這週參加了遠東馬拉松賽事。去年我跑半馬，記得在魔鬼坡那裡被一堆人刷卡，今年，我決定選擇相對平坦的9K來跑。

鳴槍之後，一群年輕人馬上衝出去，他們好快，而且好大一群，我不自覺的被拉高配速，衝到了3”36，而且越跑越快，大概跑到4-5K左右，我感覺雙腳堆積了無限的乳酸，酸到我後面5K的配速竟然比上週半馬的配速還慢！我勉強維持4分尾，咬牙撐住以總八分一完成賽事。這場慘痛的教訓再次讓我學到了配速的重要性。

很幸運的，這場賽事的分組獎盃很精緻，賽事安排也很優質，很感覺賽道上幫我加油打氣的志工跟朋友們。馬尾哥的百馬團超好玩！

一場賽事最讚的部份，不是獎盃，也不是獎金，而是賽事當中的熱情跑者跟志工朋友們。

Last year, I ran 21k. However, I was passed by so many people on the gigantic uphill. This year, I decided to join 9k, which has a flatter route.

After the gun, many young people sprinted. They were so fast, and many. My pace was unconsciously dragged too fast. My first lap was 3:36/km, and I continued to run too fast. After 4~5 km, my legs were full of lactate acid. My race was over. The last 5km was miserably slower than that of my half marathon last week. I struggled to keep sub-4min pace to finish as the overall 8th, age group 1st. Another painful lesson on pacing. 

Luckily, the age group trophy was beautiful this year. As usual, this race was organized so well. I appreciated many friends and volunteers cheered me. 馬尾哥's 100th marathon cerebration run was so much fun!

Not prize, not money. People are the best part of any race.