Dallas Marathon 2014/12/14

With 2014 autumn activities: Montreal 24h, A2A, and Taiwan trip, the body was unlikely to respond well to marathon training.  My only incentive for a strong marathon result was qualifying for 2016 Boston.  I tried to un-register 2014 Dallas Marathon upon confirming 2015 Boston spot.

_goal
Finish safely in shape to start Boston training.  Any result faster than Oprah would do.

_nutrition
Anticipating fat-burn pace, I skipped the usual 4-day carbo load.
Company Xmas party was the eve of the race.  I sipped water at the open-bar cocktail.  Buffet line opened at 9:15pm w/ delicious protein.  Four Season grand ballroom shell fish worked poorly as marathon fuel.

I got through the 4-hour marathon with 5 gels, coconut water, and lots of Gatorade on course.

_race
I set GPS to 9:00 pace.  I would cross the line around 4 hours 3 lb over race weight.

I started from the back for new experience.  I crossed the line 15 minutes after the gun.  I zigzagged around walkers.  I passed pacing groups.

9:00 was a difficult pace to maintain.  I bled speed at every climb as the heavy runners started walking.  I settled into rhythm after 5k.  Mile 3 to 12 was a big blur.

I snuck up on an event photographer.

I made a point to stay behind 4:15 group before half way point.  This was my 1 chance to negative split the course.  9:00 pace required effort at the first climb after half way.  Marathoners around me slowed after mile 15.  Relay runners were the only ones going faster than 9:00 pace,

I invited walkers to join me.  They'd stay a mile or so.  Most ran the first half at unsustainable speed.  I knew how that felt.  I offered to pace.  They would go back to walking after couple miles.

Light rain came and go.  I was wet but maintained core temperature.

The hardest part about running slower was the run took much longer.  By mile 20, I felt I "deserved" to be further ahead.

_the wall
To my dismay, the wall came around mile 23--I overestimated my fitness.  I walk the final climb then decide not to push.  I turned off electronic pacer.  "Just maintain perceived effort."  Marathoners passed me left and right.  Many encouraged me as they dealt with their own struggle.  I suppressed the urge to dig.

Rain came down during the final mile.  I accelerated but got soaked. 

_incentive
I got 4 medals for finishing 2 races:
2014 Dallas-Rock n Roll "Duo Medal."
2014 Marathon finishing medal.
2014 Rock n Roll half
2013 Marathon finishing medal; the event was canceled due to weather.
High quality medals compared to the lightweight Montreal 24h gold medal staying above my fireplace.

I sold the 4 running medals on ebay < 1 hour.

I imagined at least one person cherished them.


_recover
Taking wet compression socks off at the car was a struggle, but I was 80% recovered after shower.  I was almost disappointed having no issue walking at sushi buffet dinner.