Boston Marathon Race Report

Earlier today I had the pleasure of running the 114th Boston Marathon. It was a great experience!

Having run Boston last year, and being disappointed by my inadequate preparation I incorporated significantly more hills and mileage into the preceding four months of training. My improved strength was clearly evident on Newton's hills, as I avoided last year's walk on the steepest section of Hearbreak Hill.  Additionally, in climbing hills I followed the advice by an experienced Boston-area coach who spoke at the Expo on Sunday.  He recommended that while climbing you should relax your abs, swing vigorously your arms, shorten your stride, and gaze a maximum of 15-feet ahead (i.e. however tempting, don't look-up to the top of the hill - since seeing the full height of the challenge can cause even a strongest runner to begin walking!)

The weather was a bit of a disappointment, though it was far better than it could have been! The temperature was between 52 to 56°F, with relatively clear skies and initially cross winds from the north, which unfortunately became more of a headwind as the race progressed.

I was very happy with the results as I amazingly managed to exactly tie my prior 3:19:37 personal record that I'd recently just set February in Austin! Having never tied a P.R., it was on the one hand frustrating (since even the slightest added effort along the 26.2 mile course would have given me an improvement to my personal record), but, on the other hand I was content since had I run even one second slower I would have been upset.  So, all in all I'm thankful for having done as well as I had, despite Boston's tough course, and particularly in overcoming my nagging right Achilles problem.

On reflection some things worked well while others did not. In the many areas that went well I credit my:

• Improved training , specifically the added mileage with good hills-specific training through generally following the excellent Kenyan Way training program and coaching by Sean Wade;
• Running on my Newton shoes, which I'm convinced help owing primarily to their light weight, their minimal heel, and the 'spring' action of the forefoot lug;
• Increasing my consumption of Gu's Roctane Vanilla/Orange to one packet every three vs. four miles, without bearing any adverse stomach-related side-effects. I'm convinced that the highly glycemic mixed sugars, combined with caffeine and amino acids, pay dividends in mitigating glycogen losses from the active muscles while enhancing my concentration and motivation.

Conversely, I had two distinct improvement opportunities:

• Though I generated a mymarathonpace.com pacing band beforehand, having every intent to use it, during the race I unfortunately reverted to running the course 'by feel' rather than with discipline. I inappropriately ran excessively hard during the first half marathon of the largely downhill course owing to my being overly ambitious in imagining a 4-minute P.R. potential. The adverse result of this fast downhill running was predictably felt in my quads which wouldn't permit me to step-up the pace on the excellent downhill segments running into Boston.
• Similar to my recent Houston Marathon experience I was excessively dehydrated upon completing the Boston course. This was despite drinking four or five ounces of Gatorade every two miles. Had I drunk double this amount it would have more closely matched my high sweat rate, and would have strengthened me in the late miles.

As was the case last year, the Boston Marathon spectators were hugely appreciated owing to their being unbelievably supportive and LOUD! While particularly true in the larger towns and cities along the course, and especially so at Wellesley College, I never felt unsupported along the entire course. The volunteers - of which there were literally tens of thousands - did an absolutely first-rate job, and bring huge credit to the most prestigious of marathons. I highly recommend the Boston Marathon to all serious runners!

Me crossing the finish line - exactly tying my marathon personal record!




Final results: Overall #4520/22645 (top 20%), Males #3994/13112 (top 30%), Males (50-54) #263/1868 (top 14%)

Austin Marathon Race Report!

This morning I ran the Austin Marathon, and while I found the hills HUGELY challenging versus the much easier Austin course that I'd run five years ago I neverthless narrowly managed to eke out a personal record by one-second!

When I'd last run Austin five years ago the course was both faster and easier since it started twenty-miles north of the city and finished downtown, providing a gentle downhill for much of the course and an overall net elevation decline of more than 400 feet.  Unfortunately, the growing logistical challenges of busing race participants, and dealing with the frustration caused by traffic jams on the surrounding narrow roads in the north Austin area caused race organizers to adopt the current course - which is a technically challenging looped course through most of Austin's many hills (see link).  Nevertheless, though challenging the course was both interesting and achievable.

The race began with a pyrotechnics display directly over the start line.  In downtown Austin's pre-dawn darkness the pyrotechnics were spectacular, however due to the lack of wind the resulting fumes lingered in the starting area - which we were unfortunately forced to breathe as we started our run.

Quickly getting past the starting line the weather conditions were good, as fortunately a predicted cold front with accompanying strong winds and rain held-off until just after the marathon finished.  The sky was crystal clear, and as a result the temperature quickly rose from the initial mid 30s to the mid 50s - though perceptually warmer still owing to the high humidity.

As with other recent successful recent marathons I made the decision to run with a pacing group, on today's occasion the 3:20 group since I was hoping to beat my prior personal record of 3:19:38 set on Houston's flat course one-month ago.  The two Austin 3:20 pace group leaders did a fantastic job of keeping the group organized, motivated and encouraged.  They demonstrated incredible running discipline and strength by holding an extremely consistent pace - whether running up or down hills.  As I didn't possess the strength to easily match their pace on the steepest up-hills I ran behind the group at those points (though always keeping the group in sight), then caught them on the ensuing downhill.  Even more-so than in prior marathons the pacing group was pivotal in allowing me to set my narrow personal record.  Thanks again, pacers!!

Miscellany:

• Another P.R. on my Newtons!
• Encouraged by Houston's recent success I ramped-up even further my use of Gu's Roctane (to one every three - versus every four) miles. Again, no stomach upset or digestive issues.
• Credit, again, to the Kenyan Way training program for my clearly improved personal fitness.
• I successfully used ThinkGeek.com's "spy" sunglasses with built-in digital camera and remote control shutter release (in my hand throughout the race) to capture these photos.  While the picture quality is nowhere close to that provided by a conventional one-megapixel digital camera the quality was certainly acceptable!
• Official Stats:
  Overall: 221/4039 (top 6%)
  Males: 196/2462 (top 8%)
  Division (50-54): 6/202 (top 3%)

Houston Marathon Race Report

Earlier today I had the distinct pleasure of running the 2010 Houston Marathon.  This was my fifth Houston and seventeenth overall marathon or beyond event, and was undoubtedly the best.

The weather was good, with clear skies and temperatures ranging from an ideal 43°F at the start, to a bit hot upper 50s peak.  A Houston record of more than 20,000 runners participated, with the full and half marathon events selling out in less than 3-days! 

This huge crowd gathered before the race with great enthusiasm and excitement, and celebrated afterwards at the George R. Brown Convention Center - a well appointed facility that ranks as the best such marathon hosting facility (perhaps explaining Houston's consistent draw of top global athletes).

As a key part of my race strategy I ran with the 3:20 pacing group, and absolutely credit that group for helping me achieve this goal - with a personal record time of 3:19:38!  As a consequence of running with the 3:20's my split times were extremely consistent, and I achieved a rare 38-second negative second half split!

ADDITIONAL CREDIT TO:

• My wonderful family, and especially my fantastic wife, for all their support.
• The excellent KenyanWay program coached by Sean Wade.
• Gu's Roctane Vanilla/Orange - which I love!  Encouraged by my recent PRs, I took one packet every four miles - or eight in total - with absolutely no stomach upset!  I believe that frequent Roctane consumption runs helps by minimizing losses of muscular glycogen, sodium and potassium - while maintaining concentration and focus.  NOTE: Especially in the critical area of nutrition a runner should try-out different strategies during long training runs well in advance of a race!
• My Newton running shoes - which I continue to swear by on race day!
• My iPod Nano and its highly motivating fast-beat rock playlist.

LESSONS LEARNED:

HYDRATION: Weighing in immediately before and after the race revealed to my huge surprise that I had lost four and one-half pounds - more than one pound beyond the maximum recommended (typically cited at two percent of body weight). I had been very thirsty and a bit light-headed in the final four miles, and in retrospect should have slowed down and drunk more through the final aid stations! Lesson learned: Trust your thirst - an excellent gauge to assuring appropriate yet not excessive hydration! Don't worry about slowing down a bit to drink sufficiently so-as to fully quench your thirst - particularly in the final miles of an event under warmer conditions.  Whatever time you might lose will be fully compensated by a safer - and a faster performance. NOTE: On the opposite side of the fluid hydration spectrum lies hyponatremia. Recognizing its potentially extreme dangers a runner should certainly not drink beyond one's thirst (evidenced by gaining weight during a run), and weighing in before and after a variety of runs builds understanding of appropriate fluid intake.  If interested in more on-topic I made a contribution to the excellent Extra Mile Podcast (http://theextramilepodcast.blogspot.com/), and my ~10-minute contribution largely on hydration lessons learned can be found on Episode 61, beginning 12-minutes into the recording.

CLOTHING: With clear, bright, humid and sunny conditions in the final miles, and the temperature rising to the upper 50's, I was sweating profusely so at aid stations poured water over my head while taking 4-Oz. of Gatorade.  While doing so brought immediate relief I should have first removed my sleeveless running shirt and run bare-chested to maximize heat losses.

MISC.:

• Geek Report - The day before the event I purchased a Garmin Forerunner 310XT which proved to work well.  It provided better accuracy than my prior Forerunner 405, and I was relieved to notice afterwards that I had used less than 25% of its battery life (as contrasted with the 405, whose battery was consistently more than 75% depleted after a marathon).
• I was very encouraged to see a factoid by runpix.com which reinforced the benefits of Kenyan Way and of the pacing group strategy, i.e. of 99 other runners surrounding me as I began the final 7.5 miles of the race only 7 crossed the finish line faster.
• I enjoyed several encouraging and humorous T-Shirts on the course, the best of which was: "This isn't sweat; my fat cells are crying!"
• Official Stats:
  Overall: 390/6287 (top 6%)
  Males: 345/3911 (top 9%)
  Division (50-54): 27/473 (top 6%)

With speedster Xabier narrowly edging me by 18-seconds we both celebrate a personal record marathon time of 3:19!

Dallas White Rock Marathon - Personal Record & Boston Qualifier!

Earlier today I had the fantastic experience of running the 2009 Dallas White Rock Marathon, and loved it!  My reasons:

• Beautiful course - especially around White Rock Lake.  I enjoyed the diversity between White Rock's nature and scenery and Dallas' urban landscapes;
• Great pacing groups!  The 3:20 group helped control my normal impulse to jack-rabbit the critical initial miles.  Though I could not hold onto the group past the two "Dolly Parton" hills at miles 19-20, I appreciated the group tremendously;
• Supportive Dallas spectators;
• The topography of the course provided a moderate - but not an overwhelming - challenge that added interest to the course.

During this marathon I managed to simultaneously accomplish five goals:

1. Personal Record with a 3:22:38 (by 3-minutes);
2. Boston Re-Qualification;
3. Marathon Maniacs Qualification;
4. Surpass 2009 miles during the 2009 calendar year!

5. Finish the marathon strongly (in the final six miles I passed 56 other marathoners, while only 3 passed me - link)

My pacing (not ideal, as I had a positive second-half split of 3:32):

• Through 10K @7:37 - perfect - running with 3:20 pacing group;
• 10K through Half @7:34 - minor mistake - too fast; ran a minute faster than the pacing group;
• Half through 20.1 Miles @7:52 - Ouch!  "Dolly Parton" hills were tough!  Unfortunately, I lost the pacing group in the distance;
• 20.1 through 26.2 Miles @7:51 - Kicked 'er in on the downhill stretch - feeling tired but in control.  Great support from Gloria, then as the clock ticked down I realized I'd just P.R.'d!

Factors which I credit for my White Rock P.R.:

• I was more diligent in following the KenyanWay program incorporating guidance provided by Coach Sean Wade.
• Losing weight!  Subsequent to my last P.R. at the Chicago Marathon two-months ago I'd lost five-pounds.  Importantly, I'd lost this weight not in muscle, but in fat.  Dr. Jack Daniels book and his VDOT correlations reveal the huge benefit of weight-loss to running performance (see this site for a great spreadsheet which simplifies the numerics).  Losing one pound of surplus weight translates - everything else held constant - to a predicted faster marathon time of one minute.  Adjusting for White Rock's two disadvantages - its hillier course and warmer temperatures - the correlation works as I believe a 3:20 would have otherwise been attainable.  Regardless, for both health and running performance reasons it's wise to lose those surplus pounds!
• My Newton stability trainer running shoes.

Chicago Marathon - 7-minute personal record!

This morning I had the fantastic experience of running the 2009 Chicago Marathon. The results were beyond my wildest expectations since I completed the marathon in 3:25:32, which improves by over seven-minutes my personal record and re-qualifies me for the Boston Marathon! I was especially delighted since up until only six-weeks ago I was unable to run for a month while recovering from a minor stress-fracture.

I was very familiar with the Chicago course, as it was my 4th (and 14th overall marathon distance or beyond). The race temperature was absolutely perfect: 34 to 41°F, minimal humidity with a moderate 5-8 MPH wind from the north. While it was admittedly very cold during the pre-race waiting period, through wearing a disposable sweatshirt, hat and gloves (which I tossed at the start) I was able to remain comfortable.

I was very happy with my pacing consistency, as is shown on this chart. My first half-marathon time was 1:43:08 (7:52 pace), and I managed a rare negative-split in the second half with 1:42:24 (7:49 pace). Proving especially helpful was running the first 5K with the 3:30 pacing group as this mitigated my unfortunate tendency to jack-rabbit the start. Though I gradually ran ahead of the pacing group after that point, it played a continuing psychological benefit since I knew that if the group were to catch me I would then be able to hang-on with the 3:30's until the finish line. On reflection, during both my recent marathon successes (Houston and Chicago) I benefitted by pacing groups, where-as my recent April Boston Marathon was a partial disappointment (in terms of my completion time - not the fantastic overall experience) due in-part to their absence.

With regards my recent successful stress fracture recovery I credit my coach's excellent recommendation that I pool-run and bicycle during my five-week recovery period. Additionally, I credit myself for having the wisdom to follow my doctor's sage advice to interrupt my marathon training while giving my minor stress fracture time to fully heal. The bottom line lesson-learned was was not to give-up following an injury! Instead, keep-up the hard work and your positive attitude via finding healthful alternative activities to maintain your physical and mental health!

Additional elements which helped my Chicago performance:

• Other than my stress-fracture recovery period I closely followed the excellent Kenyan Way marathon training program. I highly recommend this program for any Houston based advanced marathoner.
• Rather than consuming my normal Crank eGel I tried out a new product - Gu's Rocktane (Vanilla/Orange flavor). Though eGel has more sodium and potassium per packet (220 vs. 125, and 80 vs. 55 mg respectively), adjusting for its 50% larger volume, both are comparable in electrolytes (though the smaller Rocktane size allows more frequent consumption and therefore provides a more consistent electrolyte and blood sugar levels). Two additional ingredients found only in Rocktane are 1200 mg of amino acids (the building-blocks of protein needed for muscle repair) and 35 mg of caffeine (which I've been convinced since my April 4-mile run helps my performance). I took my first Rocktane 10-minutes prior to the race start, then took an additional packet every 5-miles.
• My Newton stability training shoes (which I also had excellent results with during my recent Chicago Half Marathon) proved to be well worth their higher cost. Somewhat similar to a natural barefoot landing the Newtons help promote a more healthy and efficient mid-foot landing - which is especially important when running on typical concrete race surfaces.
• Upon approaching the half-way point of the marathon I realized that despite temperatures then in the upper 30's I was sweating heavily. Consequently, I removed my thin Boston Marathon shirt that I had been wearing and ran shirtless the final half. Though attracting odd-looks from the jacket and hat-laden spectators, I'm convinced that doing so helped tremendously. Since I had clipped my race number to my running belt/gel-holder (instead of pinning it onto my shirt) I was easily able to remove the shirt without worries of being interrupted as a suspected bandit!
• Finally, as I was seeded in one of the leading corrals that are restricted to qualifying runners I avoided the typical frustration of weaving in-and-out of slower marathoners in the initial miles. This is definitely something for advanced marathoners to check-into whenever registering for a large urban marathon!

Miscellany:

• My preliminary results were: Division Place, M50-54, #129/1471 (top 9%); Gender Place, #2,828/18,983 (top 15%); Overall Place, #3,258/33,608 (top 10%)
• My Forerunner 405's Connect.Garmin.com log.
• On October 14th I participated in a Runner's Roundtable podcast featuring a number of runners who participated in various distance running events worldwide over the weekend.  To listen to the banter click here.

Boston Marathon Race Report!

The Boston Marathon is the best since...
I rank Boston as the best U.S. marathon (followed by Chicago then Houston) since entrants are required to demonstrate a prior marathon time sufficiently fast to qualify them by their extremely strict requirements. This selectivity - excluding 90% of all marathoners - results in Boston runners being honored by the running community generally, and by race spectators in particular.

The famous "Heartbreak Hill" is merely one of several tough hills found on the Boston course - all inconveniently situated between miles 17 and 21! The course is beautiful, starting in rural Hopkinton, and concluding in downtown Boston - passing extraordinary sights and hundreds of thousands of cheering spectators. It is extremely well organized, and the area truly open their hearts to the runners.

Specific to this run:
I had an absolutely fantastic first Boston marathon experience! After being dropped off by my friend in Hopkinton I was fortunate through his wife to be provided a "VIP" pass which allowed me access to the Hopkinton middle school and most importantly their indoor restrooms - a huge treat versus the alternative of long queues for the outdoor Port-A-Potties!

Other than the head-wind the weather turned out to be very good, as the temperature was in the low to mid 40's and the skies were clear. The only problem was the strong and consistent head-wind of 10 to 15 miles per hour.

While my personal results were a bit disappointing, with less wind and better hill training I'm sure I'll have a better outcome next year. My overall time was 3:50:30 (8:47 pace), worse than I'd hoped via my recent P.R. at 3:32:17 (8:06 pace). Encouragingly, my half marathon time was 1:46:30 (8:07 pace), and my strength was very good. Nevertheless, I'd squandered energy averting and fighting the wind, and with on-set of the hills in Newton my second half deteriorated severely to 2:04:00 (9:28 pace). However, considering my prior Achilles tendonitis that prevented my training adequately on hills, and especially after adjusting for the head-winds* I'm generally satisfied.

Amongst the high points of the Boston Marathon experience were:

• My wife and daughter leaving me recorded motivational messages on my e-mail the evening before the race. I copied these - unlistened to - on my iPod, where they played just just I needed them the most - at the start of the race and while struggling with Heartbreak Hill!;
• The UNBELIEVABLE support and cheering along the course;
• The incredible management of the Boston Marathon by its officials and volunteers. Especially nice was starting with others who ran at my pace, which prevented the normally frenetic running around other slower runners;
• Enjoying dinner Saturday night with several fellow Houston running friends, and seeing most of them Notes:

1. *On page 282 of the linked reference a recent study demonstes that a 10 MPH head-wind requires a 5.5% increase in energy utilization. As energy expenditure is linear with running velocity (reference Table 8-6 on page 281), but is ultimately limited by the runner's physical condition, any runner facing a 10 MPH head-wind must slow by 5.5%. Thus, my 3:50 result equates roughly to ~3:38 on a still-wind adjusted basis.

Houston Marathon - 11-minute P.R. and B.Q.!!!

I qualified for the Boston marathon on this race by running 3:32:17!!! This SMASHED MY PRIOR P.R. BY 11-MINUTES!! I thank my support team (wife, daughter, friends) for supplying me much-needed eGels, Succeed Electrolyte Caps and water at miles 4, 16, 18, 22 and 25!!

Summary of my pace, by mile:
Mile Avg. Pace Delta Pac
6.21 0:07:56 0:07:56 Ran with Karen - a bit too fast, and ahead of 3:30's (0:49:20)
13.11 0:08:03 0:08:09 Slowed down nicely to run behind 3:30s as I'd planned (1:45:31)
18.64 0:08:02 0:08:01 Maintained pace nicely (2:29:54)
26.22 0:08:06 0:08:14 Started to lose pace due to muscle weakness in right upper leg. Nevertheless, I passed FAR more people than passed me. Passing weakness in right thigh muscle, which worked out (Net 3:32:17, Gun 3:33:04)

Factoid - Between mile 18.6 and the finish I passed 177 runners, and only 9 passed me!! This confirms my intuition, but it is great to see the numbers.

Official Race Results: Time: 03:32:17; Age 50-54: 44/480 (top 9%); Male: 488/3509 (top 14%); Overall: 571/5406 (top 11%)

Chicago Marathon Race Report!

Chicago Marathon! 4-minute P.R.!  The improvement was especially noteworthy since I'd last P.R.'d four years previously (on a then downhill course in Austin, TX), and as my interim marathons showed NO signs of improving - until this one!

Madison, WI Marathon Race Report

I really enjoyed this marathon! Although I was horribly conditioned, with tremendous need for quad strengthening to better prepare for the hills, I found the course to be beautiful! The support was tremendous, and the course was fairly unique among marathons I've run in that it was a mix between running on streets and running on trails.

Official Race Results: Time: 04:24:58; Age 50-54: 49/75; Male: 538/739; Overall: 792/1194

Ultra-slow Houston Marathon

Completely forgettable Houston Marathon.  Sadly, my first to exceed five-hours.  Yuk!!!


Official Race Results: Time: 05:04:32; Age 45-49: 485 out of 580; Male: 2836 out of 3482; Overall: 4319 out of 5595

Los Angeles Marathon Race Report

Had a great experience. While my time didn't reflect it, I really enjoyed the L.A. Marathon. The temperature was perfect initially (low 60's), then unfortunately quickly warmed-up. I wasn't well prepared for same, as I didn't have any electrolyte capsules with me. I was also ill-prepared for the hills, which surprised me since I wasn't aware just how hilly the L.A. Marathon was.... until I started climbing the hills. I was inspired by many fellow Christian runners, who had wonderful excerpts taken from the Bible and printed on their shirts. I stayed at my Aunt & Uncle's wonderful home, and felt very welcomed all around. Great experience!

Official Race Results: Time: 04:41:03; Age 45-49: 582/1503; Male: 4428/12378; Overall: 5743/20276

Chicago Marathon Race Report

On this, my second Chicago Marathon I was only passably prepared, and my overall time reflected same. While not an absolutely horrible time it was a true learning experience! Being excessively optimistic as to my pace I had my eyes set on running a 3:30, so ran with the 3:30 pacing group approximately through the half-marathon mark. However, shortly after passing my family at mile 13.5 I suddenly began losing my leg strength, and had to slow-down. My slow-down continued until by mile 21 or so I was doing the run-walk shuffle! True learning experience.... Better know your potential pace (easily gauged via the famous "Yasso 800" methodology (see link)

Official Race Results: Time: 04:12:30; Age 45-49: 1071/2115; Male: 9515/18389; Overall: 13538/32706

Austin Marathon Race Report

This was my first Austin Marathon, and I LOVED it!!! The first 16 miles were a beautiful FAST gentle downhill, and the final 9 miles had some ups and downs, but overall was quite acceptable. This marathon proved to be a significant P.R. for me (and would remain so for several years). Unfortunately, in the subsequent years Austin changed the course, and eliminated the net 500' downhill by starting and returning to the State Capitol. While the subsequent Austin course was doubtless much friendlier to the newbie marathoner than the one I'd run in 2005 it was no longer the same!

Official Race Results: Time: 03:47:49; Age 45-49: 85/352 ; Male: 835/2928 ; Overall: 1031/4906

Houston Marathon - My Second

A disapointing marathon, as I failed to improve on the prior P.R. (set in Chicago in October). 

Age: 338/613
Male: 1916/3666
Overall: 2504/5695
Pace: 9:49
Time: 4:17:33

Chicago Marathon Race Report!

My first Chicago Marathon! I loved it - for MANY reasons. First, Chicago is my original home. Born and grew up here. Second, Chicago has a BEAUTIFUL marathon. Unbelievably beautiful course, staring at Grant Park, running north through hoards of screaming Chicagoens. Dozens of different ethnic neighborhoods, each of which turn-out to show support. Of course, the city is flat as a proverbial pancake, so it's well suited for P.R.'s, which this one was - allowing me to knock over an hour and ten minutes off my first marathon (the primary reasons for the improvement is my having trained much better and longer, and with the benefit of running partners - primarily from the Houston Fit group).

Official Race Results: Time: 03:50:50; Age 45-49: 648/2089; Male: 6142/19005; Overall: 7867/32989

FIRST Marathon Race Report!! (Houston)

My FIRST Marathon. Completed!!!! My sole goal going into the marathon was to finish... and ideally with a time of less than 5-hours. I did both... with 13-seconds to spare!!

In retrospect, my preparation was TOTALLY inadequate. I trained solo, and while I had a great reference book, Jeff Galloway's "Marathon", I chose to only read the few chapters that really interested me... and ignored the vital discussion regarding not increasing one's running distance too quickly, and being sure to follow the prescribed training regimen. These critical mistakes cost me at mile 20, when I was forced to walk for the final 6-miles. Amazingly, though, with 0.2 miles to go, and a complete stranger screaming that I RUN my legs found energy that 30-seconds prior I didn't have, and I managed to sprint in the final 1/4 mile with the dreaded 5:00 clock rapidly ticking down!

At that point the memories are complete joy and a strong feeling of accomplishment and pride for what I'd done. Additionally, I secretly (unbeknown to my wife and daughter) was plotting my second marathon!

Official Race Results: Time: 04:59:46; Age 45-49: 507/584 ; Male: 2951/3527 ; Overall: 4108/5384