I lined up around the 11-12 minute mile pace. I ideally wanted to be faster but was being realistic too. Since I was pretty sick the week before and still coughing up a lung, I didn't think my goal of 2:20 was going to be attainable. So, I just thought I'd shoot for having a good time. The gun goes off and it takes forever to cross the timing mats.

The first few miles of a race are always a struggle just to get through all the people who don't line up properly or the people that just abruptly start walking. Part of the fun I suppose yikes, those first few miles were CROWDED! I had decided to leave my Garmin at home so I was just running along in solitude (no ipod) and enjoying the day. As worried as I was about the weather, it was close to perfect out there. The scenery was really pretty too. We came upon mile 3 and I took my first GU. My plan was GU at 3,6,9,12. I brought my water bottle too so I could blow through the aide stations. Worked like a charm! Running along the shore was fabulous. I picked out my summer house and enjoyed the views. I was feeling pretty good until around mile 7 or 8 and that is when it started to feel like someone was sitting on my chest. I just couldn't seem to get enough air. I thought about walking and using my inhaler but I didn't want my pace to drop off. Stupid I know but oh well. I sucked it up and kept running. About that time I saw BTer Scott run by. I caught up to him and we ran together for a bit. That helped me out a ton! After we parted ways, I got my second wind. I took my third GU and came upon mile 10. I told myself to HTFU and pick it up for the last 5k. I did and passed a TON of people. I felt the best I had all day. Came up on the last hill and sprinted to the finish. Felt good to be done! I checked my watch and came in at 2:23:35.

I am disappointed that I missed 2:20 but felt that I ran the best I could on that day.

Wear my Garmin. I think if I had it on, I would have made 2:20 but I might have lost a lung. Fair trade, no? Still a PR by around 6 minutes. I'll take it!

Walked around for a little bit and headed back to the hotel to shower.


My crappy lungs. I just couldn't as much air as I would have liked.