I started out at the pace I had set for myself and stayed with it for the first 6 miles or so. Then I picked up the pace (a little) for the next four miles and tried to get into a steady stride/pace. I felt good at this point and I had no worries. By the time mile 13 came I was feeling nauseous and my legs and feet were already hurting. I knew this was going to be tough from this point on. On my training runs (particularly the 18 or 21 mile runs) I didn't really start to feel bad until mile 18. I wasn't expecting to feel tired/sore/pain until much later in the race. I found the big orange sign with my goal pace on it and vowed to stay with him for the next few miles and then I would go faster. At mile 16 I was so annoyed with my insoles I stopped and took them out-left them on the side of the road. this is where I lost my 3 mins to meet my goal and I lost the sign. So anyways I kept counting down the miles one by one and it seemed like they got farther and farther apart. I kept debating wether to get a drink or even gu because everytime I did I felt sick afterwards-even with water. Except I was so thirsty I couldn't pass up a drink. Eventually mile 21 came and then 22...so I just thought to myself left right left right.

This is all in hind sight...

Not eat chocolate the week before the race. I never eat chocolate and I had what I would consider a lot.
Maybe not drink as much alcohol 2 nights before the race.
Respect the mileage more-I thought since I did 21 without much pain surely I could do 26. I thought those people telling me how the race would be different and there would be times when you would want to quit were full of it. I thought to myself what's 5 more miles. ha
Run faster.

walked back to hotel, but it wasn't warm.


i did.


This is by far the best and hardest thing I have ever done and I hope to have many more challenges ahead. I'm glad I could share this experience with great people who have now become more to me than running buddies-they are true friends.