Man, these blogs are hard to keep up on. Where does the time go? Can't believe it's already been 2 1/2 weeks since Twin Cities. Guess it has given me adequate time to reflect on the race.In looking back, I'm really pleased with my training and quite happy with my race. My body hung on just long enough to accomplish the goal I set last year following the CIM (sub 2:33). It's funny looking back to that post, as Martin suggested I would need a coach to accomplish my goal. As much as I hate to admit it, I think he was right.
For those who haven't run Twin Cities, do it. Aside from New York and Boston, it's the next best road marathon I have run. I'd be surprised if there are too many other US road marathons out there that are as cool. I suppose Chicago ranks up there. Before the trip, I actually wasn't too stoked to go run it. In my mind there was nothing appealing about Minneapolis/St. Paul. After spending some time there, I realized it's a pretty cool place. Thanks to Ryan's Iphone (aka the Ry-phone) we were able to find our way around town and eat at some pretty good restaurants. Matter of fact, just about the best breakfast I have ever eaten was randomly found on the Ry-phone. Have to get me one of those. When is AT&T coming to Bend anyway?
Race day itself was just about perfect. Upper 40's-low 50's, slight overcast and fairly mild winds (except miles 16-19). Our hotel was a nice 0.5 mile jog to the start line, which served as a nice warm up. I then for the first time in my life, entered the elite corral. It was a little strange warming up with the elites, knowing I really shouldn't be there, but nothing I couldn't get used to. After a few strides, it was time to line up. I wasn't really that nervous, but more curious how my race would play out.
When the start gun went off, I tried to control my pace as there were so many fast runners around me. As with all races, it seems like you take off in a dead sprint, dodging people and potholes. After 1/4 mile I was able to lock into a steady pace, concentrate on my breathing, and get in a rhythm. That's just about the time a small gap opened up in front of me, and I realized I was right on Andy Martin's heels. Darn, so much for controlling my first mile. Either Andy was going too slow or I was going too fast. I decided to back off a bit and actually hit my first split right at 5:40, which I was fine with. It took another couple miles to really get into a groove, and I began clicking miles off around 5:40-5:50 fairly comfortably. By this time Andy was no longer in sight, which was also reassuring.It was probably around mile 4 when another runner came upon me. I thought it would be a good idea to go with him for the next mile and catch the pack of runners 20 meters ahead of me. We hit the next split at 5:20 pace, which concerned me a bit. I figured I would pay for that mile down the road. I once again backed off, but not by much, and hit the next mile at 6:00 pace, which confused me. I then realized they mismarked those two miles, so I was still on pace. Around mile 6-7, I started feeling lousy. I began thinking of noble ways to drop out of the race. I had plenty of pre-race injuries I could fall back on if necessary. That's when I saw Katie, and by the look on her face, I knew I not only felt bad, but looked bad.
Nonetheless, I hung on to the pack of runners I was with. They were all chatting away, effortlessly running along, while I somewhat desperately clung to the back of the back. I figured it was a matter of time before I was dropped. I was right. By mile 9, the pack split up. I was still running with one or two guys and still on 5:40 pace. I hit my half marathon right around 1:14:20, which was a little fast, but not too far off of what I was hoping. I powered through a couple more miles, now starting to catch some of runners who took off a little too fast. I felt strong, continued on pace, but was working much harder than I usually do. The course then turned north along the Mississippi River and out of nowhere, a headwind kicked in. It probably wasn't more than 5 mph, but was just enough to put the hurt on me. I lost a little time miles 16-19, probably averaging around a 5:50 pace. I knew the course turned 180 degrees at mile 19, so I was just waiting for the tailwind to kick in. As I hit mile 19, the wind seemed a lot less forceful at my back, but at least it wasn't in my face anymore.
Miles 20-23 are the crux of this marathon. There is a series of hills, which on any ordinary run wouldn't seem like much, but at this point in the marathon, seemed like Pilot Butte. This is where I lost most of my time, averaging around a 6:00 pace. I encountered tons of carnage along this stretch. I recognized several of the slowing runners from the pack I ran with near the beginning of the race. Couldn't help but smile to myself as I passed every single one of them. Every so often I would get a little surge of energy which would only last a minute or so, but helped to keep me going. I was still worried with 3 miles to go I would end up bonking somewhere before the finish. I had a couple spells of lightheadedness here and there, but a Power Gel seemed to put them at rest. Over the last 2 miles I could hear the cheers from the fans behind me as the first place woman was kicking it in to the finish. I knew she wasn't far back and figured it was a matter of time before she came ripping past me. Admittedly this did help to motivate me, and I finished my last three miles close to a 5:40 pace, crossing the line at 2:31:12, edging out the first place woman by 35 seconds or so. Then I realized she just won over $25,000 and I didn't win jack. At least I kept my pride.
All in all, a great race. Had fun with the group who made the trip back. Look forward to running this race again next year.
