Top of the Key

Race came and went pretty quickly.  This is my 2nd open marathon, the previous one being Denver in 07 when it snowed and rained the whole race.  Sine then, I’ve improved my running alot, so this was a good test to see where I’m at.

The course is absolutely beautiful, and I highly recommend it to anyone on the marathon kick to try this one out.  Very hilly, deceivingly so, with lots of gradual ups and downs.  The weather was perfect.  Family was there for support which was a bonus.  And even met up with a fellow high school classmate who’s wife was running.

Different approach this time to the race in terms of nutrition, and it worked out perfectly.  Keeping it light was the goal.  Started the race slower than target race pace for the first 3 miles, as I watched hundreds of people pass me (I came in 42nd overall, so must have done something right).  After mile 3, I just locked in on overall target pace and kept it there till mile 14.  Tim said to do this so you can finish strong, and that I did.  After mile 15, where I saw my in-laws, I dropped my arm warmers and just decided to kick it up a notch.  I thought, why not, get through the next 5 miles, and then deal with the final 10k.  I’ve run a bunch of 10k’s, so just pull from those experiences when you get there.  But for right now, get these next 5 done.

Really started to pass lots of runners.  Kept drinking water and pouring it over my head, while occasionally drinking cytomax (awful, very awful).  Got to mile 20 and then it was a 10k race.  My last 6 miles averaged 7:10 pace, up there with some of my best 10k’s.  Finished really strong, except hurt alot for the last mile.  It was a gradual uphill, and felt like i was running in place.  Saw my parents at the final bend with .2 miles to go.  That got me motivated and crossed the line in just under 3:13!  Big PR for me, about 30 min.  Qualified for Boston, a goal, but not the sole one.  I really wanted to put myself in an IM situation where I’ll have to run this after swimming and biking.  That’s more important to my psyche.

Overall a great race, awesome trip and fun to see my family and new nephews.  New England is a beautiful place.  We picked the right weekend to head home with all the colors changing.

Season is wrapped up now.  Time to recover, swim, plan, swim, ride some…and swim.