It was pouring cats & dogs all Friday and Saturday. Forecast showed rain all Sunday too. Amongst us who were running CIM, we were agonizing over how bad it was going to be on race day. But the weather gods took mercy on us and gave us wonderfully perfect running weather. It was even raining as we drove to the race start, but the moment we got out the car, it stopped. The whole race was crisp mid-40s, and it started clearing up and even the show started to show towards the end! Wow! What a dace to race!
I started a tad bit too fast at 6:30-6:35 pace. I was able to hold a solid 6:37 avg. pace for the first 14 miles. Then the pace dropped to 6:50-6:55-ish but I was able to dig in and not let the pace creep slower than 7 min/mi. In the last 1.5 miles I just wrung out every last ounce of energy to eke out 6:35 min/mi. After I crossed the finish, I was DONE! There was nothing left... ZIP. I have almost forgotten how exactly I felt like after SF, but this was very close to that.
Made sub-3 which was the goal, but not happy with how I paced. Was a bit overly optimistic when I started out, but realized half way through that it was not sustainable. Luckily no cramps, but I was redlining for the last 10K. I hope one day I will be able to run a marathon where I won't feel miserable for the last 10K. Or maybe that's just how you are supposed to feel, otherwise you have not pushed hard enough 🤷
What can be done better?
- Gel every 4 miles
- Better strategy to carry salt tabs and sportlegs so that I don't fumble with them and drop half the tabs on the road
- DO NOT forget Hotshot! I really could have used it today after mile 17.
- Resist unrealistic temptations of hitting goals you cannot hit. And therefore, start conservatively.
