I am still in shock at the results of the Maine Marathon yesterday. First the details and then the discussion.
FACTS (link):
Bib #: 3135
Distance: 13.1 mile
Gun time: 1:52:12
Net time: 1:50:12
Pace (net time): 8:24 min/mile
Place in age group: 64/131
Overall place: 491/1863
Weather: low 60's, no breeze, cloudy
Photoset
THOUGHTS:
Race day started out at 6:30am when I woke up in Brunswick. We eventually made it into Portland (minor traffic in Maine...crazy) and made our way over to the starting line. I had barely enough time to stretch and take a GU before the national anthem and the proceeding gunshot were heard. This did not leave me enough time for my nerves to get the best of me before the race started. I was in the back of the pack at the gunshot, but eventually made it to the the starting line where I was finally able to start running and not walking. At this point I was thinking that it was going to be a long run, but even if I had to walk a bit, I would finish....my goal.
The first 2 miles or so were very crowded. There was lots of weaving between groups of runners. I thought I might had been going too fast to maintain, but I figured I had no clue what pace I was going anyways so I might as well just go with it. The miles just seem to fly right past. Even without music, the intensity of the race kept my mind constantly moving and I was constantly passing people. Everything felt great...I even skipped the first two water stops.
The beginning of the course (link) was real scenic. It followed along a cove and then went over a bridge with water on both sides. Granted, I was more focused on the running, than the scenery, but I did manage to get some peeks in on occasion. The course then went through some neighborhoods where residents were outside their houses cheering everyone on and some even had water and orange slices. Definitely interesting. Around mile 6 I realized that I was nearing the longest run of my life... I hadn't stopped to walk, I didn't have cramps, my legs felt fine, everything was great. About a mile from the turnaround the first relay stop provided a bunch of cheering. Even though there was no one in the crowd specifically for me, the sounds and cheering gave me a little turbo boost. After the cheering section there were a couple of small hills, but nothing I couldn't handle....apparently.
After the turnaround I figured I would start slowing down from fatigue, but that wasn't the case at all. I wasn't passing as many people, but I was keeping pace with the pack in front of me. The last mile marker I remember was mile 10 when I realized that I only had a 5k left. I realized that I could push through it without stopping, which was utterly unbelievable to me. I couldn't remember my last run without slowing down from cramps or something.
I heard some people talking about how the last mile of the race was awful because as you are rounding the cove in the home stretch, you can see the finish line, but it just seems to get farther and farther away. Well that was definitely the case. With all the turns at the end, the finish seemed to never come, but was in sight. But then...then I pushed with everything I had and ran through the finish. One hour, fifty minute, and twelve seconds later.
Then I saw my father at the finish. He managed to snap a shot of me at the end of the race, giving it all I had. I couldn't believe what I had just accomplished...I still can't believe.
An 8:24 pace. I don't think I have ever run any significant mileage at an 8:30 pace, let alone 13 miles at this pace. The results of this race make me believe that I am capable of running in the half Ironman. I was concerned for a bit, but I just did it. I just ran a half marathon.
My legs are in pain today, it definitely feels like I ran a half marathon yesterday. I am so glad that my office doesn't have stairs.
Next race: GCF Half Marathon November, 8, 2009. I am actually going to train for this one. Granted its only 4 weeks away, but I'll do more training than I did for the Maine marathon. I still have yet to decide what my time goal is going to be.
Swim, Bike, Run...LIFE
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