11/4/17 In Unity We Run Marathon

Second time here and I really like this event.  Just off I-5 in Kent with plenty of parking, it is so easy to get to.  And $20 donation, a fund raiser, with one of the kindest and best RDs out there.  Nice enough, safe mostly paved trail along the Green River.  Have not run here enought yet to be tired of it.  Low key event with minimal support and a small group, but again this year I seem to know at least half of the marathoners.  Double out and back again, but both times in the upstream first direction.

Last year I ran a decent first half, then convinced Deb to do the full and I ran the rest of the way with her, finishing at a leisurely 5:15.  This year I would at least like to beat 5 hours, but really have no goals.  Probably hook up with someone and just enjoy the morning.  I have plenty of miles in, but have not gone farther than eight miles at a time since BHam at the end of September.

Cold, but dry.  So lucky it is not the rain and wet snow of yesterday.  Hat and glove weather though.  Carrying my big water bottle.




Start - See Deb but can't convince her to run more than the half.  I start near the back.  Ease into the running and get into a comfortable pace.  Mike, then Sabrina and Christie.  Next catch up to Dan Sherman and we stay together for a mile and a half.  Realize that I am running a 9:30 pace and that it feels great, but is probably way too fast.  I let Dan go, but then pass him when he takes a quick stop.




Mile 2 - Run with Stephanie and her dog.  Really nice two miles, I wish it were happening later in the race when I will need the company, but still a nice way to spend 20 minutes.  Then she walks and I continue on.



Mile 4-16 - Steady 9:30 pace.  2:05 at the half and I expect to crash soon.  Math tells me that unless I have an epic bonk I should break 4 hours.  Decide to keep doing my thing and not get into socializing too much.  Strategy of walking just a short bit to sip water and have a Cliff Blok every two miles.  Fill my water bottle at the half and at the turn around.

Mile 16 - Start to tire, but not bad at all.  Nothing hurts.  When I feel a little sluggish I practice picking up the pace for a few steps then easing back to my still somewhat comfortable stride.  Eye on my overall pace and seeing it climb but slowly.  9:36 per mile and I would be happy with a 10:00 per mile finish, so I can slow a little each mile and make my goal.  Just a matter of not taking long walk breaks.  Linda Walter sighting!

Mile 21.5 - Mike, Monte, Rick and Susan coming towards me and just like that I feel really tired.  Say something about hitting the wall now.  At least there is not much more to go.  Very happy with making it this far at this pace.  Mentally break down the landmarks to come and look forward to checking them off.

Mile 24 - Able to run long sections.  Yes the running has slowed, but no walking.  I will take that 10:04 for mile 22 any time.  Got to keep running for a great finish time.  Sharp turn off the trail and onto a rural small road, and there is a semi truck stopped and practically jack knifed across both lanes.  Tires right next to a giant puddle.  The other side of the puddle has about 6 inches of dry "path" next to a wall of blackberries.  In retrospect I guess I could have run through the puddle, but I take the time to edge around it and soon I am running again.  Red shirt woman in the long straight away distance is getting closer.

Mile 25 - Worked hard to catch up to the woman who is just not taking walk breaks.  She is slowing though.  Says that she is going for a PR of 4:24.  I know that we will make that easy but I encourage her to keep running.  After 23 miles of running alone, it is great to be with someone going at a decent pace for me.  Half mile push together.  Then I feel like I could be going faster and I have no commitment to her (plus she is going to crush her PR) so I go out faster and tell her to follow.

Mile 26.2 - Finish!  26.15 on the GPS.  Same great enthusiastic volunteers were there 2 hours and ten minutes ago when I reached the half.  5 minute positive split is amazing.  I am so surprised at how well it went.

Fastest marathon of the year by nine minutes!

I will credit my fast time today with a few things.  Better core strength due to doing yoga session twice a week now for two months, my new running routes are seriously hilly changing up the muscles, injury free for some time now, and a disciplined mental state today to handle any stress and not take walk breaks just because I was tired.

Planning to run the Veteran's Day Marathon in Bothel on Friday, so short turn around for this one.  And I will lower my expectations next week, enjoying how well this one went today.


4:15:42
Race#429, Marathon or ultra#160, IUWR#2
12th place of 30 finishers
*****