Why Not?

1. Trust the process: 

I always have a game plan and do my best to stick to it. There are going to be a high number of things that don't go as expected during a marathon (or any other race for that matter). We can only control a few of them. The more marathons I run, the more I value sticking to routine and sticking to my game plan. 

2. Things are going to go wrong: 

I forgot my racing singlet, as well as my gloves. Great planning, I know. No worries, you can always borrow one from a friend or purchase at the expo. 8 miles in, my legs started to fall asleep. This has only happened to me three times, each time in a marathon. I have no idea how or why it happens. My legs feel like boards. I can feel them at my hips, but can't really control how they land, push off, etc. It's an eerie feeling. Thankfully, I've had it before, and I know it only seems to last 2-3 miles at the most.

3. Sleep doesn't matter:

I slept about 3 hours the night before. Went to bed about 9:30, stayed wide awake until midnight, woke up twice to hit the bathroom between midnight and 3:30, and then woke up for good at 4:00AM. By the time the race started at 7, I was ready to go and feeling fresh. So, like I said, sleep the night before doesn't matter much.

4. Training trumps the rest:

I did more miles this summer and fall than I have each of the previous 4 years, and I ran faster. Period. There is no substitute for long runs, workouts, and running every day. I think I figured out at some point that I ran all but 3 days from June 5-Dec 5.

Marathon Rundown:

Mile 1: Never fun for me, just waiting to see the split. I always think it will be too slow, and it's always under 6:00. Go figure. 5:46

Miles 2-3: I remember thinking in the past that you never really know how you're feeling until at least the 3 mile mark. To be honest, I felt sluggish. I had no one around me that was going the same pace and would have no support on the course except for the aid stations. I wasn't expecting much at this point. 17:41 at 3

Mile 5: By 5 miles, I was into the race. Hooked up with some half-marathoners and got some conversation going. Talking always helps me early. I kept telling myself to relax and go easy. Up to this point, I had taken water and Gatorade knock-off Cytomax at every station and pounded down EnergyGel #1. 35:46 at 5

Mile 8: 6,7,8 were pretty much the same. Ran down the strip, saw the casinos and bright signs, and ran right around 6:00 pace. By 8, I felt my lower back and legs start to tighten up -- which for me means soon I will lose some feeling. Previously, this has scared me. So early in the race and if it gets any worse, I'm not sure I can continue. Not this time, I knew it would pass and I could hold pace. Trust the process. 47:54 at 8

Mile 10: The first split I really look forward to. I would have loved to be under 60 to shoot for 2:35, but I'm more interested than anything else, especially with the leg issues. 59:59 for 10

Mile 13: Halfway home. I felt pretty good. Two EnergyGels down plus plenty of Cytomax and water. Planning on taking a 5 Hour Energy at 15-16, the last thing I carried. So, at this point, it's a waiting game. I'm in position to run a solid time, but I never know what to expect in the last half, especially after 20. Here, I'm just hoping to steal some more miles of feeling okay. To this point, I haven't been breathing hard or struggling. 1:18:06 at 13 (1:18:51 at 13.1)

Mile 16: Some pretty substantial hills from 13-16. They didn't hurt me too much. The other bonus was that at 12 we split off from the half-marathoners. I saw 5 runners within .25 miles or so with the hopes I could catch them all. Nothing like a little inspiration. At this point in the race, if you would have asked me, I'd have guessed I was in about 25th place (I was actually 10th). The split really through me off with all the half marathoners in there.

1:30:23 for 16 miles

Mile 17-20: Took the 5 Hour Energy and had a couple downhill miles. Ran 11:44 for miles 17 and 18. At this point, I was waiting for the wall. I felt OK, but certainly not great. I was fighting a little bit, and the miles weren't coming as quickly as they had in the first part of race. Telling myself only 9 to go didn't sound so pleasant either. The bonus, I had caught 3 of the 6 in front of me and I was closing on 2 more. 2:00:23 for 20 miles (6:01 pace)

Miles 21-25: I wish I had more to say about these miles. I don't remember much. I remember that I was suffering and just trying to survive. My pace only dipped slightly (21 in 5:58, 22 in 6:03, 23 in 6:21 (uphill), 24 in 6:04, 25 in 6:05). Matt and Nate (who ran the half) came and found me, so I received some support there. I passed one more runner in mile 24 (I think) and then was told I was in 6th place -- again, I would have guessed more like 20th place. 2:31:05 at 25 (6:03 pace)

Mile 26 and Finish: At some point during my training and preparation, I had hoped I could run the last 10k in under 36:00. Once I reached the last 10k, I found that impossible. The last mile, even with the crowds and knowledge of the finish being so close, was painful. I tried to pick it up to run my PR (2:37) but there was nothing there. I managed a 6:06 last mile and survived to the finish in 2:38:40.

My second best time ever, and fastest in the last 4 years. I'm very happy with it and will take more knowledge from this race. Thanks to all who wished me good luck and congratulations along the way.

Steve