2 years ago I broke 3 hours here @ SG for the first time ever. I began that post by saying it was my best day of running ever and I wondered if it would ever get better - today was that day. Conditions could not have been more ideal with cool but not cold temperatures and a MONSTER tailwind from the start that likely carried us at least to Veyo and possibly through Dammeron Valley. Pre-race I made a spreadsheet with 2:49, 47, 45, 43 & 39 splits based on my same exertion level and splits as I ran in 2010 which was a ~1 minute negative split. While my official goal was the 2:49 - I could not stop focusing on the 39 splits. I started the race thinking if I started seeing sub 6 min/mile splits ticking off with my HR under control and not running outside of my legs it might be doable. That is just how the race started. My only split through 7 miles over 6 was mile 2 in 6:05 and then I managed to get up Veyo with a 6:36. I knew I had a shot. I paced through Dammeron at my average HR to that point which was 167 and that afforded still a decent pace of just above or below 6:30. Once we turned to head down to Snow I dialed it back up and managed to clock some solid sub 6 splits through 18 where I pulled it back again. I got through to 20 and saw the clock was 2:02 leaving me 6:00x6 = 36 = 2:38 + ~1:30 for .2: maybe I could do this. I put the hammer down but tried to shorten and quicken my stride as my calves were starting to tighten. I wasn't passing anyone - I was amazed at how solid it seemed all the runners around me were. I guess everyone was doing as I was just trying to keep it together. Turning onto Diagonal the clock @ 24 read 2:25 leaving me ~14 mins for 2.2 - still a possibility. Diagonal is more dreadful in real life than on paper so I just put my head down and prayed for it to get over. I was looking forward to the mortuary signs saying, "mortuary ahead 2 blocks - don't EVEN THINK of slowing down". Good enough for a little mental motivation through 25. @ the 25.2 clock it read 2:33:xx means I can run a 6 flat for 2:39 and try to keep it low. Burned the house down and came under just in time. Credit to the conditions today for sure! What a great race - managed 8th in my division for my 8th SG marathon so I brought home some SG race hardware along with my 2nd overall in the Grand Slam. Can't wait for next year!!
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