Vermont City Marathon - RunMarathon

Brad was running this marathon w/ me so we started out with Craig and Amy. The others running (Doug, Nate and Heidi) were different paces and were somewhere in front of us. Hung w/ C & A for the first 3 miles or so, but had to let them go. I could tell it would be a long day. Brad was great the whole time keeping me entertained and trying to keep my spirits high. The run up the main street was awesome! We did this long out and back. There was an awesome congo drum band out at the turnaround. The second decent climb (the first one was within the first 3 miles) was around mile 7.5 or so. Managed to set a good pace and run the whole thing. We snaked back through town and I started to "feel it". Joints were a little achy. We were running through some neighborhoods and it was starting to get hot. Managed to only walk a little in the first 13.1 miles. Hit my wall after that. It was hard to think I still had another half to go! Brad kept things positive and I kept on my nutrition (GU every 4 miles...later increased the frequency as miles got slower). Last big hill was at mile 15 where there was some sort of asian drum band there. They were awesome and carried me up that hill! Ran this one too...no walking! WOO HOO! A chick on the side of the road had a sign that said, "think of how great your ass will look after you run this hill". Funny stuff!
Last leg snaked through neighborhoods. This part never seemed to end!! We did a small loop through a side street and a guy was out there handing out pineapple. I love him!! Had a few pieces and kept on movin'. The crowds and bands along the way were awesome!!!
We finally made it to the bike path which was the last leg. I was hurting pretty bad at this point, but we would run/walk to certain parts along the trail to keep the pace faster than just a walk. Finally made it to the finish area. The course snaked around, gave you a peek of the finish line before making you do a small OAB to get to 26.2. Ran the last .5 miles or so and crossed the finish line with Brad.

More long runs. I also think that as I get more years of running experience under my belt, my times will drop. This was a PR for me by 40 minutes so I can't complain too much. I just wish I didn't hit my wall so early.

Found our group and stretched a bit. Got some Ben and Jerry's....SO GOOD!!!
Soaked the legs in Lake Champlain when we got back to the house.


Too few long runs.
Also, I think the heat played a factor. It got hot out there and there wasn't too much shade.
I was telling Brad that I think my mind felt like it had to walk when I really didn't need to. I would think I had to walk, but felt OK at times when I was running.


I really liked this race! The spectators and volunteers were awesome!!
The schwag was really good w/ a technical shirt. Medals were great too. Ice cream at the end was the best though!
Course was OK...parts were great and others weren't good.
Brad honestly made this race for me. On top of running w/ me, he kept my spirits high and made sure I ate, drank, took salt, etc. I can thank him for my finish time...if I ran solo, it would have been slower.
I think I'll keep him around. ;)