Marathon #10

 I guess I kinda spaced out about posting the results of my 10th marathon this past Sunday. The main thing: yes, I survived. It was a bit touch and go for awhile, but I made it. 

This was my third time running the Fort Wayne Marathon & Half Marathon (its fourth year). I ended up getting 84th out of 105, with a time of 4:50:06 (2nd in my age group). I averaged an 11:04 pace. I didn’t realize I was 7 minutes faster than last year’s 4:57.

I did the first half at just over a 10 min./mile pace (2:14). I walked ~.05 every 3 miles and took a drink/gel. The second half I kept the every 3 mile routine, but I started walking .1 mile and that stretched to .2 of every third mile around 22 or 23. I also stopped twice to pee and at the halfway point I had to take my shoe off to remove a rock. 

Looking back now, I suppose I didn’t feel too bad at the start. And, I didn’t have any injuries or anything at the end. Yet, boy, I think it was around mile 9 or 10 when I first started wondering if I was going to be able to finish. By mile 21 I was trying to find a landmark - thinking I was going to have to call Jane to come pick me up. My legs were just so sore. But… I just kept plugging along. There was a group of three people in my area and we all just chugged along. Once I made it to my 24 I figured I could at least break 5 hours. 

Still… for most of this race I was telling myself this was going to be it. I didn’t think my body had the strength to do this anymore. As I got closer to the end I was already starting to think “maybe this would be the last one under 5 hours.” Now, the third day after, I’m feeling back to normal and starting to think about changing my strength training over the next year to better prepare (I need to do more leg work). 

Other points of note:

• Once again, Drew Carrie were along the route about mile 3 and I discarded my jacket with them. 
• A friend of ours was also running. This was his first race since 2019, but he runs 10 miles every day. He did no other training, but was hoping to break 3 hours and qualify for Boston. He did both (2:51)! I was so happy for him (he got second place).
• Another friend (who we volunteer with at the music hall) had a son and daughter-in-law running. I was surprised to see him at the finish line. His son ran it in around 3:30, and the dil finished her first marathon in 5:11. 

So, that’s about all I can remember at the moment. I am going to include a bunch of screenshots of stats for my own future recall. 

Until then, I am enjoying a week off. I’ll likely start back next week, but no more marathon’s… until next year (maybe a few half’s).