Having the Marathon and Half Marathon leaving an hour apart really reduced the mob from last year. It was still packed but not nearly as bad as it was last year. Around mile 2 I caught up with the 3:30 pace group. I don't remember the pacers name, but he seemed to be quite helpful. He was talking with those around him letting them know the pace, how they should feel, the forecast of pace, so on and so forth. Santa even seemed to be taking the advice.
I left the group behind me soon after mile 2. Around mile 3 I started hearing people wishing Santa a good race. Kids lightened up when they seen Santa. I was happy so long as Santa stayed behind me!! Strange thing happened here. I heard someone call my name. I whipped around to scan the crowd expecting to see my daughter, but no one I knew.
Around mile 5 my number bib ripped off (they ought to use a strong tear resistant paper). I had to slow a bit and re-attache the number - running all the time, but slower. It was during this time that Santa finally passed me. I informed Santa that I was hoping he would stay behind me, but since he was there I wanted to personally tell him that I would really like to have a Garmin 305 for Christmas. He smiled and continue putting distance between him and I. Again I hear my name. Still can't figure out who is calling for me. We approached the water station and I decided to attempt the cup drinking thing. I then recalled doughboy's comment about drinking while running "its like throwing a cup of water at your face with you mouth opening and hoping some gets into the hole". Of course this made me chuckle, just ast the water made the hole. I spent the next 3 minutes coughing and laughing. Thanks Steve.
The clock showed 49 minutes at the 10K mark. It was right after that that I came upon a girl that was decked out with scarf, knitted hat, gloves, sweater, and tights. I asked if she was warm enough. She had commented that she JUST started. It took me a minute to realize that she meant that she was in the relay and had just started around the 10K mark. We chatted for a bit until we came up on group of screaming high school girls, blocking most of the road. It was not until I was upon it that I realized it was a water station. I just wanted to get through it. Somehow along the way I lost my short time companion.
It was not long after the screaming girls that I heard my name called yet again. I then realized that it was because I had my name printed on my bib in big bold letter. OH!!!!
Half way point was 1:43. I was doing great! Quick double and I was well below my 3:30 goal. It was right after that point that the course opened up to the full effects of the wind blowing across white rock lake. It was also at this point that I realized that I have almost completely forgotten about keeping up on my nutrient plan. Sure I had taken a few sips now and then, but nothing like I ought to be doing. I have not even touched the first bottle of my fuel belt.
Mile 14 I passed poor Santa. Young guy was feeling the effects of the suit by this point. Mile 15 I made a quick stop to pee. Mile 17 or 18 we got our pictures taken - while the 3:30 pack finally caught up with me, passed me, and ran off into the distance. The pacer though continued to give advice and how best to pose for the pictures. At this point I was just trying to figure out how best to stay alive for the last 8 miles. It was about this point I remembered to take a gel; hoping it will snap me out of my funk.
Finished the lap around the lake and turned to head back to the city. Seen the sign for the Hooters water station. This sort of provided a little anticipatory excitement. Hooter girls manning water stations. This ought to be interesting. Right? Wrong!!! The girls were covered from neck to feet in some of the baggiest sweats I have ever seen. Oh well. I continued my daunting trek. I knew the "dolly parton" hills were coming soon.
I heard my name again, but ignored it. It was not until I heard "MarkQuiet" and "BT" that I realised it was someone I knew. I turned and waved to the guy and girl calling to me, but I had know idea who they were, but happy to know they knew me and was cheering me on. Thanks jcagg0.
Finally found the "dolly parton hills". I took another gel, but I think it was too little too late. For the mile or two of the uphill climb it was all I could do to truck along. I don't recall much of those miles other then I wish that we would get to the top. I also started taking inventory of other runners injuries. Like the one poor guys I passed with bleeding ankles. I know that was going to hurt later.
Somewhere around mile 22 or so the half mary runners merged with us. With the hour offset between race start the runners merging on with us was about the pack running 9:30mm or slower. The marathoners were all running 8 to 8:30mm. This caused us (the marathoners) to start dodging and skipping people once again. Though it added a little mental wakeup for me it still got a little nerve racking. After running for 22miles I was not really in the mood to do some evasive manuevering to avoid walkers. But I did keep in mind that everyone of these people are out here giving it their all. That put me into a great mindset that I can give it my all too.
I picked up the pace for the last three miles. By this point I have just about given up on the gel thing. I was moving totally on determination. At one point the GPS showed something like a 5:45 minute mile split. It was after that I ignored the Garmin.
One last turn and there was home stretch to the finish line. It was then I realized that it was the same as the starting line. I sure hoped my crew would have realized this and was waiting at the right spot. I picked up the pace a little more, but knew I was already over the 3:30 goal. I just wanted to finish. I was not going to worry about those few people that wanted to sprint to the line. Let them go. I finished and I was not too far off my 3:30 goal.

My run in all was technically pretty good. I actually ran the whole distance except for the pee break. What I could have done better was execute my nutrient plan. I had it planned out, but just did not execute it. I am sure I would have done much better in the 15 - 22 mile range had I executed correctly.

Squeezed my way out of the finishers area. OMG!! They had both marathoners AND half runners exiting through the same small gate. Not to mention they had pictures going on, finishers medals, finishers shirts, space blankets, and chip collection going on all at the same time. Then exiting everyone out the same chute. One the other side of the exit were all the jockstrappers waiting for their runners to come out. What a freaking mess. I am so glad I told my daughter that if we get separated to just head over to the south entrace of the Airlines Center and we would meet up there. She is such a good girl.


Again, follow the nutrient plan as perscribed!!! When running you think you can strectch things a little further. It all catches up with you at the tail end of the race. Also, I am not sure how much NOT having my music with me impeeded my performance, but there was a few time I wish I had it.


I liked the idea of having the staggaring start; however the stagger should be slightly longer so that when the half mary meets up with the mary runners everyone is running close to the same pace.
The finishing area was a mad house and could have been better organized.
It would have been helpful to have more going on during that 14 - 18 mile stretch. That is a bear when runnig a marathon, and having little distractions make it that much harder.