You have to get up absurdly early to run this race. I rode the bus up with Jason Holt at 4am. We met Nate Krah at the bathroom line and then found Spencer and Ben. 0.5 warm up.
The first few miles we ran as a big pack: Me, Ben, Jason, Nate, Scott Hambley and Ezekiel. We strung out into 2 packs by 5 as we let Nate and Ezekiel go on ahead. Miles were all around 5:30. Scott dropped off after 7 when the hills started. Ben, Jason and I worked together for the next 10 miles. I was very grateful to have both of them there. We came through the half in 1:14. I was feeling too spent for this point in the race and I knew the rest was going to be a battle.
The next 7 miles were into a brutal head wind. That and the hills around 16 sapped what little I had left. Ben took a potty stop at 17 and Jason put a 20 second gap on me. Miles 13-20 were all around 5:45 pace. Ben passed me at 21. I was in "hold on for dear life mode". He finished strong. Nate Clayson passed me at 23, there was nothing I could do :|.
I cruised in the rest of the race (20-26) in at around 6 minute pace. I felt pretty decent for the end of the marathon, so long as I didn't try to run under 6. My left hamstring nearly cramped with .1 to go! I slowed down to 8 min pace and crawled in.
I really didn't have it today. I fell way short of my goals. Not sure why. I'm glad I did it though. I'm going to take some time off and then start the St. George build up.
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