I started too far (unintentionally) in front and I felt like EVERYONE was passing me the first couple miles and I felt SO slow! It's hard for me to stay back when everyone else (or so it seemed) was running faster. My goal was 10 minute miles, and I was registering in at 9:30ish miles the first half. Little did I know that I would surprise myself and keep this pace the entire way, so starting further up actually was a good thing. I felt like I was going a bit too fast but I was still comfortable.....just pushing myself a bit. I stuck with it since I was feeling good. The first 5 miles seemed to go by really fast which helped me be confident that I could keep the pace. At mile 9 a kid had some super squirt gun and soaked one side of my head....thanks for the shower! The last 3 miles I passed quite a few people, one of which was a man singing along to his ipod haha! It wasn't until about mile 11 that my legs were seriously ready to stop. At mile 10 I figured if I could run 8 minute miles, I might beat 2 hours. That plan fell apart at mile 11. The last mile felt like forever.....beautiful scenery along the lake shore, but I was hurting and not interested so much at that point! Finally, I could see the finish line!

Not get Gatorade in my eyes? ;)

Stood in line for the food and got super hot with the mylar wrap so I tossed it....bad idea.....I was soon SO cold....shivering and all, even with my jacket back on. Got a massage which I have never done before and it was great, even if it was only 5 minutes. Looked and looked for BTers, but saw no one :(


Nothing, happy with my performance. I just started running again in May, so I think I did pretty well keeping that in mind. I just decided in July that it was time to get back into distance running. I'm proud of myself for doing that. I've been struggling with fatigue the past month, but I don't feel that had any impact on today's race.


I was impressed with this race. I wasn't too sure about the whole bus to the start line, but it was no big deal. Well organized, good support along the way, nice course. Some of the music along the course and before and after the race was odd for a race, but that's minor. Tons of volunteers, medical support, etc. Now I want to do another marathon....of course after this! But my legs were killing me with just a 1/2...we'll see.