Because of my ITBS, I only managed to get in 1 long run of 2hr 20 mins 4 weeks ago and I havnt been running since. Just biked and swam, with a maximum biking distance of 35 miles. So needless to say I was really worried. In any case, I brought a bottle of Ibuprofen with me because I knew I was going to need it.

Due to the crazy amount of people (33,000+ finishers), I was stuck way back in the line. Was VERY worried in the first few miles because of the inadequate training that I had, so I was giving myself ALOT of selftalk. I was just talking to myself telling myself that my IM next june is going to be 10 times more painful and I have to get through this if I'm even thinking of completing the IM. And that was how I motivated myself for the rest of the race.

Managed to catch up with the 4.20 pace team and stuck with them for a couple of miles and slowly sped up and started chasing down pace teams ahead of me.

At mile 5, had my first serving of ibuprofen because I felt my knee starting to hurt. Pill no.3.

Sped up throughout the race and I felt that my HR was pretty constant and comfortable. Various pains came up along the way, on the sole of my foot and my knee. At Mile 11, I had Pill no 4 and 5.

Continued to run faster as I sense that my HR was constant and strong. Ran my first 12.1 miles in 1hr 48mins.

At around 2.5 hrs, my legs were starting to tire and I could felt lactic acid building up. That was when I knew that longer training runs would have benefitted me so much more. Regardless, I kept a constant pace and hoped that I could finish the race before my knee hurted so much that I had to walk.

Mile 16, Pill no 6.

Constant running through mile 21 and thats where I had Pill no 7 and tried to speed up to finish the race for a PB. Started to run faster, and could definately feel my HR going into the high 150s and then 160s.

The last mile was especially painful as I skipped the last drink station in order to not slow down. I had walked at ALL the gatorade stations and water stations previously to hydrate.

There was a slight bump before the last 0.2 miles and that definately slowed me down because I was pretty much spent having increased my pace for the last 5 miles.

"sprinted" down to the finish line for a great finish! YEAH! PB! (improved 9 mins from my first marathon 4 yrs ago!)

Stretch more before the race. I had to run to the side and stop for a minute to stretch after the race started because my hips were so tight!

I didnt warm down at all. Too tired...too painful


Unable to run for the past 4 weeks due to ITBS =(


FANTASTIC RACE! EVERYONE SHOULD DO IT! The supporters were great and the race route was just fantastic. 1 million spectators! EVERY single step of the way you'll have all the support you'll need. You'll never run alone!