My goal was to better my best marathon time of the year, 4:07. This year being a bit disappointing at times this year.

Friday night I had trouble getting to sleep. I did not sleep well on Thursday either. I work until midnight each night, so I get home around 12:30am. But trying to stay awake at work I kept drinking coffee at my breaks. I usually do not drink coffee. So it kept me awake until 3:00am. Donna woke me up at 5:30, so I could be at the starting line by 7:00. I actually arrived 6 minutes late.

It was pretty mild at the start, but it was to get much warmer later into the marathon.

Starting late really messed me up. I could not get a good pace for the first few miles. I had many walkers and slower runners in front of me to get by. Once on pace I stayed at 9:00 pace for many miles. I really lost time starting late. I was still looking okay for breaking 4:07, but breaking 4:00 would be tough.

I was at 1:01 at mile 7. I felt good about breaking 4:00, but I was not sure about getting only 2.5 hours sleep and still doing it. I have had some very good marathons with 3 hours sleep, but never a good showing with less than that.

Mile 10 was 1:28. I am still cranking out 9 minute miles. I feel okay. There are a lot of hills on this course. I have felt pretty good since the start. No pain or sleepiness just really enjoying running so well.

At the half I was hoping to break 2:00 and I was 1:57. I am still doing well. I feel fine.

At mile 15 I am at 1:14 and still doing great. I am thinking of just maintaining and break 4:00 as long as the sandman does not dust me.

Mile 18 I am at 1:41 and still knocking out 9 minute miles. I feel fine. Just a little tired, but nothing to worry about for now.

At about 18.7 there is the turn around to the finish. Here I ran into a wall of wind. It did not slow me down right away, but I knew it was there. I was still feeling well at mile 19, 2:51, but I ran a slower mile finally.

At mile 20 I started to really feeling tired, 3:01. About a half a mile later I could feel the effects of the heat. I am still running into the wind. My mile 21 the grass along the road looked very inviting. I really did not have a lot of pain. I was just so very very tired. Mile 21 was my slowest mile, 3:14. The next few miles I am running around 11:30 to 12 minute miles.

My kick in the latter miles is just not there. I do not need to walk, but my running legs are going very slowly. My energy level is very low. I pass a walker every now and then, but the runners are passing me.

After mile 25 I was able to pick up a little, but not my normal finishing speed. I am able to pass a couple of runners finally. I go as fast as I can at mile 26 to the finish, but it is not close at my normal speed. I do pass a couple of runners about 100 yards from the finish.

My finishing time is my second best of the year, 4:14. I feel that I would of bettered 4:07 and maybe 4:00, if I just had a little more sleep.

I am not sore at all and my feet feel great. They did not swoll up at all either. Just a blood blister at the end of my big toe on my right foot.

It is funny that I can travel so very far to 200+ marathons and not be late, but one that is only 20 minutes away I am 6 minutes late.

Donna was not at this one nor did she travel with me to Des Moines. She had to work this weekend.

Next is tomorrow at the Des Moines Marathon as a 5:00 pacer. Hopefully, a good nights sleep.


TomD