Notes
I wasnt sure what to expect given a few runs in the 9-11 mile range in the last 2 months and about 15 miles average a week. But I knew it would be slow. I was hoping to beat my first and slowest marathon time of 5:29:40.
It started out overcast but quite warm - low 60's. rain was predicted for later in the race and when we started it was extremely humid. When the first raindrops fell at 2 miles in I was relieved. A nice light drizzle was just the thing.
And then the rain started for real. By mile 4 I couldnt have been more wet if I had taken a shower with my running clothes on. And it just got wetter from there. You would think that being from Oregon I would be used to that kind of weather and in truth I love running in the rain. But this wasnt rain. This was a deluge. At one point I could not see the road 200 ft in front of me.
And it was fantastic. I set off with the basic strategy to maximize my limited endurance training by running the flats and the downs and walking the up hills. I set my Garmin to show only average overall pace with an aim to keeping it in the 12 - 12:30 range but mostly figuring on ignoring it at least until the initial miles went by.
The rain did result in me running perhaps a little more than I originally intended. The wind was blowing strongly and occasionally I ran faster just to keep warm.
I ran/walked the first 6 miles in 1:09:58 or just under 11:33 min/mile.
I was worried about keeping that pace but I ran the next 6 miles in 1:10:12 so I was holding steady.
At mile 14 I retrieved my baggie of pretzels and started to think about maybe 5:15 as a goal, but I knew the biggest hills were still ahead of me
I ran 12-18 in 1:09:31 so through 18 miles I had been pretty steady with my walk run strategy. Right past mile 18 is the start of the big climb. Nearly a mile and a half of straight up. I walked most of this except when the winds kicked up and I started to get cold. Cold muscles can lock up and i didnt not want a freezing march of death. Came off the hills and started running again. I wasnt able to make up any of the time I lost to the big hill but I didnt really lose any more. Miles 18-24 was 1:15:18 or a little over 12.5 minute miles.
Through 22 I was feeling really good. Except for sore feet and some hot spots I had energy and no real pain. That my shoulder wasnt bothering my was fantastic, thats been one of my major fatigue issues since the car accident. Around 22 my back started tightening and I knew the fatigue was hitting. For the first time I had the "I just dont want to run anymore" feeling. I walked on a flat stretch for a few seconds and then thought "this would suck just as bad to walk it in so I might as well run" The last 4 miles were a fight mostly fueled by reminding myself that I had to finish before I could take my shoes off and I really really wanted to take my shoes off.
I felt like I fell apart at the end but I still managed 25:45 for the last 2.2 or about an 11:45 pace.
I squished around in the mud for awhile after the finished and then decided to go barefoot in the mud. It was cold but actually felt really good. I did have to put my shoes on after my car got stuck in the mud. I had mud up to my knees and took my shoes into the shower.
The only real injury in this race was serious chafe from the rain. I had a bloody sock to rival Schilling and a lot of other chafe that no amount of bodyglide could prevent. The most painful shower ever.
It was fantastic. Cant wait for next year.