My goal was a 3:15 and I was on that pace until I had to stop at the port-o-potty at mile 4 (lingering effects from my sickness earlier in the week). I lost a minute and was not able to get back on pace. I was not mentally prepared for all the hills- there were lots of them. I ended up forgiving myself for a slightly offpace mile split by saying to myself that there will be easier miles later on (never happened). I made it through the half marathon in 1:40:00. I ended up being quite underdressed too- it was high forties but the wind and moist air made my shorts and short sleeved tee insufficient. I really could have used gloves.
I am pleased though overall. I really had not business thinking I could run a 3:15 given my training over the past 2 months. Losing essentially all of Feb with sickness and then starting to build back in March didn't get me back to where I wanted to be. Throw in a hard course and some midweek sickness and it wasn't in the cards.
The course was really pretty. Lots of parks, great neighborhoods, great support. Aid stations were superb - water every mile and gatorade every other mile. Good fan support. The hills were tough though. I put the degree of difficultly near or at the top all marathons I've run. Definitely harder than Boston, Country Music Marathon, etc.. Probably a bit harder than the Mercedes Marathon in B'ham.
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