I had a pretty decent 18 mile run followed by a brisk 8 mile walk.

I planned on walking the aid stations, which was good as there wasn't much choice given the number of people on the course. There were plenty of people manning the stations (and I do wonder where they find that many 2Lt's). I wore my fuel belt and had the bottles refilled as needed on the course. I also had a bottle of Hammer gel that I used for nutrition - plus a brownie that my friends were nice enough to hand me at mile six or so (I'm sure it was from the church bake sale. I haven't asked if I'm expected to pay for it)

Things went really well until about mile 14 or so. At that point I stopped for a bathroom break (this told me I was doing quite well on the hydration side of things and gave me a chance to stretch). Then I ran into a Gunny who I attended AIT with - I stopped long enough to pull out my cell phone and program in his number (it's been 12 years since AIT, what are the odds)

I managed to pick up with running better than I thought I might after those breaks and was going quite well until just past mile 18. At that point, I started with a productive cough that was annoying. As I continued on, so the the cough making running and breathing at the same time difficult. At that point, I started walking and walked though mile 19 hopping my cough would subside. It didn't and my throat started to get sore making drinking uncomfortable. I tried to run for a bit after that because my muscles weren't feeling all that bad - I'm not sure if I could have kept up my pace or not, so I'll persist in the belief that I would have had breathing been easier.

I intended to run at least the last mile, but by that time my muscles were tired and I hadn't kept up with hydration since it hurt to drink, so I walked across the finish line.


Given all the variables, I think I managed things quite well.

I forced down a couple of bottle of water and juice and walked about the post race venue debating on the best way to get home. The line for the shuttle was shorter than for the Metro, so I took it. It put me eleven blocks from my apartment, so I just walked home instead of waiting on the bus. I stretched out, took a shower, rested for an hour and then rode my bike to church (at this point, I was wishing I was either less committed or had a car).


URI