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1:20:21 first half, 1:16:20 second half. 15 minute PR. Very happy with the result.

When I finished the Ogden Marathon, I had a thought that it would be my last target race above 6:00 pace. That seemed a little unrealistic at the time, but it stayed with me. I plotted the performances of Fritz, Scott Keate and Brandon Dase last year and came up with a plan to break 2:40. Then I came up with my A+ plan to break 2:37:12, 6:00 pace. Here is the A+ plan and my performance today.

I don't memorize desired splits but I do try to get a sense for where I should be on any given grade. So I know if I am going too fast or slow by a glance at the pace. I think my performance shows that I gave it the right effort and stayed consistent throughout (mile 26 was the only time I felt I couldn't hold pace).

Details.

Pre-race. Got up at 3:45 and did my usual routine. I am pretty sure my taper and pre-race meal are spot on. My wife dropped me off at the buses at about 4:15. I did not win a raffle ticket for arriving early. With bib 131, I was not an elite and made my way with the huddling masses to a place of shelter. I brought a blanket this time and combined with the mylar, I tried to keep the cold and wind away while not wasting energy shivering or moving about. I did a little warm-up routine that included lunges and leg swings and then entered the elite starting area which was the only place around where you could run a bit. I ran back and forth nervously for a while then lined up. I found Reed, Ryan and Dave who were the guys shooting for the same goal. It was a perfect day to run well and take advantage of the cool weather and the tailwind.

Miles 1-5 in the dark and cold. The pace felt really easy so I knew I was doing the right thing. I tried to glance at my watch only occasionally for pace and split pace. Everything seemed perfect and the splts reflected it. 6:06, 6:10, 5:54, 5:56, 6:02.

Miles 6-7 are faster. I let go a bit and hit these right on. It was still cold but it was getting lighter and I could see Veyo coming up. Took my first GU at mile 7. 5:44, 5:47.

Miles 8-9 around Veyo. This is where I separated from Ryan. He had mentioned around mile 6 that he got a blister but was feeling good. I saw at the end that both feet blistered awfully and bled through his shoes! He was very tough to keep going 20 miles with bad feet and still get a 2:45. I was among Emily Jameson and a number of other unknowns on the hill and not more than 30 seconds behind the lead woman, Amber. She was easy to spot with the motorcade. I am strong on hills and didn't labor with the pace at all. 6:37, 6:20

Miles 10-12. Dammeron. Still feeling strong. Not laboring on the hills. Trying to keep everything under control. I still had that feeling that I could just sprint ahead which boosted my confidence. This is when I decided that the A+ goal was possible. Took a salt tablet at mile 10 as a precautionary measure. 6:12, 6:36, 6:18

Miles 13-14. These are downhill but not a much as those to come, so I just kept it at 6:00 pace. Took a GU at mile 13. 6:00, 5:56

Miles 15-16. Ok - time to go. I hit mile 15 in 5:31 and decided that was too fast and pulled off the throttle a bit for 16 at 5:42. I still had no issues other than a growing nuisance in my right hip right at the socket. This was a new pain but it wasn't bothersome. I saw Dave right around mile 16 and didn't see him again after he grabbed his bottle.

Miles 17-19. Still feeling strong. My splits are spot on here including the intersection at mile 19. But my legs started to feel heavy right toward the top of the hill at 19. I caught up to Reed right around the intersection. He was with the Amber crew and there were maybe 6-8 people around her that I dropped after the hill. Had a salt cap at mile 19. 5:48, 5:53, 6:11

Miles 20-21. My pace is still good though I am in some pain. Mile 21 is a fast mile and I was able to hold pacce. Right around this time, Jordan Perry caught back up to me. He looked stronger than I did. He asked how I was and I told him that the legs were heavy and the right quad and hamstring were tightening up. He offered me salt but I'd just had some. I had a GU at mile 20. 5:53, 5:32

Miles 22-25. In a lot of pain but my pace is still good. I am staying on Jordan's shoulder. I start to fall back after turning onto 300 West and Jordan calls for me to come back to him. Somehow, my legs comply and I run 5:20 pace to get back with him. The crowds are helping a lot and the thought of finishing. Also the sheer elation of realizing that I would break 2:37 if I just didn't let up. In other races, I would let the pain slow me down but I am learning to just go with it and give it my best.

Mile 26 and finish. I fall back from Jordan again and he gaps me a bit. I struggle to hold pace but I try not to let up. I was slowing toward the latter part of mile 26 but saw my family to boost me in to the finish. 6:03 and 1:17 to finish (5:50 pace).

I congratulated a few folks and made my way to my family. I got a massage, picked up my packet and left.

After a bit of reflection, I think the reason for my performance today was peaking at the right time. I was less than thrilled with my training until about the last 5 weeks. After I took a week off in August on vacation, I had some bad weeks and wasn't following my training plan. Then the weather cooled and things started coming together. Running with Fritz and others also gave me more of a sense of where my fitness was compared to theirs and I gained a lot of confidence after a couple good weekend runs and some nice workouts during the week.

I feel like I am finally starting to understand the marathon distance and what it takes to succeed. It is amazing what a little experience does. Next up - Boston. I'm not sure I can train much more than I do now but if I can maintain 70-80 miles, I should have a good race there. I am looking forward to a week off and I hope my goals will reveal themselves over time.

Congratulations to all those who ran well and had big personal bests.