Note: Placing incules DNFs and DNSs. It appears that there were 900 finishers. Don't know about age group.

Started out well. Mile 1 went down in 7:20 and I realized that was off of my desired pace, so I picked it up and came through mile 2 at 13:45. Woah...too fast. Held right at 6:55-7:00 all the way through mile 15, when I slowed a bit to about 7:10. Slowed due to a change of stride. Before that, i was pacing off of someone and was very comfortable. Came through 11 miles comfortably at 1:15 something.

I had anticipated that suffering would start, but I didn't know how soon.

Then, at mile 19, the suffer started. I couldn't keep a good pace going. Came through mile 19 at 2:16:03, still a good pace. Those last 7 miles took forever. I walked a few times. Powered through to mile 25, when I decided it was gut chuck time and toughed it out to the end.

Looking back on it, my problem was nutrition. I didn't drink enough and I didn't eat enough. My stomach was upset for most of the 2nd half of the run when I needed food the most, so I took no solid food in during this time. That was the death of me. I think I could have done much better if I had been able to get nutrition down.

This has been a consistent problem for me and why I haven't had much success in longer races. I need to focus on nutrition and try to get the going well. The thing is this: what I do in training works there, but I can't seem to make it click during a race. I need to get that under control.

I also didn't respect the distance. Coming into it, my goal was to go under 3:10 which, according to a HM time at the end of March and McMillan, shouldn't have been much of a problem. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around 26.2 miles. Now that I get how long it is, I can adapt my training better for the next one.

All errors and disappointments aside, for a first marathon, this is a decent time. I'm content with it. I know that I can do better though. So even though at mile 24, I promised myself I would never do a marathon again, I think I'll break that promise.

1. Get my nutrition program together. GEEZ!
2. More training at race pace.
3. For long runs, focus on running the last 5 miles fast to get used to running tired.
4. Get my nutrition program together.

Staggered around for a bit. Leaned on the fence until my dad came to help me through. Pounded out 5 cups of Gatorade and 2 bottles of water. I was REALLY dehydrated. Got my food, bag, and started the long walk back to the car. Stretched when I got home and took a hot shower.


Not eating enough.


I'd do it again. And maybe will! We'll see.

Loved the cheese theme: I'm on a mission from gouda.