Friday was a travel day as I drove to Vancouver to hang out with friends and not run but rest. Saturday was the last day of the taper before the race on Sunday. I went out for a leisurely 4 mile jaunt.
Sunday morning we awoke to snow on the ground and 34 degrees but fortunately not much wind or moisture which was a blessing. We made our way to the race which didn't start until 10 am. I suppose that was so it could warm up which it really didn't. This is a small enough race that packet pick up is only offered race day morning. It was quick and smooth but given bathroom stops and trying to decide what to wear based on the weather didn't leave us much time to warm up. I had an aggressive goal but knew early on that it was not the best day for a PR nor was my conditioning since I had only put 3 weeks in after 3 weeks off.
The Gun went off and my friend Jessica and I just controlled our pace and tried to stick around 6:55. Ran into Sal Colletto who have not seen in a few years and chatted with him for a while. He is training for his second Ironman. Then I saw Darin Swanson and we chatted about how his Boot Camp had been going and how ready he is for the Marathon next week and if he feels he will meet his sub 3 hour goal.
Usually by mile 3-4 I start to loosen up but it wasn't happening. I was about 30 seconds off my goal at mile 3 but no need to panic. So the miles past by 4, 5 and 6 and my next check at 6 miles and I was 90 seconds off. The muscles weren't getting looser but actually getting tighter. Both Hamstrings and Buttocks were in knots and felt like they could snap anytime. I pushed on through 7, 8 and 9. At mile 9 I had to tie my shoe and that was when I said goodbye to Jessica. My mile 9 split was now 2:15 of my goal and things weren't looking good. The PR was out the window but I was more worried about my tight legs. Mile 10-12 were real tough. No real goal to reach, only one person passed me and there was not anyone that I was going to catch. At mile 12 split I was 3 minutes off my goal and it was just a matter of survival at that time. When I finished I was out of breath so to speak but my legs felt like they wanted to seize up and my mouth was numb like after you have been to the dentist.
So I finished in 1:32:15 which was respectful but not what I was looking for. Jessica finished in a 1:30:45 and 3rd place for females. Darin hit is Marathon Pace with a 1:29:15 and he looks really good for his sub 3 hour marathon next week.
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