My ultimate goal was to finish in less than 2:15, to beat Future Mrs' time from last year. My secondary goal was to run the entire way. My basic goal was to finish. My plan was to stick as close as I could to the 2 hr pacer. I knew I would fall off of that pace but wanted to stay there as long as I could. I hadn't run for about a month prior to the race due to nagging injuries and a fear of going into the race with them still bothering me.

About a mile into the race I knew I was working too hard and fell back off the 2:00 pace. I knew if I stayed in front of the 2:15 I would still be fine. I did pretty well staying around 9.10-9.45 for the first 7.5 miles but then I hit a wall. My endurance gave out and I had to start walking. I could still beat the 2:15 mark but it wasn't looking good.

I continued to walk/run for the next few miles and at mile 11 the wall hit me back. I was barely able to run more than a quarter mile without needing to walk. It felt like the water stations were nonexistant. My gummy-chews fuel was just not cutting it anymore. Then I saw the 2:15 pacer. I thought, this is it... don't let him get away. I started running again, only to crash again after a half mile with my right calf starting to cramp.

When we turned onto the boardwalk, I stopped to stretch my legs and everything started cramping. I knew if I walked again it would hurt more than running. So, I started running again.

The finish chute was great... tons of folks cheering loudly and making lots of noise. Hearing my name at the end was great. This was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I've ever done. I didn't beat Future Mrs' time but I did finish. I'm happy with that.

Not get injured and have to take off so much time.

I took 3 waters, 2 bananas and anything else the volunteers were handing out. I wanted to see Future Mrs at the halfway point of her full marathon, so I hobbled on over for that. Sitting on the curb, leaning against a pole, I ate my bananas and drank the water. After a half hour I stated feeling better.

I walked down and met up with Future Mrs and ran a few blocks with her. Then I headed to the beer tent.


Not training enough due to injuries.


I could have used a couple more drink stations but it was probably fine for most everyone else. In the future, I think I'll get a fuel belt with water bottles.