The background info I'll quickly note is when I signed up for the race my goal was 2:33 - 2:35 (5:50 - 5:55 pace). After running most my "marathon pace" workouts in the low 5:40s, I was more optimistic, but still wanted a conservative race plan - to run the first half marathon in 1:16:00 - 1:17:00 (5:48 - 5:52 pace).
The race morning was much like my last marathon 6 years ago - clear skies, calm winds, but pretty chilly (in the high 30s). Just after daylight broke, I found myself on the starting line with a pair of gloves and arm-warmers. Even though this wasn't a Chicago Marathon type field, I knew there enough elite runners - particularly those gunning for their last chance to make the Olympic Trials next month - that I didn't need to be anywhere close to the front row. I figured spotting some of my eventual competitors 10 seconds early on was easily worth the trade off of not getting sucked into way too fast of an early pace.
As the starting horn went off, and I cross the start line 3 seconds later, it just didn't feel like a race. It felt like a long run with a ton of other people, just a bit faster than my normal everyday running pace. I chatted with other runners I knew as we all settled into our paces. Shortly after the start I saw a large pack of women who I figured were gunning for their Olympic trials standard of 2:46 (and sure enough quite of few of them nailed it). As the first few miles are mostly downhill I eased into a smooth comfortable pace, and slowly moved forward in the large pack. The first mile was 5:48. I was almost relieved - I was going fast enough but not too fast! The second split was 5:52. I quickly questioned - was that too slow? was that too much effort? But just as quick, I shut the mental rambling off - I had well over 2 overs left to run, and I was still getting warmed up, and there would surely be a lot of ups and downs.
In the 3rd mile I definitely started to feel good. I figured out pretty early in the race that I was going to run my own race, rather than try to key off other runners. Mile 3 was 5:38 - faster than I should be running this early, but didn't concern me as we're still going downhill. Now I'm reeling in a large pack that includes the 3 female leaders, plus a couple West Valley teammates who are shooting to run sub 2:30. The 4th mile was 5:33. WHOA BUDDY - CHILL OUT! At this point I pretty much slam on the breaks. The last mile felt totally relaxed, but I knew there was probably no better way to torpedo a good marathon opportunity than to run way too fast in the first quarter of the race.
From the 5th mile through the half way point, I established a really smooth consistent rhythm. Through that stretch - every mile split was 5:42-5:44 (other than one 5:40). I was doing exactly what I told myself not to do - running faster than the 1:16 pace I set as a speed limit, but it just felt too easy not to put myself in a position to possibly break 2:30. The short uphills would strain my breathing ever so slightly, but it would quickly return to normal on the flat & downhill sections. At some point - probably around 6 miles - I felt the first hint of lactic acid in my legs, but nothing to fear, it had to happen at some point. I just focused on keeping a smooth relaxed stride.
The pack of runners who I almost caught in the 4th mile, remained 50 or meters ahead. Right around the 9th mile I finally caught up to them, announcing my presence to teammates Jonah B. and Jason "The Rookie". The Rookie let out an excited "Hey Gifford!" while Jonah said much more calmly "Jamey's going for it." I really thought I would relax and just run with this pack for a while. However, the pace I had settled into slowly eased me ahead of the group. Just ahead, I caught the three lead woman - one American and two Africans. There were a handful of bicycles riding along side along with a motorcycle cop. It was unclear if they were on course support for the leaders or just interested spectators. One of the bikes was almost blocking my path to a water station; I knew getting worked up would only take away energy I needed to run, so I just eased off for a couple strides and cut over. Just before 11 miles I pulled ahead of the women, but didn't realize I was serving as their temporary rabbit until I heard some words in Swahili (I assumed) right behind me. That was a new experience for me!
I hit the half marathon split - now just clear of the lead women - in 1:14:53. So much for my planned pacing. While I wouldn't call the effort really hard at this point, it definitely wasn't easy. Mentally the first half of the race went by very quickly. I knew the second half would be a lot harder. Different parts of my legs and feet would ache, then go away. I could deal with discomfort, I just didn't want to see anything turn into a muscle cramp. The 15th and 16th miles were tough. The mile 15 split was 5:52 - my first mile slower than 5:45 since the 2nd mile. I'd lie if there wasn't a little concern that my early pace might be catching up with me. Shortly after that, I hear footsteps behind - and it's The Rookie and Gus Gibbs (who had taken a pee stop) blowing past me as their running ~5:30 splits. They invite me to jump on the train, but I'm not feeling it; I just need to keep my own race on track.
After a rough couple miles, I hit the mile 16 with a 5:43 split. I was back on pace. I felt a big confidence boost. Only 10 miles to go. This might be the toughest 10 miles I'll run all year, but how many times have I run 10 miles the past 4 months (that was rhetorical)?
From mile 16 - 20 it was back to focusing on a smooth stride. My legs were hurting pretty consistently now, but I could deal with it. I would see runners well ahead and slowly reel them in. Mile 19 was my second fastest of the race in 5:37. I started having visions of throwing the hammer down in the last 6 miles to put myself well under 2:30.
The 20 mile mark was announced with a couple fake walls that you run between & a couple women dressed in grim reaper costumes. I grabbed my last Gu gel, which just about made me barf. After taking as much sports drink as I could, I figured I wouldn't need much more water. Mile 21 was 5:43, but the legs were feeling really beat up. The last hill of the course was the ramp to a bridge over the American River just before the 22 mark. It's not a steep hill, but it HURTS at this point. I tried to hold my pace up the ramp, but it hurt, and my legs never came back to me after that.
The last four miles were rough. I knew I was slowing down a little, but it was time to just grit it out. Somehow I was still mostly passing people. Miles 23 and 24 were both 5:53. I'm slowing down, but the wheels aren't falling off. With two miles to go a couple runners catch me, and I just try to latch on. I'm even thinking I can find a gear and manage to run a couple fairly fast last miles. But where the brain was willing the legs weren't. Mile 25 was still a respectable 5:48, but then I just hit a level of pain I hadn't felt all race. The 26th mile is a long straight shot down L street by the state capitol in Sacramento. I keep looking ahead toward the first of two left turns before finishing right in front of the capitol. As I look ahead it just doesn't seem to get closer. Spectators cheer my effort, but as I grit I had to yell "let's go Gifford". Somehow I thought I was thinking my finishing time might be 2:32, but that was clearly a lack of mental capacity late in the race.
I hit the 26 split - 5:55 - my slowest of the race, but was elated I made the first left turn too see a race clock just over 2:30. There was a huge crowd, and I made the final turn to the finish line with a huge smile on my face.
The final time was 2:30:29!
I'll say more in part 2, but have to say a quick thanks to my wife Dana - of course for supporting my training, but for getting out on the course to cheer and support me. Also to our coach Jack, for preparing us, and for great race day support as well.
Being the excel dork I am, here are a couple charts - the first with each mile split, and the second my projected finishing pace at each mile mark:
Finally - it was great to see little Jack at the finish line :)
