Humpy's Marathon 2003-08-17 (Anchorage, Alaska)

The goal was 3h30 to qualify for Boston Marathon for my age group.
I expected my time would range between 3h25 and 3h40.
I figured I would need to have a good day or great weather for the 3h30.
After raining all day Saturday, it was cool, 60F, and overcast but no rain for the run Sunday.
Perfect for running. And my day was good, too.
I exceeded my expectations and finished 3:22:10.
I guess I should go to Boston.

My planned pace was to try and stay under 7:30/mile through mile 8,
under 7:45/mile through mile 16, under 8:00/mile through mile 20
and whatever I had left after that.
I ranged 7:17-7:30 for the first 8 miles, 7:32-7:53 miles 9-16,
7:51-7:58 miles 17-20, and 7:34-8:13 the final 6 miles.
Only miles 21-23 were over 8 minutes. Effectively, I was on pace.
Felt Ok afterwards, but of course stiff.
Next morning left heel/ankle (ongoing problem) was very sore,
went for a 3 mile walk in the morning and my eyes were watering
for the first 1/2 mile until the ankle loosened up.
No running Monday, did do weekly intervals on Tuesday.
Ran a 5k the following Saturday, a minute faster than my 2003 best...
still a minute off my PR in 2001.
My only PR since 2001 was this marathon, beating Silicon Vally 2001 by over 4 minutes.
What a PR to get! I am older, not faster... but apparently smarter with better endurance.

I really liked the course. It was run entirely on bike paths with no road crossings. Much of the course there was a dirt path adjacent to reduce the pounding of pavement. The course ran a 3.5 mile out-and-back, a 1.5 mile out-and-back, and 8.1 out-and-back. The last two segments were along the coastal trail, the last part was very pretty (heavily wooded). The course was fairly flat. There were some minor inclines in the 3rd out-and-back which made it a bit more interesting (as well as scenic). The half marathon followed the same course through 10.5, starting 10 minutes later. With this format, the fast 1/2-ers started passing me after mile 5 and on the 2nd out-and-back I could see/greet leaders and then the folks behind me. For me, the 1/2-ers passing me gave me a boost to maintain pace and I always enjoy out-and-back where I can acknowledge/greet/encourage other runners. The hikers/joggers had an hour head start so that also meant there were some folks to chase and pass along the way (which always helps). I was feeling good at mile 23 and passed two runners who had been near me since mile 13, unfortunately from there I had nobody else in sight to chase. Sun came out in intervals during last 6 miles, but it did not get hot. I definitely recommend this as an enjoyable marathon.
There was good pasta feed at Humpy's Alehouse on Saturday afternoon.