I ran the Top of Utah Marathon today. I was hoping to break 3 hours but didn't quite do it. My previous PR was 3:03:42 on that course last year and I haven't done a marathon since. Last year 3:03 got me 2nd place and this year 3:01 got me nothing. When I registered for the race after taking 4 months (Dec-Mar) off for an injury I thought it would be a miracle if I ran as fast as last year.
For having a PR I think I should have enjoyed it more though. I spent most of the race discouraged and worried. I feel like I'm still getting over my head cold. My hamstring and Achilles started huring me around mile 13. I was afraid I might have a real problem. That hurt for several miles then my Quads hurt. I've had trouble with my quads for over a month now. I didn't do as many long runs in preparation this time and the few I did really wipped me out. I was worried I would totally fall to pieces the last 6 miles. Fortunately my body held together, but I didn't feel confident of that until about the last 3 miles.
My splits were: 6:31, 6:35, 6:41, 6:51, 6:51, 6:45, 6:52, 6:35, 6:47, 6:44, 6:42, 6:32, 6:35, 6:28, 6:41, 6:49, 6:47, 6:52, 6:53, 7:33 (walk @ water stop and stretch), 6:56, 7:19, 7:42 (another walk @ water stop and quick stretch), 7:35, 7:19, 7:16, last .39 @ 7:06 pace
I really sturggled miles 19 through 22, decided I would never do another marathon etc.. I thought I was coming up on mile 22 when I saw the 23rd mile marker. That was encouraging. When I stretched at the water stops I thought I was already in 6th place and couldn't see anyone in front of me. I felt discouraged about 6th place, but kept reminding myself I was on track for a PR. Later I learned one of the ladies ahead of me jumped in to run with someone and wasn't registered. When I passed her in mile 23 she told me she wasn't registered and that I was in 5th. But that didn't last long because Mary Ann ran by me looking really strong at about mile 24 1/2 and I just didn't have it in me to stay with her.
I was happy with my time and how good I felt the last 2 miles, especailly after how poorly I felt a few miles earlier. I swore off marathons at mile 20, but I still want to break 3 hours, so I guess I'll do another one. |