This was only my second race, the first being the sprint tri in October, so I was not sure exactly what to expect or how to pace myself. I have been running slowly the past 8 weeks, trying to build aerobic endurance and increase my mileage.

My sister in Oklahoma was running the marathon and invited my wife to join her. I decided to run the 1/2 and just treat it as part of my training. But as I got close to the race, I could not stand the thought of running slowly in it and wanted to challenge myself. I set a goal to try to break 2 hours. I missed it by 51 seconds, argh!!

This race was MUCH more physically challenging than the sprint tri. It gave me a taste of what I am going to experience in the HIM in September. I have so much more to do to get ready.

It was nice to not have to worry about bringing gear for three events, figuring out how to transport a bike, setting up transition, etc.

Overall the run was challenging, especially the last 3 miles. I had a great time and really enjoyed running with a large crowd through city streets.

I need to become less of a wimp about cold weather and learn to live with less clothing at the beginning of the race.

I need to remember to stretch after a race.

I need to get some light-weight sunglasses for running. The sun was really bothering my eyes during a lot of this run.

I need to figure out why I get so cold after long runs like this.

I need to not have so many problems with my watch next time.

I had a great time this weekend. I got to spend time with my sister that I do not see very often. Both my sister and my wife finished the marathon; I am so proud of them both.

I got to meet Aaron (JeepFleeb) and Haley (TriComet). I think tmwelshy was with them as well, but we were all headed in different directions after the race and I only had a minute to chat with Aaron.

There were a lot of munchies after the event and a good band. A lot of the food was wiped out by the time some of the full marathoners had finished which did not seem right.

For a race with 10,000 participants through a big city, there were precious few spectators. A really, really low number. The course through some of the residential neighborhoods was fun with the neighbors out cheering us on. My favorite was the table in front of one house with several boxes of Krispy Kream doughnuts and the sign "Give up now - get a free doughnut."