Pocatello Marathon.
After a strong race at Mesa I was really excited for this fast course. I was hoping to run a 3:00-3:02. The first part of the course is downhill so my plan was to let everyone go out too fast and gain ground on the flats.
I started out feeling strong and right on track and about mile 8 things just started to go downhill (pun intended...) my stomach started to act up. I had to slow down a hair to try and calm it down, made a pit stop that cost a few minutes... Then I just couldn't get back on track. My legs felt heavy. About mile 14.5 I saw the 2nd place girl about a 3/4 mile up. I thought I might be able to catch up, but I just couldn't dig in. I felt strong up the hill at mile 20, but at the top another side ache hit and I could barely breathe. I had to slow to about 8:30 pace to get it under control. Took a couple miles, but I was so far back by then it didn't really matter. There were lovely headwinds to greet us at tht op of the hill. With 1 mile left my friend passed me and I just coasted in. I finished in 3:10 and my watch said the course was 26.32. So about the same as Missoula.
I was really disappoionted with the race. I felt really good going into the race so I don't know what happened.. I didn't feel tired at the half way point- my legs felt fine..I was a little bummed about the lost time for the pit stop and stomach ache, but not enough to derail me...
Who knows... just not my dayI guess... I think I race too much to really focus on running a solid marathon late in the season. and I had to give up racing 3 halfs hard that I really like. I think I will stick to fulls in the spring (along with ultras) and halfs in the summer. I think I can shave a few minutes off my half times and get into the low to mid 20s.
Still keeping SLC on my marthon schedule for next spring. Have to have at least one solid race I feel good about....
Also not as sore as I was last time so that is nice- the half this weekend won't hurt as bad...
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