Notes
OK - finally getting back to this - wow, a whirlwind tour.
Had a great couple of pre-race days in Pittsburgh with Brenda and eating a ton of garbage carbs (Krispy Kreme, Primanti Bros, IC Light beer, etc) - to a point where I was wondering if it was going to hurt me at the race. Got into Erie late friday and spend most of saturday laying low and getting ready. Made up my mind on the flight there that I was going to be smart on this one and not trying to "kill it", but do what I needed to do - that's a 3:20:00 nothing more, nothing less (kill a 7:38 pace all day and see what happens). JUST DO YOUR JOB!
Got to bed early that night after feeling completely fat and full - strangely slept like a baby (Never happens for me in a hotel room bed). Huge storm went through the area that night and I woke up to cool and dry conditions with a slight breeze. For once the weather was on my side - yeah race day.
Read in the race reports from previous years that the traffic getting into the state park was really bad that morning - so we headed out early and it was still pitch black dark outside. Sure enough, pulled into the park entrance to a huge traffic jam. Began to wonder if I was going to make it on time. Parking was a nightmare - but it was OK. Had 30 minutes to do my thing and take the token pre-race picture for Brenda (oh how I love this).
Got lined up and had time to meet a few guys who I would run with the whole way - there would be no repeat of Vermont City, I was ready to race and keep my head down - business to take care of. One cool distraction, the race had a drone at the start that flew overhead and took some cool shots.
Gun went off and I settled in real fast to my pace - strangely enough had a few early miles that were on the quick side, but got into the groove quickly. Miles went by fast and really before I knew it, we were approaching the 10k mark. Great time to say this course was beautiful. Tree-lined almost the whole way, one small hill and some great views of the lake in between the trees. There were some stretches of concrete, but really didn't notice it. The first half of the race was really uneventful. I hit the first half feeling real fresh and confident - UNLIKE any other marathon yet. I gave myself a chance at my goal by being smart.
Hit the 14 mile mark and decided to latch onto a guy named Mark from Wexford, PA. We spent some time talking and honestly the miles just melted away. Before I knew it, were were passing the 20 mark. How the hell that happened, I have no idea. Every race I've done 14-20 have been my real challenge - the slowest pace and a mental grind. Not today. Mark and I were passing people left and right at this point. I decided at 16 to power load the two GU I had knowing that at 23 I would get another one - this was a HUGE decision. Nothing real eventful until 22 to be honest.
Miles 21 brought the only hill on the course - I was feeling real good here and decided to leave Mark as he was laboring a bit. So we wished each other well and I kept pace. Nothing crazy here, just hitting pace all day. Got over the "hill" and was feeling good. A little after 22, the only real hiccup occurred. Started to feel some tightness in my right quad/hammy - it was more on the side of my leg. Decided to slow it a bit and throw down 3 mustard packets in a row. Almost friggin hurled, but damn if it didn't work - between that and the GU I took earlier, I was good to go. Tried my best to hold onto 7:39 and was again passing people left and right.
The last 3 miles of this thing was a serious trail of tears. I saw way more people than in other races just broke down: walking, cramped and even a few just not doing well. Attribute it to being a highly advertised "fast" course and people just pushing it with all they had to PR/BQ/get there desired results. I felt bad for each runner as they represent their own story of perseverance (been there done that). It wasn't going to be me - had business to take care of - Not today, not now....
Got my legs back around 23.5 or so and really hammered down. Looking at my watch at 24, I realized that if I could pick it up, I had a chance at breaking 3:20 - so I picked it up and gave it all I had for the last 2.2. Those last miles were exactly what I had on that day. I held back and stayed disciplined for 24 miles - the last two, I gave it what I had.
Turned the corner at 26 and hit the home stretch.... man what a feeling. Lined with people and the finish line in view, I knew I had it. There would be no squeaking into Boston. Two years of fighting just came out. No better feeling crossing that line. Boston 2017 here I come. Been a long strange trip, but worth every injury, heartbreak, beating, smile, let down, training run. THANKS CIRCLE NORTH - loved every mile with you damn knucklheads!
All this being said - this race reinforced for me why I do this - I had a BLAST every mile at this race. The last 3-4 were difficult and I was fighting fatigue, but I have no doubt that I had a shit-eating grin on my face the whole way. This is why I run. What a blast and a hell of a time. Are you kidding me - I get to race?! Hell yeah - I'm a marathon runner and lovin it!
I also don't want to be weird here, but this race report is more for me - so get over it. I COMPLETELY attribute every inch of this race and my training cycle to my relationship with Jesus! There is no doubt HE carried me every mile and and in Him I am more than a conqueror. Had a blast talking with Him every mile - Jehovah Jireh!!! When's the next one?
Stats:
208 out of 1385 finishers
30 out of 125 in age group (45--49)
Splits:
2.75: 20:49
10K: 47:07
13.1: 1:40:26
15.85: 2:01:13
20M: 2:32:40
CLOCK: 3:20:40
NET: 3:20:25/7:39