Started off nice and slow to get warmed up. Didn't go out too hard, tried to save some for the long day ahead. Ran with, or close to, Justin. Saw Mom and Dad about 4 miles in. Tossed them my long sleeve shirt. Saw the girls a little later. Started off taking water and gatorade at every aid station. Took a HammerGel every 4-6 miles. Got seperated from Justin for awhile once we were on the bike trail. Made it off the trail and up the hill no problem. Was still trying to hold a fairly comfortable pace.

At the halfway point saw Kim and Deena again. Continued taking gatorady and water at all the aid stations. Justin caught back up to me around mile 15 or 16. Shortly after we took a walk break, we were both hurting a little and walked an aid station to get a good drink. Continued running with Justin the rest of the way. We did a run/walk the rest of the way in. After about mile 17 my legs felt heavy and tired. Gels and gatorade seemed to give me a short lived boost of energy. I think the best thing I had on the course was a big handful of jelly beans at a make shift aid station. Running got a little easier once the stadium was in sight. Took one last walk break then hammered it out to the finish. Got to cross the line with Justin which was cool.

Train more. I didn't have the long run training in that I should have.

Walked to the food/water line. Got some cookies, chips, and a gatorade. Got a post race massage which was awesome.


Lack of training.


The race didn't turn out quite the way I hoped. I was hoping to finish in under 4 hours and feel better throughout the late stages of the race. Looking back I got what I trained for. That being said it was still a good race, I can now say I finished a marathon. Also the crowd support and support from the cheering section, (Kim, Deena, Mom, Dad, Jeff,and Kaley) was pretty awesome. It was great to run and finish the race with a good friend. I think running together helped Justin and I a ton. Learned a lot and got a good gage of my fitness.