5th overall. Jake, Riley, and Dave are just too fast. ;-) I'll write more tonight. Pretty happy, all things considered...
Quick race report: I had zero expectations going into this race. In fact, last night, sitting in the hotel room, I had very little interest in running. I hadn't once thought about pacing, splits, goal times, etc until Thursday night when I landed in Vegas after flying down from Medford. Life is busy (I realize I'm no different to anyone else) but as work, family, MBA, etc has increased, running is getting pushed to the side. So it goes. The ONE thing that is keeping me hanging on is the desire to run a sub-2:30 but who knows if that's going to happen. Anyway, training hadn't been great (no races since last October, mileage less than the last few marathon training cycles, etc) but I'll take what I can get. Anyway, on to the race... I got up at 3:10 Pacific time--brutal. No issues getting to the bus, and then to the starting line. One portapotty stop and then to the starting line with just a couple minutes to spare. Ran with a garmin for the first time since 2009 and my second marathon? It's been a while. I usually do better when I start out conservatively so the first mile was 5:59 but I was soon realized I needed to pick it up or I'd have too big of a hole to dig out of. Mile 2 in 5:44 and mile 3 in 5:38. By mile 2 I was already in no-mans land. Jake, Dave, Riley and a couple others were loooong gone and no one else wanted to run my pace so all alone I ran. For the next 24 miles. Alone. The rest of the race.... Yuck. I tried to catch Dave but didn't happen. Mile 4 in 5:35. Miles 5 and 6 were the only climbs in the entire race and I just kind of piddled along in 5:55 and 6:09. I passed a guy here who was hardly moving and moved into 7th place. Mile 7 in 5:50 and then the long straight-aways started (I loved them--easy to get in a groove). I saw in the distance (nearly a mile ahead?) 2 guys, one wearing a red tank and black shorts. I thought it was Dave and really wanted to catch him so for the next 10 miles (!!) that was my goal. Took me ages to accomplish this goal ;-) Miles 8-14 were uneventful. Splits were 5:37, 5:42, 5:42, 5:45, 5:32, 5:45, 5:44. At this point I'm STILL trying to catch Dave, and making progress, but it's taking a bit. Feeling good, feeling strong, no wall in sight. Half split was 1:16:26. I was getting closer to Dave and by mile 16 I caught him....but turns out is wasn't him. Bummer. Miles 15-16 in 5:40 and 5:41. The guy who wasn't Dave was running with another guy and when I caught them, I told them to stick with me but they ignored me or something cause they didn't come with me. So I guess I ran with someone for 3 seconds, but that's it. Miles 17-23 were still solid and I was feeling good. Not great, but no "wall" and I was seriously thinking that despite my slow start and slow hills, I could make it up and go sub-2:30. Splits were 5:39, 5:44, 5:38, 5:42, 5:41, 5:41, 5:41. Pretty even and I felt solid. But then I got tired... My stomach was feeling full and I stopped drinking Powerade at mile 19. That seemed to take its toll the last few miles. Mile 24 in 5:56 and mile 25 in 5:56 as well. Nearly got hit by a car--as I was approaching an intersection and trying to determine if we were turning or going straight, I noticed that there were 10-15 half marathoners who were stopped and stretching. Strange. About 10 feet away a guy looked back and, seeing me approaching, stated "that guy's gonna be PISSED." I quickly realized he meant me and the fact that the cop was making runners stop for cars! Forget that--I dodged the first car and the second car slammed on its brakes as it skidded towards me. Missed my left knee by a couple feet. I didn't say nice things to the cop. Then I proceeded straight through the intersection before being redirected to change direction and go left (all the stretching runners had blocked the turn sign so I missed it). I didn't say nice things to then either. The sudden turn shredded a blood blister in my right foot and I ran jacked up the final couple miles. So...that's clearly the reason why I slowed down. Haha. Kidding of course. It wasn't a big deal, but definitely added some "excitement" to the race. Mile 26 in 5:56 (consistent the last 3, eh?) and then who knows the split for the last .2. Garmin's are kinda lame... ;-) Oh yeah, and I've been accumulating $ that I find on runs in 2013. So far I'm around $8.00. Anyway, between 26 and the finish line, I passed a $5 bill and was VERY tempted to stop and pick it up. I probably should have since my goal time was shot. Haha. So I kinda hit the wall, but I didn't walk for the first marathon in FOREVER and held it together somewhat successfully. Was able to run a negative split which is saying something based on my blow ups in the past and the course profile (steeper first half, flat the second half). I loved the course, thought everything was top-notch and had a blast. And coming from Oregon, it was HOT. But the race took place in Phoenix so....it's to be expected. Wish I would have caught Dave (or ran with him from the start) but he's too speedy for me. Maybe next time. Newport in June. 2:30 or bust.
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