Pre-race: Got to the bus pick-up area at 6:30. Finally boarded bus at 6:55. The start was delayed about 10 minutes, so I just managed to get to the start area and seed myself appropriately when the gun went off.

Start to mile 3: Tried to keep wip with the 2:30 pace bunnies, but they got away from me.

Mile 4: Getting really tired of slapping mosquitos.

Mile 5: Managed to get some mosquito spray. A big thank you to the voluteers at the mile 5 water station. The run got a lot better after that.

Mile 6: Was happy to see the mile 6 marker as it meant I was almost 1/2 done. Ate my fruitsource bar to celebrate the 1/2 way mark.

Mile 7: Thanks for the beer on Kingston Row! Made the next while seem easier.

Mile 8: Rather uneventful. Trying to calculate my pace, figured I wasn't going to make 2:30, but would be happy with a time under 3:00.

Mile 9: Picked up a running partner just after the water station. Made the last 4 miles a little easier.

Mile 10: Woohoo! Only a 5k left to go.

Mile 11: A lot of spectators out cheering. First of the full marathoners
pass us. Only a couple more will pass us.

Mile 12: Walked the whole "uphill" part of the Bishop Grandin bridge.

Mile 13: Is University Cresent always this long? Try to conserve a little energy for the finish. Really hurting at this point.

Finish: Managed to pick it up a little for the finish on the track.

Train more. Hadn't run since May 31 and had only done 2 long runs over 10 miles.

wandering around, trying to find the people meeting me at the end.


Lack of training and extreme heat and humidity.


First 1/2 marathon of many!