Bhearn is officially out for 8-ball contention. Because we can't just let this shit drag on, goddamnit.

Well...a lot of ambitious goals that came up just short made this an interesting week to pick. I gotta go Iceman, kind of a no-brainer. I tried to think of someone else because he is so consistently awesome, but he definitely was the guy.

Honorable mention to Strings, Candice & Ben, and Wrigley Girl.

Keep up the good work LostinthenetDoug and Denise, you guys are getting better and better!!!!!

Sorry guys. No Internet where I was staying in NM, except for iPhone, and I can't post on RA from my iPhone. Then straight to a conference; I haven't had a spare moment until now.

 

Bataan kicked my ass. I planned on 3:30 (though as I thought better of it I was thinking 3:30 - 3:40), ran 3:47:57.

 

The course is viewed as pretty tough: it has a 1500-ft hill in the middle, and the "sand pit" (a couple miles of deep sand) starting around 20. But honestly, I thought the course wasn't that bad. The hill was spread out over 6 or so miles at an even grade, and the sand pit was actually less than a mile, and somewhat runnable. I think it was the altitude that did me in; it starts at 4000' or so, and I live at sea level. I had to take walk breaks essentially as soon as I hit the hill, which surprised the hell out of me.

 

What was actually harder than surviving the death march was surviving the hour before it. High 20s, no bag check, required to be in the starting area an hour early. Not so bad if you're military and actually marching it, in fatigues. Not so fun in shorts and a running shirt. Wish I'd bought a throwaway.

 

 What stands out though, is getting to shake hands with the survivors.  What they went through was absolutely horrific.  I've never done a race that was bigger than me.  It made the running less painful.

  

Absolutely. That was truly amazing. They won't be around for us to shake their hands much longer.

 

Next up for me is Boston, which will be marathon #50.