This was my third year running the Richmond marathon and it was the best one yet. Once again I was a pacer but moved up to the 4:45 group from 5:30. I have to say it felt a lot better pacing closer to my normal pace and look forward to doing it again.
After my health scare I decided that I was done running fulls after this year but finishing at 4:46 just gives me the desire to run one for me. So it comes as no surprise that I'm getting back in the game. I'm thinking something in the Spring would be a good choice.
Anyway back to the marathon. As I was saying I was the 4:45 pacer and started with 3 people running with me until mile 9 or so. Two of the pacers started in the wrong corral so we didn't catch them until about mile 4 but we ran together for awhile until they stopped at a water stop to long. I stopped long enough for the runners I was with to get a drink and we pressed on. Soon I was down to one person running with me, a woman named Carrie that had never broke 5 hours at a full and really wanted to. Since she was the last runner with me I was determined to get her across the line and make her goal. We had some time banked but she started to get leg cramps around mile 23 so we started to walk/run the rest of the way.
Her husband and children were at mile 26 waiting for us and I have never seen a look of determination like I did on Carrie. We rounded the corner and ran all the way to the finish. After thank you and hugs and a finisher photo together, I realized I'm not done with the marathon. I've still got miles in me and goals I need to make. And that is my Richmond Marathon recap.
P.S. It really is a lovely race, the neighborhoods and town really get behind it and there are people cheering almost every step of the way. If your looking for a fall event, give it a try.
No comments:
Post a Comment