I think it's pretty well-known (at least in many of the running Facebook groups in which I participate, even if not very often on this blog) that I dislike virtual marathons. There isn't an actual specific race-day set of conditions that all competitors have to contend with (from idyllic to Boston 2018 freezing, driving rain, to 2019 MCM downpour turned steambath). And everyone can choose their own course – from pancake flat or slightly rolling hills to major downhills (or, for the gluttons for punishment, major uphills).
Despite the above and my general disdain for virtual marathons, I decided to participate in the Abbott World Marathon Majors' virtual Global Marathon taking place this weekend. The “top 100” finishers (unclear exactly how that's being determined, though likely straight-up fastest 100 from age 40+) will be granted an invitation to the 2022 Age Championships. While I tend to doubt that I would finish in that vaunted group, nevertheless it was worth the $15 entry fee for the merest chance.
In the lead-up to this weekend, I had the choice of two rather different sets of conditions on the slightly rolling-hill course that I'd chosen: Cool (45-55F) with winds of 15mph+ or warmer (50-65F+) with winds of maybe 5mph. I chose the cooler day – today. And, despite the strong headwinds that I was hit with every single time I got to the back 1/3 mile of the 1-mile loop course I was on, I think it was the better choice, as I didn't overheat at any point in time.
I don't train over-much with hills (otherwise known as inclines on the treadmill), so the hills on this loop course – slight and brief as they were, especially when compared to the Newton Hills of Boston (ugh!) – took their toll on me. The first 18 miles, I stuck to my goal of approximately 7:20/mile. But those last 8.2 miles were the kicker, progressively getting ever slower (to about 8:15/mile by the end).
As I saw my lap times get ever slower, I saw my goal of not just sub-3:10 but of 3:15 slip by. I thought that I had even gotten into the 3:20 – 3:25 range. But, amazingly enough, I actually finished with a 3:16:06 – a BQ time (even though it won't count for Boston, since it's only a virtual race).
I'm surprised that I actually managed a sub-3:20 given those perpetual head winds eating away at a nice downhill part of the loop, and the uphill beating down on me with each additional lap. Gradually, I'm seeing my placement on the Live Leaderboard slip away. As I type this, I'm 92nd overall (and currently 28th in my age group). I'll need to wait until Tuesday, likely, to find out where I stand in the entire group of 40+, since I'm not about to keep track of each of the age groups and where my time falls in comparison on all of them. Suffice to say, today was a good effort, will leave me in pretty decent stead for my live marathon in mid-June and, once I go through a full training regimen for October's Chicago Marathon, will hopefully get me to that elusive sub-3:00.
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