My big goal was a BQ time which is now under 3:40 for me, so an 8:24 overall pace. With IMWI on 9/9 and about a week off for recovery, i really only trained for 5 weeks with a 2 week taper. Relying on more overall IM fitness to get me across the finish line in a BQ time.

At mile 10 I was averaging 8:05 and feeling good. The tunnel was slightly downhill on the out portion but my headlamp was pretty useless and it was hard to see. The footing, which was normally a packed limestone path was not very good either. Lots of uneven crack/divots and some puddles in the tunnel. Kind of chewed up my feet. Still doing pretty well at the 2nd turnaround which was maybe 14.7 or so. HR had settled in at about 150.

After the turnaround you begin to realize how much uphill you are now running. I had checked the elevation but it didn't seem too drastic. Now I knew it was going to be a struggle to just outside the tunnel on the back before some downhill to finish line. My mile pace started to go up along with my HR.

My pace creeps up to 8:30 for a couple of miles then 8:45 for 3 miles. Now I'm starting to get a little worried. Goal now is to get thru the tunnel and then use the downhill to the finish line to get under 3:40. It's starting to hurt, HR is mid to upper 160s. The tunnel is tough, visibility seems worse than on the out portion and I'm passing many more people. Finally I'm out but my Garmin does not pick up the distance and calculate my pace like it did the first time. I spot a mileage marker and figure out where I'm at. Press the lap button on the Garmin to get current pace feedback. Have to still go uphill a little bit but shortly we are no longer running uphill.

I'm not exactly sure how much farther I have but I know it will be kind of close to get under 3:40 and sub-3:35 is gone. I start to push it, knowing this is where I've had cramping issues in the past, the end of long races, ie marathons and HIMs. I REALLY want that BQ time. I'm working hard and it's hurting but I'm able to get to sub 8:00 pace. I know I don't have too far to go but not exactly sure of the distance. Finally I see the opening on the path for the parking lot, road and finish line. I made it...3:37:25 is my official time. My last 5k was probably a sub 8:00 pace.

This was a sneaky hard course with most of the uphill on the 2nd half of the race. More elevation than I anticipated. The tunnel may have been unique but if you're running for time was a disadvantage. This was the nearest marathon an appropriate time from from IMWI so I didn't have much choice.

Walked around, stretched, drank. Went to the care to get some warmer clothes. Pretty sore, especially the calves. Tough to change shoes. ENtry included a chicken dinner, I got mine and some. Talked to ANy and TOm again and then decided to head home. Stopped at a Culver's in Sparta.


Not really adequate training for a top marathon performance. My IMWI was bike heavy and I never went much over 30 miles a week with only a couple of 15+ mile runs with a long around 18 but that was early-mid Aug. 5 weeks with 2 20 milers and a couple of 50 mile weeks was all I could fit in. Overall pleased with my performance, glad that the 55-59 AG got a 10 minute BQ jump.


For a small town race this was well organized and well run. No issues with the race at all. I know they picked a few NYC Marathon folks on race day due to Sandy Storm and the late cancellation.