Erin Go Run

Mile 2  split: ~7:23  marathon time: (didn’t clock the split)

While I missed the mile marker amongst the thousands of people around me, I know I somehow managed to run under 7:30 for the second mile. I found myself focusing on the conversations around me, as they were mostly about the different strategies on how to tackle the marathon. My favorite one was that of a conversation between two gentlemen running at what seemed to be their set race pace. They sensed me behind them and parted ways to let me by. As I passed, they were commenting on the large crowds and at one point said “I am a firm believer that the race doesn’t start until mile 20.” I thought about this and wondered how such an idea could be possible. Many arguments came to mind, but mostly I thought, What if mile 20 is too late?

Mile 3   split: ~8:04  marathon time: 23:30

Whether it was the adrenaline from the start of the race or the coffee still working its way through my bloodstream, I had to force myself not to get ahead of myself. I thought of previous races when I or a fellow runner had run too fast because they “felt good.” It is hard to say that without a retrospective doubt ringing through my ears. Sure you feel good three miles into the race, but you keep this up for 23 more miles, you are in for something else. So I pulled back a little bit, and tried to scope out someone that seemed to be at my caliber that might entertain my thoughts, even if we didn’t exchange any words. That distracted me enough through the mile that I began to think how quickly this race was going by… ironic, huh?