Med City- The ever changing race goals

On Friday my decision was to run the full marathon, but as the day progressed a few things happened that made me rethink my decision. 1) Madison Marathon was cancelled due to heat concerns and 2) Med City Marathon was offering free races changes from full to half also due to heat concerns. Even with these two factors and the potential for Med City also cutting the race I wasn't changing. Then around 10pm I had this idea to run a marathon on June 3rd and switch to the half at Med City. Why not? What are the chances that the weather will be this unseasonably hot three weeks in a row! Saturday at the expo, still debating, we made the change along with many other runners. Why not, we had only paid $30 to enter the race.

Ready to go, not too hot yet...

The race can pretty much be summed up in these words: hilly, hot, humid, headwinds! I honestly don't know what was worse Boston with sun and 90F or today 74F & 80% humidity at the start with winds of 20+ mph! I started with all good intentions of a PR until I soon learned that the only mile without a strong headwind was the first mile and the elevation chart was deceiving, where did all these big hills come from?
Mile 1 & 2 were feeling pretty good and I had the 1:35 pacer in sight
Mile 3-5 backing off a little but starting to get in a good pace, these hills can go away now!
Mile 6 Killer hill! and calf cramps, time to slow a little more. Let's make this a marathon pace run.
Mile 8 where is the water! I took Gatorade instead to wash down the Stinger, bad idea
Mile 9 here come the GI issues and some lady coming at me on a bike
Mile 10 there goes the 1:45 pacer, wtf?! he is way ahead
Mile 11 the split for the half is here, I am so glad I made my decision to change
Mile 12 the side of the road is covered in geese, run faster!
Mile 13.1 Done! 1:44:10

I saw the best sign today, pretty sure it was aimed at someone's past unfortunate race experience and many would not have understood but working marathon medical it was all too clear to me "Stay cool and hydrate. Remember the rectal thermometer!" One truly good reason to avoid the medical tent!



Matt and I done and looking forward to next weekend!

We are done and out of the heat! All set for next Sunday and happy to be relaxing at home. I also got the chance to meet Tracy (Sea Legs Girl) and her husband today, he was 2nd man and she 4th woman, way to go! See you both at Afton.

It was a fun (but short) weekend with friends, congrats Sarah on your 2nd half and Geoff on your 1st half. I know you will be back for more despite what you said today!