I had an overall good experience despite the poor conditions. My prior PR was a 4:01:37 at TOU over five years ago. So that I got a PR on such a difficult day speaks volumes to my training this year. I couldn't have done it without my running buddies and Coach Bill, and of course the blog helped as well (even though I haven't been on for a little while). I also had to deal with some injuries this year, so overall I am satisfied and happy with how things ended. My goal for the race was 3:50:00. Here were some of my splits: Mile 10: 1:28:52 [goal: 1:29:20] right on pace
Mile 15: 2:13:39 [goal: 2:13:21] still there
Mile 20: 2:58:05 [goal: 2:56:34] a little behind, but not too far off
So at this point, I really wasn't too far off pace, especially considering the weather. By mile 20, though, I started to strip off my clothes and was dying for a new pair of shoes and socks. I was also quite cold. I never did get warmed up. My pace really started to break down the last 4 miles. Mile 22: 9:34 [goal: 8:33] Mile 23: 9:24 [goal: 8:33] Mile 24: 9:19 [goal: 8:44] Mile 25: 9:48 [goal: 8:44] Mile 26: 10:00 [goal: 8:44] So I lost a good 5 minutes of time over the last 4 miles. So I need to really work on my endurance next year. I saw Christina on the course, and I enjoyed one exchange we had around mile 21 or so. I told her: "this is what we have been training for all year." And she belted out this shrieking noise that could have only reflected disdain. It would have made me laugh if I had had any extra energy to give. I was really proud of my fellow runamoks. Everybody did so well and hung in there on a really tough day.
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