Didn't really know what to expect with my broken arm and not feeling that well. I believed I could run 3:30 if I felt well, but realized 3:45 was more likely considering my last month. I had the arm re-broken and a plate with 9 screws surgically installed just 2 weeks and 2 days earlier. I didn't even take a watch. I just wanted to run by how I felt, not by the clock. Though not certain, I think I hit the 13 mile point sometime around 1:40, suggesting that the last half really wore me down. I ran steadily to mile 17, then at the aid station, I had to stop and the volunteer suggested I sit down. I ran to the top of 8th, then walked, ran and walked. It got warm, and the head 10 mph wind up the rail trail from mile 7 to about 13 was taxing, but it helped me cool. I think I've had a feaver for the last week, maybe a mild infection. The head wind helped keep me dry. Running down through PC my tank top was soaking wet. I took it off and got showered by every aid station that had a water sprayer. Ahhh - relief.
As slow as I was running down the foot path and to the barn, I'm surprised not so many people passed me. And I knew I'd slowed down a lot. But once I hit the meadow lands, I felt better. This was much cooler, in the shade and by a stream, with lush wetland vegetation, and also knowing the end was only 4 miles. I ran well, stopping only once to get sprayed again, and looking back at who was behind me. Not that I cared, I just wanted to see if anyone looked familiar. Ok, so I weighed 171.0 on Friday night before bed. After 3 bottles of chocolate milk on the way home, I weighed 164.0. And I drank a lot, never ever passing up water on this run, and twice filling up at least twice. Temperature was 55 at the start, 76 at the end.
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