Notes
Well I spent an hout typing about this whole experience and was nearly done and lost the whole commentary. SO here is an abbreviated version because I'm pissed about that right now. Woke up on race morning and headed into the city. We parked two blocks from the start line and L-Trains hotel which served as headquarters for before and after the race. Thank you Lance and Diane-what a blessing to be able to shower and change after the race-and so close! Headed to the start line around 6:15 and ran out of time to use the port-a-jons so we used a tree. Corralled up with Michelle and Gadman and we took off shortly after 7:00. Ran with Dad for the first mile long enough to pass the women for a photo opp. Got bound up in the crowd a bit and ran an 8:15. Seperated from him after that and even the pace back out. Tried to run around 7:54 thinking that the Garmin would be long and that would really be an 8:00 pace when it was all said and done. Stuck to the plan and felt pretty good through the half, stopping at most to the water stops and 2 gels. Used Jim's patented velcroed straw to get down the fluids with ease. Still OK until 17 where we went up a hill and back over the bridge, Started to really feel it at this point and looked down at 18 and discovered that I was running an 8:30. I began to realize that my hopes of a sub 3:30 were likely over. Just as I began to accept this realization I thought that I would try to just run one more 8:00 mile and soon reached the 21 mile mark. I just kept plugging away each mile thinking there was no way I could hold it. I was dipping slightly but knew I had just a little banked. When I got to 22.5 there was someone on the side of the road yelling " only a little more than a 5K to go, you can do it!". I thought to myself she's right I've done this distance many times. After I hit the 24 mile mark and jsut a little over 2 to go I told myself that this would be my last hard mile and I could run a high 8 to fiish the race. As I approached the last mile I just kept chugging along. To my surprise I saw Michelle with only 2/10 to go. She yelled at me as I passed her and I said hi breiefly. I could see the finish line up ahead and looked at my watch. 3:29:16. Oh boy! Last tenth and I was in danger of losing it after all the work to get here. I immediately broke into a sprint for the finish. As I crossed the line, I shouted in elation and tried to walk ahead in search of water. I soon realized that I could barely even stand. Here comes Michelle through the finish line, smiling and waving to everyone. I tell her that I can not stand and I need to lay down. She says no way and makes me walk the long journey down the street ,get some food and finally I sit down and take in all the pain. My Dad comes along a few minutes later and celebrates his big PR along with ours. What a great day and wonderful adventure. This was the hardest I have ever fought to achieve a goal and I am better for it, I think. Thanks to all of you who helped me "Redefine Possible". Will I run a marathon again? TBD