A big part of the story lies in my splits:
Mile: 1 6:14, Mile 2: 6:24, Mile 3: 6:18, Mile 4: 6:08, Mile 5: 6:27, Mile 6: 6:25, Mile 7: 6:21, Mile 8: 6:27, Mile 9: 6:25, Mile 10: 6:15, Mile 11: 6:16, Mile 12: 6:23, Mile 13: 6:25, Mile 14: 6:22, mile 15: 6:34, Mile 16: 6:23, Mile 17: 6:29, Mile 18: 6:44, Mile 19: 6:34, Mile 20: 6:47, Mile 21: 6:49, Mile 22: 6:52, Mile 23: 7:00, Mile 24: 7:16, Mile 25: 7:42, Mile 26: 7:51, and the last .2: 1:38

2 years ago I ran this course and I ran a 6:00 minute mile 25 and a 5:45 mile 26. This was such a turnaround and even though it was windy, it was the same course. 2 years ago, I went out really slow and had a negative split by 5 minutes. That is how you run a marathon! Not like this year:

First half: 1:23:08
Second Half: 1:30:30

That is an ugly race.

I am happy with my time because it was a personal best by nearly a minute and half... but I hope I learned a lesson or two about what not to do in a marathon. I did not enjoy being passed like I was walking on those last few miles... It really hurt physically and emotionally.


Start out slower.

Changed into warm clothes... ate some food... waited for a friend who was trying to qualify for Boston (and did by two minutes).


Being sick didn't help... the wind was limiting and my stupidity. I got carried away and went out too fast.


This is a great race and a great course. I've run 11 marathons over the last 4 years and this one is one of the Best... Lots of support and a very nice course.

I ran hard I and even though I blew up at mile 23, I am proud of myself for not walking. I really wanted to walk... A lot of very gifted runners were walking at this point (victim of the same aggressive start)and I willed myself to keep going. I was a bit disappointed by not reaching my goal, but at least I salvaged the day and still ran a PB.