I started out feeling pretty fresh, and was hitting my sub-3 pace splits with good consistency. The somewhat hilly out and back on the highway in the first half was tough with some hills, and starting to get a little warm out. I came through the halfway point at 1:29:30ish, almost exactly like Boston. And similar to Boston, I knew the biggest hill was yet to come. But I was starting to feel it a little bit more here compared to Boston, so I started to worry about the sub-3. The big hill was definitely a beast at mile 15-16. I kept good form and pace, and got up it without popping.

The race really got tough after this. There were these incredibly long straight away sections that were soo monotonous in the late teens. Twisting through the neighborhoods with all the people cheering was great relief from this. But I could tell by mile 18 that I was likely not going to break 3 hours. I felt bad, but kept telling myself the last 3 miles were downhill, so just get to that and you are good. I hit mile 20 still barely on pace for sub-3, but I was slowing down. I started cramping a little in my calves at about 22, and was fighting with that while waiting for the downhill that never seemed to come. I would say the last mile is downhill, not 3. I was counting on something that never came, but it didn't matter anyway.

In the finishing chute I had to all out sprint against this guy who tried to pass me, but I got him. Turned out he was a relay runner, the jerk.

Nothing, went for the sub-3 and it wasn't there today.

I was hurting really bad. I found a spot under a tree and just sat/laid there for awhile. Once I felt better I got some food, and eventually started meeting up with friends. Once I felt like I was somewhat able, I tried to stretch a little bit. Took awhile to feel human again.


I was really hoping to break 3 hours here, coming up just short at Boston 6 weeks ago. But I took extended break to let my knee heal, and didn't have great training before tapering for this. Probably just too close to Boston, too much injury recovery time, and a bit too hilly and warm for the sub-3 to happen today. But to have a "bad day" and still run a 3:02.... I'll take it.


Really enjoyed this marathon. First time in Burlington, and it's a really cool city! I would do it again.