Mile 1 - 6
I started pretty close to the front. Once I took off, the runners started to thin out around mile 3. Some where between mile 2 and 3, I realized that things were going to be tough because I was sweating alot at this point. The first water stop was just before mile 3 and I wished it was closer. I made a decision to drink one water and one Gatorade and pour one or two waters over my head at every water stop. I reached Mile 6 at 55:24 and feeling pretty good.

Mile 7 - 12
These miles felt pretty good but I was a little concerned at the heart rate number at a steady 181 - 183 bpm through out this section. My LT number is 167 bpm, I know this is acceptable for a half marathon but had my doubt for a full marathon. There were two water stops during this section. I reached mile 12 at 1:52

Mile 13 - 18
Once I reached the half marathon at 2:06:09, I asked myself if I could maintain this pace for the remainder. I had some doubts based on the way I was feeling but I had to move on. After mile 14, things started to slow down below 10:30 minute miles. Then after mile 16, I started to count down the miles single digit style. Then at mile 17, I picked up some lead sneakers that I couldn't shake off. My legs felt really heavy but cardio was still good. I reached mile 18 at 2:59 and knew a sub 4 was out of the question.

Mile 19 - 24
Mile 19 felt a little better and I thought that I might be able to return back to at least sub 10:45 minute miles. After mile 20, I some how picked up a small car on my back to go along with the lead sneakers. My legs were spent and I could hear my sneakers dragging as oppose to running lightly. These were my slowest miles and the toughest miles mentally. I even slowed things down even slower during mile 22 to get below my LT heart rate. I was really struggling at this point but had gone to far to stop running. I reached mile 24 at 4:17 and knew even a sub 4:30 would be tough.

Mile 25 - 26.6
I made an attempt to speed things up, but my legs wouldn't cooperate. I had just gone by a water stop just prior to mile 24 and I wanted to know if that was it. A volunteer said yes so I knew, I had to survive the rest of the way. I felt dehydrated but I had to fight on, there was a water stop just after mile 25 and I was in heaven. Once I saw, 1 mile left I knew this was a great lesson mentally for me.

I crossed the finish line at 4:46:26 and was greeted by two volunteers who asked my several times if I was okay and need anything. I recieved my finisher medal and finisher technical hat. I also forgot to mention the Nike technical shirt in the goody bag at the Expo.

The plan for my next marathon is to start slower and finish stronger on the back end. I will probably watch my heart rate closer and see what happens. This was another learning experience for my young running career.

This was the best of all the marathons completed. I was given a cold water bottle followed by 3 bottles of cold gatorade in the same bottle. I then went to the food line, which consisted of fruits, ice cream, moon pies, soup, and a huge peanut butter and jelly sandwich times 2. This was awesome and let me not forget the 10 minute massage while I ate another ice cream sandwich.


I could say, it was the humidity or the Lactic Acid built up early in the race. But ever run that isn't your best is always a great learning lesson for your next.


This was an awesome race. It was inexpensive, close to home, great volunteers, good gear in return, and overall the best race for your money. I will make this a yearly for me and will suggest this race to others.