PHOENIX MARATHON
FINALLY....a marathon result that I'm fully satisfied with AND where I didn't have to take any pits stops! Man, it's so much easier to keep a good rhythm and pace when you don't stop.
I didn't have high expectations at all for this race. I have been sick probably 40% of 2014 so far with that terrible cold/flu and then last week with shingles. My knee has also been bothering me and caused me to miss some mileage in the buildup. So, before even hearing about the bad weather forecast I was set on lowering my expectations (2:20) and shooting for the best place I could get (hopefully a win). But once I saw the forecast I was even more set on not worrying about time at all. I wanted a conservative start and just go from there being ready to race late in the race.
The forecast was basically a monsoon with 15 MPH headwind. It sounded awful. Luckily when I woke up the wind wasn't 15 MPH (although it was still a 5-7 MPH headwind the entire 26.2) and it hadn't rained yet. Dave picked me up and we met Jason and were off to the start line. I had 4 pre-race bathroom visits and an emergency 5th right before the start. Certainly that would be good enough right? No warm-up.
Minutes before the start, it started raining hard, and the rain continued through mile 5 or so and then it wasn't really a factor after that. For the first 5 miles or so Jason, Clyde, and I were trading leads in the wind every half mile or so. But, there had to be like 15 guys still right on our tails up to the hills at mile five. Splits 1-4 (NOT garmin splits; I knew from last year that garmin would measure this course 1/4 mile long, so I switched my autolap to 2 miles and just hit the split button on the mile marks) 5:30 5:23 5:27 5:17
Jason and I got a little separation at five on the hills, still switching leads to break the wind. Jason got a bit antsy on mile 6 on the hill and I advised him to relax and conserve a bit of energy. I nursed a GU for 1.5 miles on this stretch. Miles 5-6 5:40 5:49
Now you have two more miles of good downhill and then it's relatively flat (actually downhill, but so little downhill that it seems flat). Jason and I still switching but at 8 we hear footsteps and have company before 9. Miles 7-9 5:13 5:37 (this split had to be long and the next short as this miles was good downhill - garmin had this split as 1.04 miles and the next as 0.99) 5:06
I lead for a good deal here thinking Jason was tired and wanting him to stay with me as long as possible, but after awhile he was like, "Hey dude, I can take it now". So I was happy to oblige; meanwhile third place guy is drafting like mad off us, but also breathing hard enough that I wasn't overly concerned. The three of us came through together at the half in 1:11:17 I think (haven't checked for sure). Miles 10-13 10:42 (no 10-mile marker on course so 10 & 11) 5:22 5:28
At 14 I went to pull Gu number two from my pocket and dropped it...dang. Luckily, I had a third I had packed and I pulled it out and nursed it for the next 1.5 miles (my new nutrition strategy, just a tiny bit at a time). Also at 14 we run by Jason's family and he gets a shot of andrenaline and drops me and third place guy. This strung us out and Jason had 8 seconds on me by 15 and I had 10 or so on third. Mile 14 5:23
The Gu started to kickin and I felt a resurgance. I thought, "Only 12 to go, I can do that at this pace. That's just barely further than a 10-mile aerobic builder at a slightly slower pace". I measured gap to Jason at 8 seconds and set out to lessen it. I think I caught up to him by 16.5 or so and said, "Let's go buddy!" After that though I think I put 5-10 seconds a mile on him for the next few miles. Miles 15-17 5:21 5:19 5:18
Now I was thinking, "I'm winning a marathon! Just keep this pace and it's yours. Don't let up. Keep on it, it's just a 9-mile builder". I just kept clicking off 5:20s give or take a few seconds and I felt pretty good. My pace was fairly constant the rest of the way.
With three to go, I started really getting encouragement from the half-marathoners I was passing. Grabbed a gel from aid station 23 and took 1/3 as a precaution, though I felt pretty good minus some calf fatigue. The last few miles dragged on but the pace stayed pretty good. I felt I could've gone another 3-4 miles if someone put a gun to my head, but obviously was more than happy to be done.
As I came through the last 2 tenths my parents stepped out a bit and I high-fived my Dad. I was so happy! I let out a scream as I crossed the line and was really elated. 2:21:42! Are you kidding me? I really didn't think that was in the cards at all today. Miles 18-26 5:20 5:20 5:22 5:19 5:19 5:26 5:29 5:16 5:31 (another garmin 1.04) and 5:07 pace for that last .22.
The Ogden Crew:
My biggest fans and support crew (Amy won Women's 10k!)
And the top three men, all with baby in hand
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