Run: Race Next

4/15/2013

9:01 AM

26.5 mi

2:51:55

6:30 mi

Weather

Ratings

10 / 10
10 / 10
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Notes

Yesterday I got to experience two very different feelings, complete exuberance and utter disgust. I woke up the morning of the marathon so excited to experience this day. I boarded the bus and realized I was standing next to James Beyer from Oakwood (small world), we boarded the bus together and discussed previous marathons on the way to Hopkinton. I had dreamed for years of heading to Hopkinton, athlete’s village, and heading to the Boston Marathon start line. It was everything I dreamed about and more.

I listened as the best marathon runners were read out over the intercom and lined up for one of the most prestigious marathon majors in the world. The race started and surge of 1,000's of runners started. The streets were lined with spectators nearly the entire course. I gave thousands of high fives, and was looked for that one boy that looked about 10-11 years old so I could stop and tell him THIS was my dream since I was his age. I hope it would spark what sparked for me when I watched it on the TV at his age.

I took the race conservative, watching my splits going downhill for 7 miles. I kept myself in check when the crowed would rise up and give you goose bumps. I ran by the Wellesley girls holding up signs from everywhere in the U.S. asking for kisses and screaming at the top of their lungs… don’t worry I only gave them high fives… pretty much all of them (even the ones that said they were “Experienced!”). I was told to keep the emotions in check because when you pass the scream tunnel you’re only half way. That’s OK, I planned for it. I felt great. My first half of the marathon was a 1:25:35.

The hills start now. Knowing the back half the course is going to be tough now is the time to find that person you think will be your guide through it. I found a guy from Hawaii and matched my stride, he looked strong, he looked experienced and I tucked in behind him and imagined that I looked the part as well. I hung on through the water stops keeping him in my eye and realized how inefficient I was on water stops, I would have to surge after them to catch him again but ultimately he kept me focused. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 19, 20 I continued to follow him… he was breaking down I could tell, on heart break hill I made a move, his running partner (same jersey) went with me, he took the lead and although his stride didn't match mine and was much shorter than I was. I used him as my guide through heart break and down the hill afterwards… this guy was tough, posting a 6:10 on the crest of heartbreak and the following mile. I stuck with him, losing some ground but he got me to mile 23.

It was then I realized what I had expecting to happen miles before that the big “wall” was starting to present itself. It’s OK, I was thanking God it waited this long, I had a plan for how I was going address hydration, gels, and my electrolyte pills. Water on evens and Gatorade on odds, Gels on the fives, and electrolyte pills every 45 min. I was able to push back the wall by over 30 minutes and those that have run marathons realized that’s about the best you can do. At 23 I had hoped I was going to sub-split the next 3 but instead it started to become a battle just to hold the 6:29 -6:30 pace.

I was proud of myself, even if I crashed and burned the last three; I had crushed my personal best! 3 miles to go and it was wall to wall people 4-5 people deep screaming, I couldn't think, I could only focus the screams and even then I would get chills and a little emotional about how close I am to finishing. As I turned onto Hereford and onto Boylston Street, I could see my goal finally ahead--THE FINISH LINE. I could have picked it up, I had some energy left, instead I took it all in ---I had reached my goal, perfectly executed per my training plans and soaked it up. I didn't finish in 2:49 or 2:50 but I didn't care.

I finished in 2:51:51, and for you stat heads my Garmin said 26.42 (.22 long) probably because of poor course running on my part (water stops, tangents, high fives, etc)–I was closer on my watch to the time I expected that my finishing time. This was a tough course, there was a head wind, and it was harder than I expected. I finished healthy, I finished strong, and healthy enough to jog through parts of the finishing area so I could meet up with Nicole.

Time for 26.2 on Garmin: 2:50:10 -- 10 seconds off my training.

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