It has been a long, long time since I have been able to complete a truly satisfactory distance race.  This has been a pretty good year for me though, despite health issues and lifestyle obstacles.  In 2008 I set PRs in the 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon.  This year I ran close to personal bests in the 10k, half-marathon, marathon or at least the fastest since 2008.

For how my training has gone the last couple of years, dealing with injuries, and taking on more in life to say I am incredibly pleased with the way the year went would be an understatement. I am also really psyched for next year and already chomping at the bit to get my training set up for 2015.

Last June I signed up for the California International Marathon in Sacramento, CA.  I had heard good things about it from multiple sources and thought I would give it a shot.  I would be able to hang out with two old friends.  I would have six weeks of training out of cross country.  I might get some good weather, though lots of rain and higher temps made it really humid out there.

The course goes on a point-to-point route from Folsom Dam in Folsom, CA to the state capitol building in downtown Sacramento.  Starting area is nothing particularly special, other than the incredible amount of port-a-potties provided.  Something like one potty for every 26 runners.

Warmed up with Eric and Tom, both guys pursuing some seriously fast times.  Hung around a bit, found Ryan Regnier at the start and the off we went.  I knew the first half was rolling hills.  I didn’t expect the first half to include the first eighteen miles.  I also expected net downhill (330ft down to 26 ft).  But I did not expect the amount of uphill that would be involved also.  Managed to run really, really even for a large majority of the race (see below).  Caught on with the women’s group trying for their Olympic “B” standard of sub-2:43. Had them as company for the middle miles, but I got tired of worrying about being cut off at water stations and dealing with the group, so I struck out on my own. I had hoped to wait a bit longer, but I hadn’t traveled all this way to not find out. . .

I would regret this in the later miles as some of the women, and men, came back to catch me in the last two miles.  Was not helped by how flat the lower end of the course turned out to be.  You would think that catching people would be helpful, but a lot of them were walking by now.  At this point in a marathon walking looks like a pretty inviting prospect.  But you keep it rolling as best as you can.

Mixed results for the crew I was with.  Two DNFs, two decent finishes (though not goal achieving runs by myself and Ryan), and shiny new PR (congrats Eric!).  Worth the trip?  No doubt.

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2:44:49