Cherokee Road Runners Louisville Marathon & Half Marathon - RunMarathon

I was doing this race to pace Rebecca to a Boston qualify time. Our first several miles were above pace by about 15ish seconds, but we both felt comfortable, so we decided it was good to have time in the bank. It looks like the wall came at about 19 miles, as the splits started to drop off quite a bit. She was really starting to hurt, and pain reduced the speed. (BEEN THERE, DONE THAT....LOTS). By mile 21 it became apparent that Boston had slipped away. Since I had been the one who trainer her, I felt quite a bit of responsibility, but in the end, it's a marathon, and shit happens...and on this day it DID happen. The last 3 or 4 miles were tough ones, but we make it to the finish line, where her sister, brother in law, niece and friend were waiting. It's hard to think about your next marathon when you feel like you've missed your goals on one just moments ago, but I told her when she was ready, I had a few ideas on how to help her plow through those last few tough miles next time. Live and learn. Mary and I always take the drive home from races and try to figure what was right, what was wrong, and how to do better next time, no matter if it's a good race or a bad one, so I'm used to figuring out "game plans", both as a racer, and now as a coach. Rebecca WILL go to Boston, when it's her time, and I hope I'm there to watch her cross the line.

Could have, would have, should have.

Exactly what you're NOT supposed to do. I collapsed in the grass for about 5 minutes.


It's an age old question. When you 'feel' ready and in the end it don't happen, it's hard to give a reason.


I'm just a bit surprised this marathon isn't bigger. I mean, it IS Louisville, home of the newest Ironman venue. It's a large city. The course is nice. I wonder why this race is so small...just a few hundred. As it's set up right now, it really couldn't be a SEVERAL THOUSAND runner race, with the little trails and the "out and back" part of the half marathon running with the FULL marathon. Oh well...it's just a thought....personally, after speaking with the race organizers a few months ago, it's just a rather small operation that isn't well marketed, and that's a shame, since Louisville could certainly be a world class marathon venue.