Yay! I feel like a real runner again! I was unsure how to approach this race, knowing that I have only been back on my legs for a couple of weeks, and also knowing that I have a full marathon to run in only a couple of months. I went back and forth on the issue, because I really feel stronger and think that I could push it harder, but also knowing that my body is unaccustomed to the impact. Luckily, I met a fellow named Matt at the convention I was attending who was shooting for a sub-two-hour half, and I decided to run with him, to help pace him, and to help pace myself. His previous race time was 2:11, I think. We started out with our group, Bill Phillip's Transformers, at the very end of the 9,000 runners. Needless to say, we did a LOT of weaving! We ran the first couple of miles in about 18 minutes, and then I told him I was going to start taking walk breaks after every five minutes of running. He said, "Good, because you're kicking my butt!" I think I worked him pretty hard, but I felt great the entire race, and was able to converse naturally, even though my pace consistently increased throughout the run. Poor Matt had to break out his inhaler around mile 10, but I dragged him along until the last mile. We had about 1.4 to go, and 12 minutes to do it in. I said, "Do you want to get your sub-two, or do you just want to finish?" He said, "I just want to curl up and die right now...but whatever." I could tell he was struggling, but we continued along at an 8 minute pace, until the last 0.4 miles, and then I just had to sprint! I ended up crossing the finish line with my garmin reading 13.2 miles at 2:00:41. My official chip time was 2:00:38. Overall, I placed 2520 out of 9229 runners, was 970 out of 5783 women, and placed 229 out of 1186 in my division. Not too shabby for two weeks of training, methinks! I know I could have gone faster, but I think I did the right thing. We DID take a 2.5 minute potty-break, but sometimes running on an empty bladder is SO much better than sticking it out! Anyway, Matt decided that if he subtracted the potty-break, he still reached his goal of a sub-two...so I think as soon as he forgives me for running him so hard, he'll be pretty happy with his race. He finished about 20 seconds behind me. Maybe I should have waited for him.....nah. :D
It was a rock 'n Roll Marathon, so we had live bands every mile or so, and only a few cheerleading squads. The course was nice...some light up-hills in the first 8 miles through some beautiful neighborhoods, and then mostly gradual down-hills in the last 5 miles. Just enough of a change in elevation to keep my legs fresh. I haven't had any soreness...so far. It was a great race! I loved it! :D | 