Things started out OK. The first two miles or so were great, I was feeling loose and happy. It was really warm, really humid. Our first turn into Lawrencville, the skies opened up. It actually felt good because we were all so close, but I was worried about what wet shoes/socks would do to my feet. Crossed over into the North Side and I still felt good. I was feeling like it was a little hard to breathe, and then it hit me....holy carp I forgot my inhaler! OK, ok, don't panic, just take it easy. Crossed over 8th and 7th st bridges and decided to take a bathroom break at the Casino. Crossed over the West End bridge where I saw my parents cheering me on, which was so so so good for me. I put my headphones in at the bottom of the bridge because it was getting a bit dire. It was still raining. Got down into South Side, and the half marathoners split off from the marathoners, and it got really lonely. Came across the Birmingham bridge, about mile 12 now, and it was getting hard to breathe (heat+humidity+exercise). I also thought my diabetes was going to go. On the climb up into Oakland, the 5 hr marathon pacer passed me.

That's it. My race for a PR is gone. Way gone. I stopped at the med tent to check my blood and it was fine. Shuffled my way through Oakland and felt ok still, but my feet were getting painful. Mile 15 was tough, my stomach began to rebel against sweets and water. Mile 16-18 were tougher, my feet were beginning to blister, badly. It was both the toes and the balls of my feet. I still couldn't breathe. And then my hip flexor began to tense up and hurt, so I had to keep stopping and stretching. I resigned and had to shuffle and walk, shuffle and walk.

Not finishing was not an option. I was going to slog it out no matter what. I spent a year in physical therapy to get to this point. I was not going to give in. I finally ran into the finish line, very happy to stop. Got my medal, had the docs take a look at my feet...you know it's bad when a sports doc goes "EEEEWWWW' when you show him your feet.

-train in the rain more
-HTFU

Saw the sports doc for my feet. Had some bagels and cookies and banana (none of which agreed with me). Stretched a bit. Walked back to Pat's office to get the car.



-Rain, definitely. The blisters made my feet hurt so bad, it was like stepping on glass every time.
-Heat.
- Forgetting my inhaler. Dumbass.


I love this race. I'm so glad it is back. Even though I had a crap time, that's my own bloody fault. The volunteers were awesome, there were plenty of aid stations, the medics were great, our shirts and medals are bad ass. It's a very hilly and challenging urban course, but very scenic.

I'm so disappointed in my time, over an hour slower than my first race, that yesterday I signed up for the Columbus Marathon to try again, and I think Pat will be joining me for his first marathon!