I had a guy who offered to pace me...an experienced marathoner. What he didn't tell me until after the race is that he hurt his back a few days before the race, and was dealing with a sore spot on his foot that has been nagging him for a few weeks now....We were spot on - needed to average 8:46 m/m for the race, and we were right in there. At mile 18 he told me he could make it to 20. Um, ok, I feel good, think I can do it. Well, mile 22 was a 9:07. Realized I needed to pick it up...the whole race I could feel some pain in the knees, but just put it out of my head as it was nagging, not awful...well, as I tried to pick it up, I fell apart. My IT band was tightening up on the right side, my patella killing me on the left. I was cramping - took some electrolytes - and also my stomach was cramping (later to learn it was the flu starting)...I tried to hang on, but saw my BQ slip away. Thought I could break 4 hours, but I just couldn't run :( Walked in, with about 20 steps of running when I could. Ran the last couple tenths through the chute. Saw my coach's wife and cried. I was soooo disappointed as I was soooooo close!!!

Not sure?!!?? Not rely on someone so much. My pacer did great keeping me in check, but it was a blow to have him leave me all alone at mile 20. Some other things I had no control over happened as well....I got my monthly bill that morning complete with cramps...and was working on getting a killer stomach flu. I gave it all I had so I am disappointed in the results, but not in how I did.

I cried to my coach, cried to Betsy and Gina, then found a rest room. The post race food was lame...bagels, hot dogs and fruit. I was not hungry at all. I met everyone in the grass and stretched, then we decided to leave, as there was nothing to stay for. I just wanted to go home!


Stuff mentioned above. Also, I was covered in salt....it was not uber hot or even sunny, but the humidity was high. I need to be diligent with the electrolytes - take them before the race and during.


The race itself was great. Lovely course. Crowds were out, especially on the half course. It got a little lonely on the 2nd part, but I was in a zone and not sure I would have noticed much. Rumor has it the post race activities are usually much better with good food.