Marathon Me

I had quite a surreal experience on Saturday. My brother-in-law, Scott, and I headed to Olympia Washington to run the Easter Marathon. This is a really small race that historically hasn’t had a very fast winning time. The times I looked at ranged from 3:02 to 3:24 or so. Since I can run somewhere in between there I was joking to Scott that maybe I would win this marathon. I have never won a marathon, this is not for lack of trying, but more for lack of speed.

The Easter Marathon had a really late start time of 10:30, since I wanted to get home for Easter I emailed asking about an early start and was granted a 9:30 start. I would need to run sub 3:25 or so to have a chance to make my flight.

About 20 of us started early. I saw one guy with two water bottles who looked serious and I was hoping to run with him. When it started I found myself all alone. By mile seven I was a mile ahead of second place (but there was still the people who started on time who could come and beat me, which is what I figured would happen).

Since we started early the aid stations weren’t set out yet and the first one that was actually staffed was at mile 10. I came through the half in 1:31 but knew I was slowing down. I was still feeling sick so I knew I was going to drop about 10-15 minutes on the second half.

I held on to finish in around 3:13 or so about 15-20 minutes ahead of second place in my starting group. When I had gotten to mile 23 I hadn’t seen anyone who looked to have started on time who was running fast and I figured they’d have to run 10 miles in an hour and I didn’t see anyone doing that. (But I still wasn’t sure of my math).

I tried to take a shower but they were out of order so I threw on my dry clothes, went to ask about a finishers medal and then was given the overall winners trophy.

So I still haven’t seen official results yet, so its still possible someone on that second loop caught me, but I don’t think so.

So I think I have won the Olympia Marathon, but I’m still not sure. Full race report coming soon.

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Tags: Marathons, Race Reports //