I had only done a couple of 4000 yard swims during training and was a little nervous. Tried to stay smooth and steady and was hoping to get out of the water around 1:30. Downstream current wasn't quite as nice as I expected but I didn't get out into the middle of the river like some folks did.

I need some serious swim coaching...I have been swimming now at the same speed for 3 years.

Heard Leslie (1111) yell encouragement as she came in just behind me which told me I was probably in the water about 30 minutes before she was. Given the time trial start, it was nice to get in line early and not see 99% of the bikes gone already...if nothing else it was a mental boost.

I can average between 18-19mph on the course I work out on in Roswell but this course was much tougher. I had one rule going into the bike. NO BURNING LEG MUSCLES. I managed to bite my lip and try keep my legs fresh. The guy at the briefing said you should feel like you could have gave a little more after the bike. If I did anything right on this ride, I stayed in the saddle all but three times.

I found the course to be very tough, there was one downhill where people were going over 35 mph and a really nasty wreck. In fact, I finally started counting bikers in various stages of bonk, equipment issues, etc. I counted over 25 bikers having some kind of problem. Most of them were skinnier than me and had nicer bikes!!

I would have liked to bike a little better, I would spend more time in on long hills as this was as tough as this course. I was actually glad to start the run.

I was stunned at the number of red bags still in the transition area. I am not sure how close I was to the bike cut off but I couldn't have made it by that much. I saw that I had 7 hours to complete the marathon and I knew I was in pretty good shape then.

I started this season off with a sub 50 minute 10K and a 1:55 Half marathon, then Plantar Faciitis set in and really cut into my training. I had been doing a run-walk technique for long runs to save my PF doing 6-running and 1-walking. I managed to hold around a 12 minute pace for most of the race until my feet just hurt so bad I couldn't stand it. By then, I had over two hours to complete three miles and figured since I am walking 17 minute miles and running 13 minute miles it would be worth the 12 minutes to give my feet a rest. At that point I felt great and knew that I would finish. I was on pace for a 5:20-ish marathon but my feet were in too much pain. I thought I had put some tylenol in my special needs bag but it wasn't in there (You would think the 400 times I checked my stuff I would have remembered). I would like to see what I could do if my feet weren't killing me.

Get the cortizone shot everyone was telling me to get. Otherwise, I think this was the exact race that I needed to run.

Walk 4 blocks back to the Galt House.


I should have spent more time on hilly courses during base. Also, the foot injuries were really tough on my body and I think being a little lighter will help. This next year, I really want to concentrate on getting my weight down. Maybe race as an age-grouper by next year and not a clydesdale.


This season has been a little tough with injuries to my feet. There was some doubt about finishing it but I feel like I did as well as I could. I would have liked to come in around 14-15 hours but I will need to either do a different race or get a little stronger in the saddle.

It was great to hear encouragement from Felix and Leslie during the race. The finish was incredible and the only thing I wanted to do was complete the race.