The race went very well for me. I predicted a 5-hour finish. My marathoning career, you see, has been marked by diminishing returns. A PR in my first marathon (4:25 at St. Louis, 2001) which was followed by increasingly slower times every year. Some races have been easier than others, but I had reconciled myself to slower finishes.
I figured 5:00 seemed do-able in relative comfort. Last time I did Des Moines in 2002 it took me 4:45 and I really bonked at the end and had to walk a lot.
So I lined up behind the 5:oo pacer and followed him for 3 or 4 miles. I then moved up to the 4:45 pacer, but she was just a few yards up the road. So I picked it up a little to catch the 4:30 group (figuring they would be the Kenyans). Catching that group at mile 8 or 9, I found the pace comfortable and reckoned I could run with them a while and drop back to the 5-hour group as the race wore on. I was worried my right knee would act up, and it did at mile 9. I fiddled with my stride and it never bothered me again.
This was my first experience with pacers. But "Mr. 4:30" was right on the advertised at the halfway point. I found a 10:10 pace wasn't too bad, so I stuck it out. It proved to be the right move. The pacer was very encouraging and I didn't walk at all except through the aid stations. I focused on staying just ahead of the pacer. And I did - my second half was faster than the first. The last six miles were tough, but fun as I struggled to keep that diabolical pacer in sight. I was very happy when I ran the 4 blocks in to the finish and broke the tape in 4:27:34.
I'm already thinking a 4:15 marathon is possible. I'd like to tackle another trail ultra in the Spring or maybe run the Brew-to-Brew again, but I also want to prepare the randonneuring series. Decisions, decisions!
