3:16:57/7:31
My focus was 3:20. I didn't have a plan B. This was it. I wanted 3:20 so that's what I went for...
7:46, 7:42, 7:23, 7:21, 7:39, 7:10, 7:16, 8:24, 7:52, 7:49, 8:01, 7:43, 7:32, 7:33, 7:22, 7:17, 7:20, 7:25, 7:35, 7:24, 7:11, 7:23, 7:23, 7:13, 7:14, 7:20, 1:43(7:01 pace)
1st Half- 1:40:44
2nd Half- 1:36:13
This day couldn't have gone any better for me. I'm so happy with how this race went. Started out feeling good and the feeling never left me. Rode down with Josse, Mom and Darren on Thursday night. We all went for a little shake out run in the morning and got odds and ends done in the morning. Went to the expo after lunch. We were all surprised at how cool it was, but we weren't complaining. Spent more time at the expo than expected but I got some really cute shorts for $5. Score!! Relaxed for a bit and went to an earlyish dinner at Brick Oven. I went with a pizza... wrong choice. Felt really bloated and gross, but nothing I could do at this point. Just hoped it would be ok for tomorrow. Gotta say I love going to dinner with the early crew(aka Senior Citizens), sit right down with no wait and food comes fast :p
Fueling- Before bus- banana w/ PB and milk. Bus ride- hard boiled egg and 3fuel/E7 drink, water. Decided to go with a 400 calorie First Endurance EFS flask w/ electrolites, 5 hr energy and a back up 2nd Surge gel w/ caffiene. Took my first swig of my flask at mile 7(right before Veyo) and kinda randomly through out. Took half of the 5 hr and the half way point(or at 11, I can't remember now) and the rest at mile 20ish. Finished my flask with about 4 miles to go. It worked well. I didn't need the backup gel.
Notes to remember- Standing by the trees blocks the chilly wind and having a throw away blanket to wrap up in until the start is something to not forget!
We got on the buses at about 5:15 and got to the starting line about 40 minutes before the race start. Perfect amount of time. It was a bit weird to get up there so late though. Had just enough time for prep stuff and only stood in the corrals for a few minutes. Having the blanket was still very helpful. I didn't feel like I was wasting energy shivering and trying to stay warm. The gun went off and it was time. Running the first few miles in the dark make them go by so fast and it feels like the race doesn't start until the sun comes up and you can see. The first few I took really easy. They felt slow but I made sure to hold myself back on the pace so I could have a negative split. I wanted to feel strong at the end. Made it to the 10K split clock(46;27) and things felt easy and on track. Tried to stay in the present, focusing on form and not thinking past Veyo. Took in fuel at the station right before Veyo and set myself up to take the hill slow and easy. I knew I had banked a few seconds in the previous miles so I wasn't worried about what the split was. Half way up I decided I was taking it too easy so I picked it up. Dammeron Valley was a hard seciton for me. Still just tried to focus on form and the right now. I kept my arm warmers and gloves on until half way. So grateful to have such cool temps this morning! Got to the 30K split point(2:21:00) and my legs still felt very strong and form was still on. At this point I felt like I had this and if I was going to go for it I should pick it up a bit. The only thing in my head... form, form, form, crush it, cruch it, crush it and this moment this mile. I literally had a smile on my face from this point all the way to the finish. I could not believe how good I felt at the water station coming out of the canyon I was more confident than ever that I could finish strong and CRUSH IT. The kid at this station told me to take advantage of the down hill and go. It was helpful to hear that. I took it in and went. Saw Rachelle somewhere near the end and it gave me another boost. Turned the corner and just held on and took it in to the finish.
This is probably the best marathon I have ever had. I don't think I could have felt better mentally or physically. Things came together for me today and I feel blessed to have friends and family here to support and chanllenge me. Can't wait to keep learning and improving. The future is looking brite! :0)
Special thanks to Josse for helping me with workouts, injuries and being the best sister ever!
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