She will get online and tell the story. She is okay, but deflated.

Oh, jeez. Sorry to hear that -- the numbers didn't show what she can do.

Some day you're the pigeon, some day you're the statue. I'm surprised and disappointed - for you, certainly not with you. Quite the opposite. You've had a hell of season. Plenty of races ahead. Chin up.

I just wanted to say that I think you swamp dudes are being good friends and that I am glad Candice will have you guys to help her debrief the experience and give it some perspective. Props to youse. Eh? Heh, I posted this too slow. Back in a minute.

oh Candice, that sucks! I just know you have it in you to meet your goal...some things are just random and criminally unfortunate. I HOPE you run CMM in a few weeks. You need to come back and kick marathon ass! aside from that, that is one helluva HTFU finish if I ever heard one!

Well you know you had in your pocket. So this time things got messed up, but you'll figure it out The thing about such a long race is that a lot of things have time to go wrong. But they won't always go wrong and you still come away having an inkling of what you can do. So rest up and let the idea of CMM roll around in your head. Really sorry it wasn't your day. Running in that kind of pain and discomfort when you're ready and really fit really really sucks.

Well, Candice, I think you showed great (ahem) intestinal fortitude that you (ahem) gutted it out and finished. Seriously, all joking aside, you showed a lot of inner strength to finish that race. You have the BQ in you. Next time...

I don't know if a 4:10 is worse than a DNF? Thunder? What do you think? Yes?

I seem to be the king of DNF's around here, and you did toss the question my way, so I'll field it. First I'd like to say that I've never DNF'd in any race BUT the marathon. Also, I've had my "struggle" marathon when I ran a 3:58 (way off my 'pace') where I pushed through because I just told myself that I'm not going to quit. I think that's a good idea for first timers who need to know that they CAN finish. Now at this point in our running careers you and I both know what we can do. We don't need to "finish" a marathon to prove anything to ourselves, you and I are in it for our specific goals (Boston, time, etc). So with that in mind, I do think it's fine to DNF a marathon when something like what happens today to you happens. Do I think it's bad that you pushed through? No. Not at all. This is what I did at Huntsville this past year too. My race went pretty much exactly like yours did. I pushed through and ran a 3:22 and felt fine that night and next day. I wanted to run another marathon in a couple weeks but was talked out of it.Looking back, i'm still pissed I didn't. I wish I had turned around and ran another one. I was ready. I knew it. I would do what Trent says and find another one here in a couple weeks. CMM might suit your purpose, but I'd be carefull not to push through something again this soon. So if that doesn't go well, drop. Maybe going into it with a carefree attitude and knowing that you just ran another will take some of the "pressure" off for you. Anyway, i'm rambling. I think you should read, "Nutrition peridization for Endurance Athletes". It's a great book I just finished up, and I picked up a few good pre marathon eating tips. Maybe that will help us both with our GI troubles. So in closing, pulling a DNF has to be something you can live with. I can. If you can, then it would be the best choice in a scenerio like today...so you can be fresh and turn around and pick another race you can ace. But some people can't take the mental hit of a DNF...and that's understandable...so maybe it's better that you keep on keeping on. Either way, you're a tough chick and you'll get it figured out soon enough. Both of us will. I predict that we'll both be at Boston in 2009. So keep em' crossed and we'll both get there!

Greetings from Peoria, IL. They have a riverboat casino! Candice, when Trent texted me your finish time, I almost swerved off the hwy. I was ready to reach through my phone and strangle him for messing with me. But, then he called me to tell me it was so. My heart sank for you. I don't know what is worse, getting sick during the race and seeing it slip away with miles to go.....or missing the BQ by a minute or two. I've been in both spots. As has been mentioned, hats off to you for pressing on and finishing. Add this to your growing list of experiences that are making you a better runner. This is sweat equity. And, the more dues you pay, the prouder you make me! I like Trent's idea about gearing up for CMM.....or a different one in the monh or two. You are obviously peaking and are in shape to run your best. But then again, I'm sure you're mentally drained from being in training mode so maybe a break is good? I agree with Marcus, any finish is betterthan a DNF. MTA: DAMN!