I started towards the front of the pack, maybe 50 yards from the start line. I really didn't realize I was that close to the start line. Being this close caused me to bolt and run the first 3 miles too fast but after that I settled in to about a 9'/mile pace. This is where I wanted to stay.

At about mile 4 or so I heard my name and recognized the voices. It was John (jcagg90), Laurie (tri it cajun style) and Aaron (jeepfleeb) (I think he was there). It's always great seeing/hearing friends on the course. I had already passed them when I heard my name so I spun around and tried to wave.

Continued running, running. At mile 6 had to pee. Continued running and running. Didn't really have a plan. Just planned to run with my HR in z2-3 and about a 9'/mile pace. That should get me a sub 4 hour time. The spectators on the course were great. Lots of marathon watching parties going on. Saw lots of bands plying music.

I was feeling good up until about mile 13. The middle of a marathon is the hardest for me. Miles 13 to about 19. Lots of negative thoughts creeping in, "My last marathon". "Tris are so much more fun. I'm not doing any more marathons". At about mile 14 I took an Aleve. Peed at mile 15. Tried really hard to think positive thoughts. "This is training for your next IM".

My goal was to go sub 4 hours. After running 4:08 at IMFL I thought a sub-4 hour marathon should be a piece of cake. I was very wrong.

At mile 19 I saw John and Laurie again. High-fived them. Seeing them was a boost. I decided to pick up the pace. At mile 20 I started calculating my finish time. By mile 21 it was aparent I wouldn't/couldn't go sub-4. So, new goal. At least beat my IMFL marathon time of 4:08.

I finished strong. The last 6 miles (just like last year) I was cruising and passing lots of people. I hooked onto a guy running slightly faster than me and let him pace me 2 miles into the finish.

Have a race plan. I'm not sure why I didn't even think about a race plan.

Walked around looking for Michele. The organizers really need to change up the finish area. It's so crowded and chaotic. It took me 40 minutes to find her even though I saw her through the fence ast I crossed the finish line.


Not sure. Maybe not recovered from IMFL. Maybe not a good peak and taper.


This is a good race with lots of community participation and spectator participation.