So we went up to Hopkinton on the Greater New Bedford Track Club bus with all of our friends, and that's always a fun time. It's great to be around good people who love running as much as you do.We got to Athlete's Village, and Miss Bethany and I took our Engagement Anniversary pics around our stone and little bench there, which was nice. It was kind of sad that she was in the first wave, and I was in the second. After she left the village, I just kind of wandered around from Port-a-Potty to Port-a-Potty, not much else to do.
So I got to the starting line, I was really excited. I was a little nervous, seeing as this was my first marathon without my trusty pacer Miss Bethany by my side. My A goal was 3:55, B goal was 4:00, and C goal was 4:05:40 (last year's time). The race started out, I felt pretty good for the first half. I think I did about a 1:56 first half, and I felt good. However, around mile 17 or so, when the sun came out, I started to overheat. I know it wasn't THAT hot that day, but for this Northerner not yet acclimated to the warmth of spring, it felt really hot. I definitely got a little dehydrated, and started to fade. I knew I wasn't going to hit my goal, so I kind of just took a different approach for the last 10 miles. I reasoned that I could either 1.) grit my teeth, be miserable, and possibly squeak out a 4 hr marathon, or 2.) ease off, enjoy the last 10 miles, and forget about my time.
Knowing we had the 50km and the Alaska Marathon coming up, rather than kill myself to shave off those extra minutes, I chose option 2. I eased off, and finished in a 4:07:52, and I am totally fine with that. While it's a personal worst, and about 12 minutes slower than what I wanted, I'm totally fine with it. I had virtually no soreness at all, which was awesome. I'm happy with my first solo-marathon, and it was fun to enjoy it and take it all in, and not be suffering down Boylston at the end.
Also, I got some great pictures . . . .
9 comments:
Congrats Ryan! Sounds like you definitely made the best call.
You eased up and I "gutted it out" and you still beat me. (4:08) Congrats for being smart and enjoying the race.
I sense that you missed your Miss B a lot, and I even expected her to be right there in the pictures with you! You were tough and smart and you decided to enjoy the race, you won't ever regret that!
Ryan, anyone who can even WALK a marathon gets all the praise and kudos from me. I am amazed at how far you have come in your running (I have been running way longer than you and still don't have your dedication and love for it) and you had an awesome time! Great job :)
That's an incredible call you made in the course of a marathon and a smart one! Like it! Looking forward to going for a touristy run with you next April!
Congrats on Boston, and for making a difficult and wise change in approach mid-race based on the reality of the day. Too often we forget that it is a plan, rather than an absolute, and is subject to revision based on the situation. Well done!
badass brotha....real. bad. ass.
But the real question is....would you rock a 'Vegans Do It Sustainably' tshirt afterwards?!?!?!
Congrats!!! Glad you decided to just enjoy the final miles and save yourself for Alaska. Oh and if it makes you feel better about the late recap, Spike STILL hasn't posted his recap. Great meeting you! See you guys again next year!
I was just looking through your old posts. Those are great pics! It sounds like it was a smart decision to ease off and enjoy the race. It probably made the memory much sweeter!
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