Tried to stay with 4 hr pace group. Felt that heartrate was high from get go but tried to stay positive & told myself that I could force my body to do anything I wanted it to. Hahaha. Pretty much stayed with pace and felt good thru mile 16. From 16-18 I started to fall off a bit, but not so much that I wouldn't be easily able to catch up. Then after 18 my pace went to hell. I saw Tom at mile 11 which was totally awesome! (Thanks Tom!) Paul cheerd me on at 22 & 24. I ate a salt packet at mile 22 or 23. Last 8 miles were hell. But I sprinted all out at 26 to end and although I got slow, I never cramped up which was a great accomplishment.

Well, seeing that I never really kept with a 4-hour-marathon pace even for my long runs (which never went more than 18 miles), it was probably not the smartest to try to hang with them. However, another friend of mine told me that b/c of my training, I probably would have fallen off after 18 miles (after my training milage stopped) even if I had started the race at a slower pace--so at least I had a faster overall race since I did the first 16-18 miles faster. If that makes any sense. But yeah, IF I ever do one of these things again, I think I need to have some longer runs in. I would also not do a crazy hike the Sunday before the race.

Oh dear God, as soon as I crossed the finish line, my walking was so so so so so very slow......... It took me probably a good 1/2 hour to make it through the chip-return, food/goodie/blanket give-out area, etc. I was just so tired, I could't even walk--weird... I guess that's what people who REALLY hit the wall on mile 22 feel like.... where you literally feel like you can't move..... at least I didn't feel that bad DURING the race! But yeah, I was pretty miserable for about an hour after. Then I got better.


Well, I've done it. I'm a marathoner.... don't love it, don't hate it. Might do another one, but I'm not Jonesing for it.... yet! :)