Started off really well, at a pace that I felt was below what I was going to finish with. After about 4.5 miles I started picking up the pace, but since my Garmin didn't charge properly I was forced to run without it. I didn't feel like I was exerting to much energy, but the pace quickly became slightly quicker than I originally wanted. Figured it was the adrinaline, so I didn't question it to much. I really felt my legs from mile 18 to 21.5, and then I have a lot of pain starting at 21.5. Figuring I hit the wall, which is normal, I thought ok, just fight through it. Unfortunatly I started feeling sick to my stomach on top of the pain, and since I hadn't seen much in the way of medical staff, and the fear that it my have been from over exertion, I opted to go to a run/walk method for the remainder. I still was able to stay in the 12 min/mile range, but lost a lot of the pace and momentum to do it.

Try to stick with the original plan a little better. Ensure the Garmin charges properly so that I can actually use the tool for pacing myself that I have obviously become reliant on for my really long races. Try to get more than one 20 mile training run prior to the Marathon. Possibly train with a 22+ mile run prior to taper madness beginning.

After finishing I quickly got some water and changed out of the sneakers. After getting a little food and liquide in my system Laura and I walked around the 16th Street Mall and wandered into Starbucks. I really needed something cold and caffinated, so I got an Ice Coffee. It was the best Iced Coffee I have had in years, I think it is because anything tastes great after a difficult workout.


Legs and mind hit the wall very hard. Though I was mostly prepared for such events to take place since I had a much more difficult time finishing up my first Marathon last year.


Though a few things I wasn't thrilled about it was all-in-all a good race. Plus I was spoiled with the Marine Corps Marathon as my first mile.