I’d been gunning to go for the sub-3 hour marathon again ever since my race the year prior where I finished 3:00:28. After skipping the spring season with a knee injury, I was back again a year later attempting the distance and primed and ready!
As far as marathon build-ups go, I had a really solid one going into this race. A week-long sickness had foiled my tune-up half marathon three weeks prior, but that was far in the rear view mirror on race weekend. The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is always a quality race with a fast course, so I was ecstatic as always to toe the line!
I knew some of my workouts had indicated a 2:50 might be possible on a good day, but with chilly temperatures and a steady wind, I knew that might be ambitious. I was well-prepared to adjust but started with that plan in mind. In the back of my mind, I knew that a sub-3 hour marathon (6:52/mi pace) was my ultimate backstop that I HAD to beat.
The Starting Line
I stayed inside in the warmth as long as I could then followed with a very abbreviated warm-up. Light jogging, skipping, high knees, leg swings, etc. for just about ten minutes inside the convention center close to the start. I had used abbreviated warm-ups with success in the past and wanted to limit the amount of glycogen I burned up. I knew extra shivering was only going to make it worse!
That being said, I was happy with how comfortable the sub-30 degree temperatures felt at this point. I had my recently purchased throwaway clothes layered on (two shirts, sweatpants) and they were working. I tossed them all except for one long sleeved shirt, did a few strides at marathon pace, and made my way into the crowded corral. Then the familiar routine: deep breaths, ignore the noise, say a prayer, and BOOM – off we go!
Miles 1-3 (6:37/mi avg)
I wanted to try to get to goal pace a little quicker than I have in previous races. The advantage of having more marathon experience is that you are more attuned to what you are capable of on the day. The pace really didn’t feel challenging at this point, and I was losing myself in the excitement of the early race miles. I love to people watch and think about what other peoples’ goals on the day might be. Such a nervous energy in the crowd! As I look around, all I think to myself is “calm and control”.
My GPS watch messed up at mile 3 because it said I ran a 5:20 mile. “Shoot!” I thought. I had to switch to manual lap mode at mile 3 and my “average pace” screen, which I rely on heavily, was no longer useful at all. That was a real annoyance, but I still reassured myself that a faulty watch doesn’t actually cause you to lose any fitness!
Miles 4-13.1 (6:36/mi avg)
I caught up to the 2:55 pacer who was running 2:52 pace (Why do they always do this?!). My first thought after seeing the pacer: “He’s wearing Crocs on his feet!” My second thought: “This is a big group!” My heart rate was super high for this early in the race (it had been since mile 1) so I thought it wise to lay low with this group for a while rather than speed up to my goal 2:50 (6:30/mi) pace. So I did my best Eliud Kipchoge impression and tucked in behind the group!
It was a lively group. Lots of chatter from the pacer which I always appreciate. I’m never one to say much in the group, but it IS enjoyable to listen to the random comments. I simplify my thoughts as much as possible here. All I’m thinking is literally “run the tangents well” and “stay relaxed”. I check my splits here and there but let the group do all the work here and just enjoy the ride!
Miles 13.1-16 (6:39/mi avg)
I went through the halfway point at 1:26:47 (6:37/mi pace). Within reach of a 2:50 but I don’t have much time to wait. I decided it was finally time to take off that extra shirt I had been wearing! Yes, it’s true – I kept my throwaway shirt on through half of the race. I honestly wasn’t feeling any warmer as a result (and unfortunately, this is why I have hardly any official race photos! Ha!). I’m a very cold person by nature and races are no different! But I threw it off partly to signify a mental shift – “time to focus, time to engage,” I thought. No regrets there as I never felt cold after that.
I made an effort to get to 6:30/mi pace so I left the pace group behind. Unfortunately, the faster pace did not feel very good at all. It didn’t help that we had now changed direction and were facing a stiff headwind (10-15 mph). In hindsight, that was a poor move to make on a windy day! I slowed my pace and tucked back in with the group.
Some might’ve despaired at that time of a lost goal, but I tend not to think of anything like that until after the race. I’m literally thinking “What do I need to do NOW in order to get my fastest time?” It was definitely the best decision and saved me from totally falling apart later on. It’s good to be able to adjust your goals and plans mid-race without losing confidence.
With my athlete Angela at the finish! It as FREEZING!
Miles 17-20 (6:37/mi avg)
“Why am I struggling so much so early?!” I wasn’t in full-on struggle mode yet based on my pace, but the change in perceived effort was enormous. It was too early to feel like this and also too early to start counting down the miles, which I started to do! It helped that mile 20 begins with the biggest downhill section of the course but after that, the struggle got worse.
“Stay in the moment! Stay right here!” I thought to myself.
Miles 21-26.2 (6:55/mi avg)
I pass the point where I dropped out of last year’s race due to stomach problems. Thankfully that was the least of my worries right now. My fueling was on point (what a relief!)! I took a gel at the start, then at miles 6, 11, 15.5, and 20 plus some Gatorade after that. I was starting to regret not bringing just one more gel as it started to feel like I was running low on energy.
At each mile, I’m telling myself to “empty the tank”. “There’s more in there,” I keep thinking. And it honestly helped me A LOT. The wind was still a battle off and on.
Here, the mental math also began: “If I run 8:00/mi pace the rest of the way, what will my time be?” “What’s my cushion for a sub-3?” Thankfully throughout this exercise, I realized something. Despite not feeling great, I was still maintaining sub-7 minute pace and passing a fair amount of people. This gave me a nice jolt for a couple miles before indeed, I DID slip into the 7’s! My two slowest miles were 7:09 and 7:10. I was taking Gatorade every change I could get to get some sugar!
I have key words I use for every stretch of the race. But the last two miles are for my kids (x3) and my wife. They give me more inspiration and strength than any word or words. They pulled me through in a very crucial stretch and helped me truly empty the tank that last mile!
The Finish
2:55:56. A new PR by 4 minutes and 32 seconds and the elusive sub-3 hour marathon. I had hoped a great day could see me go 2:50 but was over the moon excited with a 2:55 still! Onward and upward to the next one!
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