Long Run 4:32:00 [3] 27.2 mi (10:00 / mi)
Blue Sky marathon - 19th place out of 210 finishers!!! Really pumped, probably one of my best races ever. Started out very conservatively. My goal was 4:30 and so I knew I just had to maintain about 10:30 pace. I was hitting that target relatively consistently factoring in the uphill and downhill sections. It then got hot. I had prepared by hydrating well and staying hydrated. I also wore a cotton shirt and bandana and sprayed water on myself the whole time. By mile 13, I could tell this was a special day and I just kept passing people. From mile 13 on, I was only passed once and I passed that guy back. I really suffered the last 2 miles since the course was longer than 26.2 but I was able to run the last 5 miles. A gal tried to pass me in the last 100 yards but I held her off. All in all, I wouldn't change a thing. I think the times were a lot slower than last year and I would have been 420 or less if it hadn't been so hot. But, I think I handled the carnage better than many of the people who don't do the longer stuff and aren't used to suffering. A great day.