Prior to race, I was lined up with the 8:00 starting post. There were no pace groups for this race and that kind of blew my whole scheme of having someone pace me for a 3:40:00 result. Race started and I took off. I had been having some issues with my hips and legs for the past 3 weeks (post-Chickmauga marathon), but I knew that everything would hold up enough to get me through this race. It just depended on how fast I could run on them. I look down at watch at first mile and see 7:30ish. Oops - I'm suppose to be holding around a 8:23 for each mile. So I try to tell myself to slow down. It works a little bit, but the flat course and the excitement kept me at a PR 10k for my first 6 miles.

During this first portion, I was actually really enjoying myself, but almost knew that a BQ time wasn't happening today. For some reason, I felt really warm and couldn't get my temperature to go down. Also, I realized that I wasn't pacing myself for a marathon. I was doing more of a half-marathon pace. At mile 5 - 7, there is a out and back and so i got to see the leaders (for the 1st time). Also, on the way back, you get to see all of the people behind you. It makes you realize that even though you might not be having your best race - that there are still TONS more people out there with you going through the same thing. I gooed for the first time around mile 7.5.

Miles 7 - 13.1 were on the back part of the course to the start/finish line. One of the great things about this marathon is that they sponser Wacky Water Stations for each mile of the race (I KNOW - a water station every mile seems like a lot, but it IS hot down there). They offer cash prizes and so the volunteers go all out. My favorite station was at mile 8.7. They did a luai/hula theme and handed out lais at the station. They also took the time to put up signs for the mile previous to their station. Really cute, funny nursery rhymes...something about a man from nantucket. :)

Mile 13.1 - The half marathoners go through the left chute to finish. Fullers continue to the right. You mean I have to do another one of these?!? The only thing that kept me from finishing as a half-marathoner was the thought that I didn't pay to go all the way down to West Palm to run a half marathon.

Miles 14 - 21 were out the other side of the intercoastal and then veered back into some neighborhoods heading north. Really I don't remember much about this section of the race. I seriously must have zoned out or something. I do know that I gooed for the second time at mile 15 where a bunch of high school kids in superhero outfits were working a water station. I also remembered thinking about the people who came out of their houses to watch on their front lawns. I guess I just thought it was kind of strange that we were running down this neighborhood road. I mean - it's such a huge, big accomplishment and these people were just like "oh - let's go watch the runners. Crazy fools." At least that's what I imagined they were thinking. Mile 18 took us up to the top of the Sky Pass Bridge (the only hill on the course) and then turned us around and took us back down. Miles 20 and 21 were back towards the start/finish line going south along the intercoastal.

Around mile 20, I started running with these 2 guys that were gallowaying. By this point, I had dropped down to around 10 minute miles and knew that I was on pace to finish in or around 4 hours - a time that I was certainly pleased with even if it wasn't my main goal. They were doing 1/2 mile runs with 30 seconds walk breaks. I was able to talk to them for a few miles until they dropped back - last I saw, one of the guys was on his cell phone. (?)

By mile 21, I was burning up! It had gotten up to around 80 degrees by this point and I could feel my skin starting to take on the sun. I decided that my shirt was no longer necessary and dropped it off at the start/finish line when we crossed it again.

The last 5 miles of the race were like the last 5 miles of every marathon I've run. I just want to get to the finish line! By this point, I was happy with 10 minute miles and was able to keep going just knowing that if I stopped to walk, then I probably wouldn't start up again. It was so great to see finish line coming up and knowing that I actually got to finish and be done with it. I crossed in 4:00:18. A satisfactory time for what I considered a hard run.

Pace myself, pace myself, pace myself! I guess I need to learn this pacing stuff.

Also - I might not drink as much as I did out on the course. I really did take at least a sip of water at every station. I was really fearful of dehydrating and cramping up. Instead, I just ended up with a belly full of fluids.

Got medal and chip removed. Picked up bag from baggage check and let friends know how I'd done. Got a massage and then hung around the post race area to relax out in the sun and drink my diet pepsi.

Actually ended up walking back the 1.5 miles to my hotel because I couldn't find a cab.


External factors - the heat. I haven't trained in weather like that since July or August and even then I usually run earlier to avoid the heat.

Training - I had missed some opportunities to do interval/speedwork in the 3 weeks leading up to the race. Mainly due to recovery from my previous marathon and the half that was done 1.5 weeks prior. I think that track work is one fo the most important things when it comes to getting faster at running.

Training - Lack of cross-training. I mean, I had been doing weights and *some* bike work up to this race, but nothing as intensive as September and October. For upcoming race in marathon, I want to make sure that I get plenty of other sports in as well in addition to running.

Mentally - I just wasn't there. I was in a strange city by myself and I didn't know a single other person running the marathon. It was just hard to really push myself.


It seems like it would be a really fun race to do if you knew a lot of people down there doing it with you. It's a nice flat course and the weather is beautiful down there (even if a little warm for my taste for a long run). The medals and goodies were great (a tech shirt and shoe bag). I'm glad that I did this race, but I can't say that I'll be back anytime soon.

It does make number 4 for me and my 4th state!