VCM, 4:32:30, Humbled, but not Defeated
Today we had ideal weather condition for the marathon. The first 10 miles or so were run in light rain with temperatures ~60F, 16C at the start, and when the sun came out the temperatures only rose to 66F, 19C. I followed my game plan to a T, taking a 9:30 first mile, than running miles ~my 8:56 goal pace. By 10 miles I was on goal pace. I fell off pace some during miles 11&12, but I was able to bring mile 13 in sub goal pace, and I reached the 1/2 marathon at 1:57+. I struggled some the next two miles, but the largest hill in the race didn’t phase me much.
I knew I was in trouble, when I clocked over 10 minutes for the 16th mile. I did my first walking about then, and was able to regroup some, but I was in trouble. I mixed some running and walking, but miles 18, 19, 20, and 21 were each at least 30 seconds slower than the previous mile. My goal time, and 4:00 marathon goals were long gone, and by mile 21 so was any chance of a PR. The goal changed only to finishing. Mile 22 was my nadir, nearly 16 minutes, Then I regrouped some, knocking 1 minute off each each of the last 4 miles. The finish are was amazing, lots of faces I knew all of them cheering, all of them supportive, helping realize all that I accomplished.
May 24, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Congrats on the accomplishment.
May 24, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Well done on fighting through the race
May 25, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Congratulations on your race! It may not have been the PR you wanted, but you overcame your challenges and still finished well. You should take pride in your accomplishment and in the discipline and hard work you showed in your training. Great job!
May 26, 2009 at 12:44 am
Wow Michael - congratulations. You did a great job by seeing it through - you overcame any obstacles and just kept going. This is the attitude of a winner !