I started out with a great run. The goal was to hit 3:30. By the 1/2 way point, I was on track to do so with a few minutes to spare, which I knew I would need for the uphill section and the rollers. I was still on track for 3:30 by mile 21, when I started to slow just a bit due to some stomach and back cramping.

I was still able to push through to mile 23 averaging 8:30's when all of the sudden I felt intense chest pain that radiated out through my left shoulder. I was feeling extremely dehydrated at this point and wondered if it was related (blood thickening?). I didn't want to mess with chest pain, so I immediately stopped. I walked for a few minutes and drank 3 cups of powerade at the next aid station, then tried to run at a 9:30 pace once the pain left. It immediately came back. I basically had to either walk or very slow jog from 23 to 25 until I was able to pick up the run for the last mile again. The chest pain didn't come back for the last mile or rest of the race, fortunately.

While I feel good that I at least held on to finish the race, I am quite disappointed about the scary experience. In past marathons, I feel like I've been limited by my general fitness (usually legs just feeling dead at the end). My legs felt like they could have carried me the last 3 miles at a sub-8 pace to finish 15 mins or so faster than I did.

I'm afraid that part of the problem is that I switched from the eGel that I was training with to the GU that they handed out on the course. GU has almost no electrolytes and caffeine. Both could have contributed to the hydration problems. Next time, I'll train with what I run with.

Also, I'll wear shoes with more support, instead of my tri racing shoes. They did get a bit uncomfortable by the end of the race.

I sat on the grass and drank cup after cup of Powerade until I felt better. I then spent some time walking and chasing the children around.


Chest pain. Dehydration.


Overall, I feel good about the effort. I am a bit disappointed about the time, particularly because I feel like what happened could not have been prepared for in any way. After spending months training, it's hard to accept the 15 or so minutes that I feel were out of my control. I had a good shot at medaling, but was roughly 3 minutes out of 3rd. The funny thing is that I actually crossed the 1/2 way point about 5 mins before any of the 1/2 marathon clydes finished.