Notes
Obviously not what I wanted but a 5 min PR. I was comfortable with my training, the taper, carbo loading, and was ready to go. Much cooler early Sunday morning then expected, good breakfast where I felt full, and we head out to the camp ground for the starting line. As we are lining up and getting ready for the start I see a young woman in a UNC singlet and I ask her if I can take a picture. Although it was creepy, she was great and obliges, and felt like a good sign. After no warning the gun goes off. Nice and easy, flat, and uneventful. I tried to just enjoy the experience as much as possible and after being really nervous all day Saturday I’m feeling good. I feel like I have a really full stomach early on and I wonder if I will have to pee. About 3 in I take off my gloves. Just before 4 I realize the sun is warmer than I expected this earlier so I take off my long sleeve shirt and eventually give both to Fro who is crewing with Vangie. Once we get to about 5 miles the songs from our Morning Strength class comes which was an intentional warning that the hills were coming. I keep waiting for them to get bad but that never happens. Even 9 doesn’t seem terrible and when the watch hits 7:59.2 I think, “Is that it?”. My goal through the first 9 or 10 was to be just to be a little behind pace (5-10 seconds per mile) and that’s where I was. My watch always went off just before the mile marker and it got progressively longer. When the downhills start I wondered if it was made sense to stop to pee and right before 13 I decide to pull over. It was quick so I didn’t lose any time. A mile later I realize I have a rock in my shoe. That was a 5 second stop and again I don’t lose anything. The goal after 13 was to run 7:40 until 16. At 16 I would decide to go or not. 14 just under pace but 15 and 16 are a little fast. 17, 18, 19 ..I don't remember much and it's very uneventful. Unlike ES20, no crazy fast miles. My first off pace mile is 20 and I end up the mile marker around 2:35. I hang on thru 21 but now the calves start to act up. Weird pulsing kind of sensation with both legs. I slow down and it’s not good. Before 23 my watch goes off by itself. Also weird. Then the death march starts. I continue to struggle with my calves and can’t figure out what’s going on. I’ve hydrated all the way through (never missing a station), had tons of GUs, but now the aftermath of the hills have kicked in. Once the self bargaining starts I know I’m screwed. Just get to sub 3:30.that would be awesome. Just get under 3:40....Not good. When I got closer to the finish line people start calling my name and encouraging me to finish strong. When I finished I was tight, light headed, and nauseous. More mistakes from me during the race which is unfortunate but a great weekend with the crew and I’m glad I went and at least have some improvement to show for it.