The Background
I took three weeks off running after Dinosaur Valley 100k, and started running after the UHD commencement. I was so excited to get running again I ran through a bad cold. I also did some Stairmaster at the neighborhood gym at Bandera.
I did a 11-mile and then a 10-mile run at 10ish-minute pace. But without a 20-mile training run, I was not marathon shape to start the season. As always, Terri and I watched Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve and fireworks from our backyard before getting up early to head to Kingwood.
The Race
It was a bit cold at the start, but it warmed up quickly to be a beautiful day. I headed out at a 10:30 to 10:40 pace and held that for ten miles. I chatted with a fellow named Alfred who had finished many marathons and was getting into ultras.
Holding sub-11-minute miles through half marathon, I still felt good. At 14 miles, I put on some music: "Old Time Rock and Roll," "Across 110th Street," "Yellow Ledbetter" and sang along.
At some point after 17 miles, I had to walk a short bit. But I rebounded and only took short walk breaks, telling myself to keep running to get in a 20-mile training run. As I approached the end of the 3rd loop, Alfred saw me and asked how I was doing. I said, "Crashing and burning!"
Making it a goal to walk no more than half a mile then run another half mile, which averaged out to 14-minute miles. I did that for the rest of the race, finishing in 5:17.
Reflections
I had hoped for a sub-5-hour marathon and running it continuously. To get that, I would have had to train harder. I probably could have done it, but I also just took a short break after Dinosaur Valley 100k, so maybe it was all for the best long term.
I am proud I did not just walk 9 miles after crashing. I fought as hard as I could.
Thanks to God, James, Paloma, all my family, friends, the race organization, and the volunteers for the support. Special thanks to Terri for once again getting up early on New Years Day to be there!
