Went out to fast and paid for it later. Was feeling great on the single track and enjoyed conversation with fellow runners through the turn around on Turkey Creek. At this point I really thought I was going to comfortably come in under 4 hours ... HA HA HA HA ... Umstead had other plans. Started to feel twinge in left calf coming back that began threatening cramp so slowed on the uphills then started to slow on downhills too. Started really looking forward to aid stations and tried every nutrition offered with the hope that something would turn my legs around ... nope. Super volunteers were big boost at stations, but none had extra set of legs for me. Was able to run down to Reedy Creek Lake, but the hill coming up from the creek is when the legs really began to fail and began some run-walk. Down down down down Cedar Ridge I knew coming back up was going to hurt ... and it did. More run-walk. Tried to run up Cemetery Hill and left leg fully seized up ... almost sending me to the ground. Walked up the rest of the hill and run-walked it in to the finish. Held back tears when I saw my family waiting for me about 20 yrds from finish???!!! Was so glad to be done.

Next year ... start slow and stay steady. Figure out nutrition.

Hobble to car.


First marathon. Fantastic venue. Wonderful enthusiastic volunteers. Challenging course.