Seeking a better country...

8:30 pm  Usual "10k".  I didn't stop running for a change.  It has been a long time since I ran continuously for 6 miles.  

With the race on Saturday, it was hard to hold back and not run too fast.  I think I managed, though.  I think realistically, I'm looking at a 3:05-3:10 type of performance.  I don't know how much weight to put on the last couple weeks of being relatively sick, and training much less than I would have preferred.  My "cold hard facts" assessment is that it's going to cost me.  I'd like to think everything is in the bank, but...I can't quite convince myself.  

So I'm not sure what to do at the start of the race.  Nothing to lose, so maybe just go for broke and run down the hill again with Angie, or take it a bit slower from the start and save something left for a decent finish?  Conundrum....

Okay.  After adding things up,  I'm actually 22 miles ahead of last year's mileage from July 1st till the marathon.  I guess I'll chase Angie.  It was nice to pretend last year that all those first female cheers were actually for me.  I'll bask in her reflected glory for as long as I can stick...

8 am.  Just making sure my legs still work.  I thought I'd be done with this cold by now, but it turns out I should have had my doc friend give me a scrip for some antibiotics.  It has settled in my sinuses, which has the unpleasant side effect of making it feel like my teeth are going to fall out everytime my left foot hits the ground.  I'll have to chew up a big wad of gum to keep in my mouth to cushion the blows.    

One might consider endless snot is another unpleasant side effect, but after 30ish years of lawnmowing and landscaping, I am quite adept at the snot-rocket, and don't mind wiping my nose on my sleeve.

7 am  Just a couple on the TM.  That's going to be a tough habit to resume.  I guess it'll be easier as it gets cold and dark.

Okay.  The nervousness has arrived.  Big dinner last night, normal food today, plus pre-hydrating.  I'll probably make a dozen trips to the bathroom today.  My only remaining physical activity is the dad/daughter tennis practice today with Nena.  I don't do well on the tennis court, so it will mostly consist of standing around and picking up balls once in a while.  We won't win, but we will have matching shirts left over from some race or another.  

23:50 minutes till the race starts...

This report should be titled HOW TO NOT RUN A MARATHON.

The first splits I'll share are:

1st half:  1:26 

2nd half: 1:52.  

I think that adequately sums things up.

But wait, there's more.  I ran a solid for 14 miles, side by side with Angie.  By mile 4 I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep it up over the long haul, but I decided to stick with her as long as possible.  It was a solid plan last year, but an epic fail this year.  She went on to run 2:55.  

The first 14 miles were all 6:20-6:45 pace miles.  After 14, I told Angie to put in her earbuds and take off.  She encouraged me to stick, but I just couldn't do it.  The splits after she left into the distance tell an ugly tale of pain, mental weakness, quitting and lack of will.  Once the goal was out of reach, it just didn't matter enough to me.  I learned today you can't prep a marathon lackadaisical.  You can't race a marathon casually.  You have to want it  deeply, because letting up is so easy.

Splits from 15-26

7:22

7:40

7:43

8:48

9:35

9:55

10:05

8:45

8:45

7:46

9:38 for the last 1.2 miles.

So there it is.  Don't ever run a marathon this way.  

Even on Saturday, I didn't mind this result.  I knew a sub-3 was highly unlikely, but I was happy to drink the koolaid and think there was a chance.  3:18 is just as unsatisfying as a 3:07, it's just different placement.