Rough day for alot of us today. Wind, rain, and cold temps made for a miserable day. Legs just really did feel great form the get go, but like every year, they just felt very heavy after Veyo. Felt good the first 6 and last 6 but just wasn't my day and I am ok with that. I still PRed by a few secpnds and by 4 mins in the race. (will add more details later)
I stayed at Marcie's friends cabin up in Pine Valley the night before and slept pretty good. Had some really crazy racing dreams and heard the wind but did get about 6 hours of good sleep (very unusual for me before a marathon). Woke up at 4:30 and ate some breakfast and got ready, none of noticed the rain until we left right before 6 am. Bummer and it was still windy. Drove to the start hoping the rain would let up driving down the mountain to the start, but it didn't. Waited in the car until 6:10 and then we decided to go to the start. Warmed up alittle and used the port-o-potties. Started the race in my siglet, gloves, and a plastic bag to keep me dry;) that really helped. Started the race with the leg not feeling that great but wasn't to worried becuase it usually takes them a couple of miles to warm up but I was allready not hitting the pace I wanted-1-7:28, 2-7:22, 3-7:05. I was running with a friend, Bruce and he was kind enough to block the wind for me through alittle bit. The next little section I felt decent 4-6:58, 5-7:04, 6-6:34, 7-6:40 But still not hitting the splits I want. Ok Veyo, this is where I feel like I lose it every year so I just took it really easy 8-8:27, 9-7:54 but could NOT get my legs back after this, very frustrating. But tell myself to wait until half way and you will be able to run a big negitive split. Dameron Valley killed my even more 10-7:48, 11-8:23 I can't believe what I am seeing, why can't I get my legs to move?!? 12-7:43, 13-7:21 halfway 1:38 Man o man this is just not what I was planning and my legs just feel achey and non responsive, but I press on thinking maybe I can turn this around. 14-7:45, 15-7:02, 16-6:58 legs still not responding and I am wondering if this is all worth all my training and dedication, but still press on. 17-7:22, 18-7:10, this is just crazy and the uphills just keep on coming 19-8:08, 20-7:31, 21-7:02, 22-7:39, 23-7:32, 24-7:18, 25-7:28, 26-7:42 and the last .2 I kicked in at a 6:38 pace and about feel on my face right before I got to the line. The last 6 I didn't pay much attention to my watch and thought I was going alot faster than I was because I was passing so many people (still had a few pass me as well). But I was able to keep a consistant effort and didn't feel to bad the last 6miles just really cold, wet and miserable. As for meeting my goals I felt like I wasn't given a chance to run a smart race because I really didn't get to race it at the level I trained and I was NOT fun conditions. I did PR in this race and in the marathon. I didn't break 3 hours so that will have to wait for next year. No top 10 finish :( but I am OK that I didn't do what I KNOW I can do and Paul T did beat me but that is alright as well, he ran a strong race:) I did run a little negitive split. | 