Conditions were perfect
for the Columbus Marathon on Sunday. It was clear. Temperatures started at
about 40 and finished at about 60. The course was improved from last year and
was still basically flat.
Also a few days before, I realized that if I did a 3:45, I would qualify for
Boston in 2010. That's because I'll turn 55 three days before that race and,
even though it's 1 1/2 years away, this Columbus race could be used to qualify.
I've done a sub-3:45 several times so I was psyched.
Well I don't want to go into much detail. I tried running with the 3:30 pace
team since I usually run at an 8 minute pace. And I was fine for the first half
(1:45 at the half). Then various pains kicked in and I slowed down a lot.
Finish time was 3:55:59. After the race, I was in terrible pain in my legs
(lactic acid) and then the shivering started. So I guess I gave it my all. It
just was not there for me that day.
