So road trip down to Jackson Mississippi that I documented for the most part in the snub thread in Yammering.
Race start time was 7:00am, so it was a 5:20am wake up call for my routine of a peanut butter bagel, banana and Gatorade breakfast, getting dressed and of course washroom duties. The morning weather forecast was as predicted with rain coming down but with hopes it would end just before start time. I like to get to the start/finish area at the Jackson Convention Center, which was the site of kit pick up the day before, about an hour before start which I just about did and managed to park about 200 meters away from the start line. The rain was still falling so I lingered in my car for about 30 minutes before venturing out and seeking shelter under a walkway next to the start area. I was in a short sleeved tee, shorts and running cap, with a clear plastic bag for extra rain protection.
It was still showering when we lined up and listen to a Blues version of the Star Spangled Banner, but you could see clearing skies in the distance. And sure enough the rain stopped about two miles in the race. I ripped off my baggy just after the start gun, but there were still many in their garbage bags and plastic ponchos. One gal running in a black garbage bag with no arm holes cut out looked like a running potato chip. Temps were good in the low to mid 50Fs and mild to moderate winds.
First part of the race looped us around Jackson University and some very sketchy downtown neighborhoods (lots of boarded up homes). We went back through the start line the opposite way after 5K, so it was a good time to do a porta potty stop as they were plentiful with no waiting. Headed north past the Old State Capitol building with the new Capitol Building just a few blocks away. After passing the University of Mississippi at the 7 mile mark the Half Marathoners that started with the Marathoners split off. Marathon had about 800 participants, plus some three dozen 5 person relay teams and the half had 2,000. There was a Quarter Marathon that started later that had 300 entrants.
Into North Jackson which has some very fine neighborhoods and houses, some seemingly from the plantation days. Small smattering of family spectators, but great volunteers on route. Probably one of the hilliest marathon I have run. Very few flat sections. I managed to do five hill workout sessions in my training for the race. You can see my Km splits were all over the place. Elevation chart below.
Was playing hopscotch for the most part with the 4:10 bunny. I think I passed him for good at 24 miles. Rejoined the Half Marathoners at the 21 mile mark and began passing the half walkers. There were about two dozen marathon walkers that started an hour earlier that I passed. Rain began again at the 22 mile mark as we passed the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and it was off and on till the finish line with a couple of thunder boomers heard, but no lightning seen. Last 10K were pretty stiff legged, but I managed to not walk any of the race, except some brief times through aid stations.
Lots of Marathon Maniacs at this race, many doing the Back2Back Challenge and running the Mobile First Light Marathon tomorrow, Sunday. Not for me thanks.
Finishing chip time for me was 4:10:50. A 9:35 mile pace and 15/46 in the 50-54 age group. I think this was marathon #70 for me and state #40?
Great medal.
KM SPLITS
Kilometer Time Change Avg Pace
1 7:17 -7'17"/km
2 13:07 - 1:27 (19%) 5'50"/km
3 18:43 - 0:14 (4%) 5'36"/km
4 24:37 + 0:18 (-6%) 5'54"/km
5 30:15 - 0:16 (4%) 5'38"/km
6 37:05 + 1:12 (-22%) 6'50"/km – porta potty stop
7 42:44 - 1:11 (17%) 5'39"/km
8 48:29 + 0:06 (-2%) 5'45"/km
9 54:06 - 0:08 (2%) 5'37"/km
10 59:32 - 0:11 (3%) 5'26"/km
11 1:05:02 + 0:04 (-2%) 5'30"/km
12 1:10:26 - 0:06 (1%) 5'24"/km
13 1:16:12 + 0:22 (-7%) 5'46"/km
14 1:22:08 + 0:10 (-3%) 5'56"/km
15 1:27:50 - 0:14 (3%) 5'42"/km
16 1:33:30 - 0:02 (0%) 5'40"/km
17 1:39:21 + 0:11 (-4%) 5'51"/km
18 1:45:06 - 0:06 (1%) 5'45"/km
19 1:50:54 + 0:03 (-1%) 5'48"/km
20 1:56:46 + 0:04 (-2%) 5'52"/km
21 2:02:30 - 0:08 (2%) 5'44"/km
22 2:08:22 + 0:08 (-3%) 5'52"/km
23 2:14:17 + 0:03 (-1%) 5'55"/km
24 2:19:58 - 0:14 (3%) 5'41"/km
25 2:25:50 + 0:11 (-4%) 5'52"/km
26 2:32:39 + 0:57 (-17%) 6'49"/km – porta potty stop
27 2:38:35 - 0:53 (12%) 5'56"/km
28 2:44:27 - 0:04 (1%) 5'52"/km
29 2:50:10 - 0:09 (2%) 5'43"/km
30 2:56:07 + 0:14 (-5%) 5'57"/km
31 3:02:12 + 0:08 (-3%) 6'05"/km
32 3:08:10 - 0:07 (1%) 5'58"/km
33 3:14:29 + 0:21 (-6%) 6'19"/km
34 3:20:27 - 0:21 (5%) 5'58"/km
35 3:26:35 + 0:10 (-3%) 6'08"/km
36 3:33:07 + 0:24 (-7%) 6'32"/km
37 3:39:27 - 0:12 (3%) 6'20"/km
38 3:45:33 - 0:14 (3%) 6'06"/km
39 3:51:53 + 0:14 (-4%) 6'20"/km
40 3:58:34 + 0:21 (-6%) 6'41"/km
41 4:04:36 - 0:39 (9%) 6'02"/km
42 4:10:15 - 0:23 (6%) 5'39"/km
