Well, I survived. Better than I though actually. The 2005 boulder Backroads Marathon took place yesterday. Weather could not have been better. The temperature at the start was about 52 degrees, it was cloudy, foggy, and a little drizzle was in the air. About 650 marathoners stood at the start line waiting for the gun to go off. Bagpiper lead the march to the start line and then played the National Anthem. I was more nervous about this race than I was about the last. Why, well this time I knew what it would feel like. I was also a little worried that my training did not prepare me well enough. After the start I settled quickly into my pace, although trying to maintain a 10 minute pace or less, I did not want to push so hard as to have to walk in the end. By mile 22 - hey I was still running although not as fast as I would like. My pace dropped to about an 11 minute mile. I was happy to still be running though. I did feel little cramps in my upper legs but nothing like the last Marathon. At mile 25, with the finish line in site, the cramps came like a wave from the thigh to the calf of both legs. I stopped, tried to stretch, walked and then started running again. Not bad up to about 50ft from the end then POW, cramp city again. I did eventually get going again and jogged through the finish line. I think my training and my body is getting better. I lasted longer in this race than the first. Although finishing slower by 3 minutes - this race was more difficult in terrain. Lot's of hills. I am curious how Las Vegas will be in December. It is more of a flat course. But I only have 8 weeks to train. That makes for a quick schedule. I will continue to blog my progress. |
