are tough and smart!  I would never, ever remember splits.  Heck, when people ask me about PRs, I have to tell them I don’t remember!  I can remember my marathon PR, that’s it.
• Walt—the mile markers varied.  Some were marked with a visible flag, others just chalked on the road—almost impossible to spot in the early miles, especially.  Besides, I would never trust myself to hit all the mile markers manually.  I’m not that coordinated.  (Nice to see you pop in!)
• Fortunate One—yeah, I felt bad for that (young) 3:25 guy.  I’m not sure if he bit off more than he could chew or just had a really bad day.  Felt even worse for the folks who had been counting on him.  I wonder what happened to them.
• WRFB—Dupont goofed with my distance but it was the later tunnel where—on the way out—I looked down to a completely blank screen.  Oops.  By then, pace was anybody’s guess.  (The half should be fun! )
• PDR—you know, I refrained from spilling the beans about your (and WRFB’s) race.  Will we hear from you in another RR?  (Hint, hint)  We miss you around here.
• lamerunner—I know exactly what you mean about those “looking good” comments!  But I know they mean well and there are runners who like that stuff.  Crowds are just not my thing.

Again, thanks everyone. 

yes, I go back to read Tramps

 Now I know!

 

• Karin—you are tough and smart!  I would never, ever remember splits.  Heck, when people ask me about PRs, I have to tell them I don’t remember!  I can remember my marathon PR, that’s it.

Naw, just an art history major and after memorizing art and artists in the slide study room for years (yikes, dating myself) I honed all that memorization stuff. Now what's your name again?  Actually last year for Boston it wasn't too tough---just 6 splits to remember for each 4 mile segment---30, 60, 90, 1:30, 2:00,2:30, 3:00----put head down, pump arms and hold on for the last 2 miles. Thanks for the props though (Sharpie markings on my forearm help too 

and yes, we go back and read.

The race sounds like a great event and your RR is written well. "Just a 10 now" always cracks me up. Hitting a goal is sweet.

Tramps, congrats on meeting your 1) goal and almost your 2) goal.  You do a great job of planning your race, adjusting your plan on the fly, and executing your plan.  I enjoyed your report.

TomS