Surprised myself that I could run the whole course. The 1/2 and full started at the same time and ran together for the first 3 miles. However, the 1/2 mary didn't get to cross the starting race mat. I started my timer a few seconds after I saw the mat at the full mary side. Ran with TAGP and tri_again. Music I ran with were mostly Mozart violin concerti and sonatas for piano and violin, a couple of Bach's and a couple of Schubert's.

Mile 2: saw OnTheRun 20 yards ahead of us. Ran over to him and we ran together a bit
Mile 3: full and 1/2 mary splitted. 1/2 mary turns onto Rouke bridge across the Merrimack. Was nervous running on that bridge as I am afraid of height. Looking to the ground and saw holes on the bridge and felt I was going to fall into the river.
Mile 4-5: the run course of the Lowell Tri I did in July. The sun shone directly on us and began to feel warm. Took off my longsleeves. Both tri_again and I were telling TAGP about the Lowell tri in July and pointing out the TA, the swim etc.
Mile 6-8: kept chatting on and off with tri_again and TAGP
Mile 7: realized I dropped my gel packet.
Mile 9: Knees began to sore. SI joint held up pretty well, just a bit of tightness. Guess the new running shoes are working well. tri_again got a called of nature. TAGP and I kept running but slowed down our paces.
~ Mile 10: tri_again caught up with us and said she was going to take off. I couldn't keep up with her. By that time it was my PR for longest distance I ever ran. Quads were very tired. I was ready to do some walking. TAGP pointed out that there were only a 5k to finish and we should be able to do it.
Mile 11: TAGP found a fanny pack type of thing on the course, apparently someone dropped it. There were 2 packets of Gu inside. I felt my energy level going down since I lost my own gel. I ate the gel she found.
Mile 12: SI join acting up. But I wasn't allowing myself to walk with only ~1 mile to go. Good timing with my nusic, too. By this time the 1812 overture was on. Perfect for a strong finish :)
Mile 13: turned into finish, ran around the baseball field and DONE!!


Be more prepared and do a few 10 milers before a 1/2 mary

Race ends at Le Lacheur stadium. Got food, hung around with tri_again, and watched for other finishers. Saw immyfish, who qualified for Boston, in some 3:06. Stretched out legs and waited for OnTheRun.


Not well prepared


First half mary. Happy tht I didn't have to walk.

Official time = 2:20:14
My watch = 2:18:57

Also didn't like the fact that the 1/2 mary racers didn't get to cross the starting mat.