Today was a test of my running shape. This summer, I had a lot of time to run but that ends tomorrow as I start a new job. I decided not to do a traditional taper for the 20 Miler yet try to hold marathon pace for the race. I still ran 100 miles this week by front-loading my mile: Monday and Wednesday I went over 20 miles, Tuesday I ran 12 easy with Shawn, Thursday Shawn and I ran our pre-race workout (5x4 minutes with a 1 minute standing rest), Friday was an easy run with Miles to daycare and ran myself home, and 2 miles easy to the playground yesterday. Last week, I ran 24 miles on Thursday (did a double and 10 of those miles were pushing Miles in my Bob's Ironman stroller - what a phenomenal stroller by the way! I just upgraded to the new Bob's Blaze and cannot wait to take Miles out for a run) and Friday,Shawn and I did 21 miles with the middle 10 at marathon pace. Since I could handle that, I thought I would do it again for the race this morning. Some in our group of friends predicted that I would suffer, which was fair. That partly motivated me to prove them wrong.
The weather this morning was almost perfect for race day. The temperature started in the 50s and hit the 60s. It was overcast. The only complaint was it was humid. The race started at Carderock and ran into the city. The race director announced two diversions due to construction on the C&O Canal Trail: a detour over the canal before the 2 mile marker and a detour into the canal. Both would slow us down and were narrow, so he advised to adjust accordingly. Plus there was mud and standing water. I started the race slow and caught up to a pack of runners in a couple of miles, including Shawn. The five of us stayed pretty tight through the next 10-12 miles. There was a lot of chatting, swapping stories, sharing race results, and talk of our upcoming fall marathons. The camaraderie kept my spirits high and any negative thoughts out of my mind. There is something encouraging about running with a pack.
As we approached the turnaround near the Key Bridge, a half marathon was beginning in waves. The path only accommodates maybe three runners abreast so there was a traffic jam where the leaders of our race were leaving Georgetown while we were approaching the turnaround and that half marathon was sandwiched in-between. We did our best to announce as we were passing. Only one runner made a snide comment - she said that she was passing too. I'm surprised that the Park Services granted both races permits to run into each other at the same time.
On the run back, the group started to break apart. I rarely raced with my phone, but I did today as a precaution. One runner offered to hold it and of course he was the one that took off. I tried to stay near him, but he ended up pulling away. I stayed with one of the runners for most of the race. He was 29 years old and raced a 5K in just over 17 minutes yesterday, good for 3rd place. I thought he would eventually pull ahead. With a mile to go, he did start to put space between us, but then I decided to try to match and with half a mile left I began my kick, passing him, and he chose not to match. Three bicycles then overtook me and one said to try to keep up with her until the finish. I did try that which probably helped me cross the finish line with a time of 2:14:16 (6:43 pace). I've never raced that distance, so it is a personal record, but more importantly, I proved that I am in really solid shape and peaking at the right time for New York City.
I am very pleased with my result at the National Capital 20-miler = 15th place out of 180; 15th male out of 84; 4th masters (over 40); 3rd place age group 40-49 good for a $5 Starbucks gift card that goes to my wife as I hate coffee. It was a really strong field. Last year's master's winner ran a 7 minute pace; this year's ran a 6:12. Shawn finished a minute behind me - we both ran very strong and are well-positioned for New York City Marathon. The few muddy patches and puddles may have slowed us, but I doubt by much. First half 1:07:58 (6:48 pace); second half 1:06:19 (6:38 pace); negative split by 1:39. Again, I am very happy with my result and confident in my training. Plus I feel a sense of accomplishment that I ran 100 miles this week and still put up such a strong race.
Next race: The New York City Marathon on November 4! Time to recover and then taper...
P.S. Some of you may know my brother, Matthew, got a bib for Boston to raise money for the Dreamfar High School Marathon. They challenge high school students to reach their full potential—physically, socially, emotionally, and academically—through a mentor-supported marathon-training program. If you can, please support my brother's cause with a small donation.
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