Running a marathon is tough. If it was easy more than 2% of the population would run them. You train your ass off for 12-16 weeks and when race day arrives, sometimes it simply is not your day for whatever reason. I would learn this the hard way for this race.
After a great 3rd marathon last fall at NCR it was time to pick a spring race. I wanted to pick a race in the spring that weather would be cool but no matter when race is weather always a crapshoot. Picked RnR USA which was the old National race before RnR took it over this year It was in middle of March and chances were weather would be cool and not a good chance of warmer weather like a May race.
Decided to mix up training a bit this cycle and give a Hudson plan a go. Lot more hill sprints, progression runs, and quality LR's that I have not done in my prior marathons. Just sort of thing I needed to improve on what I accomplished in the fall. Training cycle went well even if my mileage was not as consistent as I would have liked for one reason or another. Still finished cycle strong and confident about my goals going into RnR.
If Gettysburg taught me anything it was not to set the bar too high when it came to race goals. The way my cycle ended I was very confident about a sub3:40 goal targeting something in the 3:38:xx range. 3:40-3:45 and sub3:51:21 rounding out my B & C goals.
Race day arrived and weather was unseasonable warm for this time of year especially after training in 20/30s all cycle. Temps about 55-50 at start were not ideal, but out of my hands. Still optimistic I could get this done.
Mile 1-6 - I was lined up in Corral 6 which was not bad with a field of 24,000 runners. Met a runner from neighboring Waynesboro, PA. Small world even on race day. They released our corral and I was off and running a marathon for the fourth time. Field was not that bunched up, but wanted to be conservative with the pace to start off. First mile at 8:41 a little slower than I would have liked followed by splits of 8:12 & 7:31. Not sure if the mile 3 split was all that accurate with going thru an underpass and losing GPS with the Garmin. Early on looking good and right on pace for a sub3:40 at 8:20 pace Miles 4, 5, & 6 in 8:11, 8:31, and 8:16. Lots of hills early on but nothing I am not used to back in PA. Some time at this point I did something to my right ankle. Not sure if I landed on it wrong or what happened. It was not hampering my pace at this point, so I kept on going. After 6 miles on pace for a 3:41 time with 8:24 pace.
Miles 7-13.1 - Still feeling food at this point and weather not too warm yet. Countered the warm weather by dumping water over my head at each aid station. It seemed to keep me cool early on along with Gu's, Endurolytes and water. Splits for miles 7-13 at 8:31, 8:19, 8:15, 8:07, 7:56, 8:22, and 8:22. At 13.1 mark in at 1:49:48 right on target for sub3:40. Found Mile 13.1 tough as more than 75% of the field veering left as us marathoners went right. I was still feeling good so kept on keeping on.
Miles 14-18 - Miles 14-18 were probably the turning point in the race for me. Mile 14 slower at 8:50. Not sure with the split off that effected me as I was still feeling strong. Did not let it rattle me. One mile split don't make a race. Refocused miles 15 & 16 with splits of 8:13 and 7:52. About mile 16 it felt like temps on the rise and felt it was harder to keep pace as my breathing felt like it was laboring. At this point I was starting to have some doubts about keeping pace. About same time my ankle started really bothering right around mile 17 with a split of 9:02 Throw in a side-stitch and it was what did me in. I think all those factors too much for me to deal with and got me off my game. Looking back I need to be stronger but not sure I could of done more with a bum wheel. Mile 18 at 9:35 and my race was spiraling out of control.
Miles 19-25 - Ankle really killing me at this point and a DNF never entered my mind. I ran as long as I could tolerate discomfort and take a walk break. About mile 20 I told myself I am never running another marathon as I was so mad my race fell apart after it going so well for 17 miles and mostly due to circumstances out of my control. I did this until mile 25. Won't bore you with the splits, but let's just say they were bad.:)
Mile 25-26.2 - When I got to mile 25 I told myself I am running the rest of the way. Gave it all I had left and counted steps to gut it out until mile 26. The last .2 found another gear and sped to finish. I must face passed 25-30 runners determined to finish this tough day strong. Crossed the finish in 4:25:22. My personal worst marathon.
Looking back I just got to chalk it up as a bad day. I was ready for this race. I know deep down I really was. After such a great cycle it was very frustrating to finish like I did. I think each race is a learning experience and for RnR I think that sometimes it is just not your day but not a indicator of the runner you are. I thought I had my bad race last year and that one made me a stronger runner for the better. If nothing else this will give me even more drive for the fall. Watch out Mary! You may have knocked me down...again, but don't count Billy out! That's a promise!
Thanks for reading!
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