This was my first event past 26.2 of which I'd done 10 with a 2:54 pr just 2 months prior. I ran a 20, 23,25 and 32 in training. I did 19 miles of beach running prior to race. I checked the maiden event results from last year and really thought I had a chance to win. The guy who won last year was back this year. The goal was to start out at 7:50-8 per pace and see how long I could hold it. Primary goal was to break 7 hours with sub 8 being b goal and finishing c goal.
I had a nathan handheld packed full of gels and a nathan belt with 2 flasks and many gels. The plan was to take gels every 40 minutes or as needed as the race progressed.
I was following the previous years winner's footprints in the sand from the minute we started.
One real cool thing to note about the start-I really like races that start on time and with this being a military oriented event it did. It was to start at 5 am. When I plugged my garmin in my computer, it started at 5:00:02. AWESOME.
We started at 5 under the absolutely breathtaking moonlight with a slight tailwind right down on the shoreline of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. I ran mostly by myself for the first few miles following the leaders prints. The sand was mainly hard packed on the way out. There were supposed to be several river crossings during the first 30 miles, so I didn't stress over keeping my feet dry. If they got wet, they just got wet, I just wanted to make sure I stayed on firm sand if I could. This was probably a tactical mistake. I should have tried to avoid the water and sand as much as possible. The river crossings weren't that bad.I stopped at the 5 mile station to refill, forgetting that there was one at mile 10 another tactical mistake.

At mile 14 I met the leader who was at mile 16! Oh well, barring a collapse by him, I needed to run for 2nd.
I changed shoes and socks at mile 15. I left the 15 mile station right a 2 hours-8 min/mile-right on track!!

This is where things started to change. We were headed west for the next 25 miles. Mother nature decided to drop a 20-30mph wind out of the west. It was brutal It slowed me to a walk several times. I began questioning being able to finish. I knew sub 7 hrs wasn't happening. It was here I knew I had underestimated the toll the sand was taking on my muscles. The hard packed sand was nowhere to be found. It was either squishy or sticky or fluffy for the next 35 miles. I slogged my way to the 30 mile station. It was cool meeting the other runners on their way out as I was coming in.
I changed shoes at mile 30. I had been executing my nutrition/hydration plan to perfection through mile 30. After that, I quit thinking clearly and it seemed like I was constantly taking a gel or drinking something. It had warmed to 60 or so with 100% humidity and sunny. I resolved to keep my feet as dry as possible the last 20 miles. My family was waiting on me outside our place at mile 32. I was supposed to be there by 9. It was more like 9:20. It was great to see them. Kissed my wife and headed on into that cursed wind. It was restless.
I finally made it the mile 38 station. The Back Porch restaurant. They let me use a storage shed for bathroom,so I didn't have to climb the stairs!! Thanks so much!! They also asked my name and cheered for me as I came back through. I ditched my handheld and knew I only had 2 more miles of that terrible wind! I saw the leader at about mile 38 and asked how the tailwind felt-he said, AWESOME.
Finally turned around at mile 40 and it did feel awesome!! The last 10 miles was great! I met the third place runner about 4 miles behind me, so I felt good about a 2nd place finish. Saw the Run Bum on the way back in. He was filming his run. He assured me that I wasn't catching the leader!!
I finally smiled to myself aboout mile 46, knowing that I would finish strong and feeling proud of my accomplishment.
Came across the finish line in 7:42. Hugged my family, took some photos.

Keep feet dry.
Plan aid station stops better.

Sat down, took my shoes off, dumped out the sand. Found a huge blood blister on one toe. One ankle was scuffed from where I was kicking it with my opposite shoe which was covered in sand.


Training on sand.


This is one of the best races I've ever participated in. The organization was flawless. The RD is very informative. The cause is outstanding. I will be constantly thinking of ways to improve for next year and will be recruiting people to come race it.

www.destin50.com