Started out training using the Pitzinger 18 Week / 55 Mile Plan that I used to qualify for Boston. I did a poor job of getting all my runs in for a number of reasons but the biggest obstacle was the heat this summer in Atlanta. Not only did I have little-to-no desire to get out there and train but when I did manage to get a med-long or long run in then it would zap me for the next day. As the weather relented towards the end of training I started to get out more regularly and my fitness level returned. Unfortunately, it was a little too late. The training went well over the last 6-7 weeks and I made the decision to toe the line with intentions of qualifying for Boston ... I was fooling myself.

I decided to run MCM as a majority of my running group was signed up and several people from work were going to run as well. Several people dropped out but we still had a good turn out. There were two young guys from my running group that had trained faster then I did but they decided on race day to try and hit 3:20 (my Boston qualifying time). I debated whether to hang with them as I typically like to run "my own race". But knowing that I had a 50/50 chance of hitting my goal time I thought I should at least have some fun and enjoy the day.

The race started out dreadfully slow. We were packed in and could not find any clear running room. The first mile was over 9 minutes and, although I did not panic, I knew that if things did not clear up soon that I would be playing catchup throughout the day. Well, they did not really clear up until mile 4 or 5 and by then I was about 4 minutes behind pace - a little math in my head said that I needed to run 10 seconds per mile faster over the course of the remaining 22 miles. I knew that I did not have 7:25s in me but I felt good and was not about to give up.

I stayed with the two "young guns" until about mile 10 and then decided that they were running a little carelessly - they would accelerate and then slow down when they realized they were going too fast. It was time for me to run my own race.

I came to the realization that it was probably not in the cards when I hit 13.1. I have come to that realization at half way points before and ended up being successful so I decided I would maintain the necessary pace and re-evaluate after every mile. When I looked at my mile 15 split (7:38) I knew it was over.

From that point I wanted to try and maintain an 8:00 pace. I also knew that I could slow down to 8:15 and still comfortably come in under 3:30. My body would not cooperate with a slowdown for the next 2 miles. I was still running 7:50s. I think my body was locked into that pace and I paid for it later. A combination of a) less-than-optimal training, b) trying to make up time after the start, and c) not slowing down in a timely manner cost me a 3:30.

When I hit the 20 mile marker I tried to convince myself that a 10K was a piece of cake. I tried to remind myself how fast the first 6 miles went by. Neither of these thoughts worked. I would quickly dismiss them and think about how tired I was and how much more tired I would be at 26 miles. I vowed never again to do the run-walk-shuffle over the last 6 miles of a marathon. This was marathon number 8 and, damnit, I was not going to fall into that rookie trap. I was re-motivated shortly after the 20 mile mark ... I passed the two "young guns".

From mile 22 I started to walk the water stops to a) rest a second, and b) make sure I was getting enough powerade (blue powerade - blech). Although everyone talks about how ideal the weather was, it still seemed hot for me and I had the salt crust on my face and my shirt was soaked. I did not want to start cramping up.

Miles 24 and 25 were real tough - kept about a 9 minute pace but still maintained forward momentum. The last 1.2 miles was the toughest stretch I have ever encountered. I had an overwhelming urge to stop and forward progress was slowing substantially. For the first time in a marathon I was asked "are you OK? Do you need me to find help"? I said "no, thank you" and kept moving. When I hit the little hill going up to the Iwo Jima Memorial I actually stopped for a second or two. I did not know how I was going to get up it. I had my name on my short and people started screaming my name. A few people went sprinting by me and I thought to myself "suck it up buttercup". I made it to the top and crossed the finish line with no smile on my face and no hands in the air - just a mixed expression of pain and relief.

I made it through the finisher area and plopped down in the grass after getting my medal. I considered the fact that I might throw up but there was no way I was going to be able to get up quickly enough to do it discretely. I decided that the relief of sitting down was stronger then the embarrassment of puking in a heavily populated area. Fortunately, the nausea passed. I got up and moved to the bag drop which seemed to be located a couple of states away. I met up with some folks and then went back to my hotel to crash for a couple of hours.

That night we went out for some Mexican food and hit the bars in Georgetown. I was surprised how dead it was in G'town. I would have thought more finishers were partying - not the case.

Overall, I had a great race. This was far and away the most I have ever pushed myself and that includes 7 other marathons and two Half Ironman races. The time did not get me into Boston but I am pretty happy to have my 3rd best marathon time despite "less than ideal" training.

Here are my splits for anyone interested - my Garmin was a little screwed up at first because it did not find the satelite right away so the first few miles are a little inaccurate:

1- 0:09:05,
2- 0:09:49,
3- 0:07:08,
4- 0:07:50,
5- 0:07:18,
6- 0:07:25,
7- 0:07:55,
8- 0:07:24,
9- 0:07:24,
10- 0:07:21,
11- 0:07:37,
12- 0:07:29,
13- 0:07:33,
14- 0:07:33,
15- 0:07:38,
16- 0:07:49,
17- 0:07:53,
18- 0:08:09,
19- 0:08:13,
20- 0:08:22,
21- 0:08:25,
22- 0:08:44,
23- 0:08:34,
24- 0:08:56,
25- 0:09:03,
26- 0:08:46,
26.2- 0:02:46