Now that I have had a good 24 hours to think things over I have come to a rather positive conclusion about the race. For my first one it was a great learning experience. Despite talking to around a dozen people who told me to not go out too fast- I did! I ran through 18 miles feeling great and was thinking, "I feel so good. How could this possibly end up bad." But it did! After running 1:12:30 for the first half I ended up running 1:19:25 for the second half (And honestly, most of that time came in the last 4 miles where I was having a hard time just running a 7 minute mile. Maybe it's one of those things I needed to learn the hard way.
I'm happy with my overall time and with my place. I'm sure I made Justin's day when he looked up and saw me practically walking the last mile. I heard someone say, "You better get going or the other marathoner is going to catch you!". I tried but not even million dollars was going get me moving. I did have trouble with blisters and cramping in my calves but the real problem was just energy. I took 2 gels and then when I planned on a third I just didn't have the stomach for it. I guess that's pretty much how my training has been. I have no problem with gels while running my 18 or 20 mile training runs. It's after that distance that it was hard and my stomach was right on edge the whole time.
Looking back I wish I had stuck with my plan better (obvsiously) and had taken more gel before the 20 mile mark while my stomach was good. I am happy to have ran that well despite the few sets backs. Also, next time I run I plan on collapsing at the finish so that I can get an IV like Steve! I was pretty messed up a the end. Today though hasn't been too bad. Some calf soreness and fatigue but overall pretty good. Not nearly as bad as a few of those trail races last year. I'm already looking at plans for another marathon- not sure just yet.
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