Dallas White Rock Marathon - Run

This was my first marathon. I decided to run this one in preperation for IMFL next fall. I needed to prove to myself that I could run a marathon.

Miles 1 - 7: The marathoners and half-marathoners started the race on parallel streets seperated by a block. The two groups merged together at about 0.5 miles. This was an awesome sight. It was slightly downhill so you could see the runners coming together. Downtown Dallas is hilly and the sight of the runners in the canyons created by the high rises was specatcular. The first 7 miles were very crowded. Just about every mile had some group of volenteers and entertainment - a band or music. Some of the groups dressed up and it reminded me of Mardi Gras. At 6.5 miles the half marathoners turned off and the crowd lessened. After this point, it was pretty easy to run without watching out for other runners. I felt fine during the first 7 miles. Kept my pace where I wanted it and watched my HR.

Mile 8: Had to stop for the porta-potty.

Miles 9 - 19: At mile nine the runners top a hill and the course opens up to White Rock Lake. I've run this loop before. It's a beautiful, peaceful run where you can loose yourself in the run. There were fewer groups and entertainment on these miles. I made it to the half way point relatively easily. Miles 15 and 16 were pretty painful. My feet and knees started aching. I slowed and began walking the aid stations. At mile 16 I had an Advil. At mile 17 I stopped to pee again. After the porta potty break, I got back into a good rhythm and felt better. I started thinking that if I still felt this good at mile 20, then I would go all out for the last 6.2 miles. I kept telling myself to run the last 6 miles like it was just a 10k race. We crossed the Dolly Pardon hills and headed for mile 20. 20 miles was my longest run so the next 6.2 miles would be new territory.

Miles 20 - 26.2: OK. This is just a 10k. That's what I kept saying. I picked up the pace, focused on Chi running forms, leaned and let my legs fly out the back. I started passing people like crazy. In Gordo Byrn's "Going Long" he says you make up lots of time in the last few miles if you pace yourself correctly - it's all about not slowing down. Since I was a first time marathoner, my bib color was blue. Non-first timers had white. During this last 6 miles I got a lot of "Way to go first timer", "Looking good first timer", etc. from the spectators. Now, I know my times aren't blazingly fast and lots of people run much faster than I run. But, for me the pace for my last 6 miles was fast. It felt really good to run that fast. My fastest mile was mile 22 - 8:50. Wall? What wall?

I had a great time running my first marathon. But, triathlon is more fun. Will I run another marathon? Probably as training for triathlon.

Go to the bathroom more often before the race and maybe avoid needing to go during the run.

Walked around and found my wife. Drank an energy drink. Ate tacos from Chipotle and listened to the band.


Need more long runs. Need more tempo runs.


This was a great event. The volunteers were fantastic and the crowds along the route were really into it. Many of the homes along the route were having marathon watching parties; complete with booze, music, food, etc. The marathon will be even better after the construction of Victory park is complete. The developer is working on a 75 acre downtown development where the White Rock marathon will be held. The development is supposed to be the "Times Square" of Dallas.