Goal was to run as many sub 10' miles as possible. I figured twenty 10 minute miles and six 12 minute miles would equal 4:30 for the day. I carried my water bottle, 4 salt stick caps, and 6 gels. Planned gels at miles 3, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, & 24 if needed and salt at miles 8, 16, & 22 if needed.

Started with Pat and we started at what felt like a decent pace. GPS had a little difficulty in the city and with the overpasses, but just went with feel for awhile. By mile 2 I noticed I was sweating pretty heavily already and reminded myself to drink. It just wasn't as cold as I thought it would be. Started thinking I should have worn the removable arm warmers instead.

Just cruised along, took a gel at miles 3 and 6. Took salt at mile 8. Legs and lungs felt good. At mile 10 I stopped to refill my water bottle and cruised along to mile 15, but the effort was a little higher due to running what seemed like a long incline.

Approaching mile 15, my breathing increased and I figured I better regain control before the wheels fell off. I told Pat I was going to take one of my 12 minute miles. He was feeling good, so I told him to continue on. I walked about .10 and felt some twinges of cramps in my calves and especially in my upper quads/groin. This is when I noticed how salty I was. My black base layer was streaked and I could feel the salt on my face. Really? I come to a marathon in November and still going to have salt/sweat issues? I quickly too 2 of the 3 remaining salt caps I had left and jogged on.

Miles 16 and 17 were decent and sub 11 minutes with some walking mixed in.

Mile 18 I walked a little more trying to recover. My breathing and HR would increase with jogging. I hit the water pretty good and took some Gatorade at an aid station. Thought about finding some scissors (medical) and cutting the sleeves off my shirt, but there were still some windy parts of the course that made things chilly. Was already soaked, so wind chill worried me.

Mile 19 was a rally mile and I jogged most of it and made it sub 11 minutes.

My HR increased and the cramps came back, so I walked good amounts of miles 20, 21, and 22. I took my last salt cap, some Gatorade, and tried to eat a shot block (was cold and very chewy). I text Ed about mile 21 and told him I was cramping, but moving. Said sub 5 hours was in sight. He gave me the perfect reply "Shut Up & Run"

Rallied for mile 23 and got it under 11 minutes

Miles 24 and 25 were painful and I split them jog/walk.

Had thoughts of 4:45, but legs were not there. Gave it what I had (into a tough headwind for awhile) and finished it up.

Lose weight. Has to happen.
Run more. Always
Opt for the removable arm warmers instead of base layer top

My best standalone marathon time was 6:04 and my best Ironman marathon time was 6:16, so 4:46 is a huge PR for me.

I am happy that I was able to make some decisions later in the race to half way keep the wheels on. In the past, once the wheels came off, they've stayed off and everything just goes downhill. This race, I was able to gather them, recover, and even "rally" at times.

Walked to hotel, got changed, and headed home


Bad decisions, both nutritionally during training and apparel for race morning.


Great race! Especially for the price.