There really wasn't a plan for this race, it was a last minute sign-up to compensate for last months' dnf. I knew I didn't have enough speed work in my goodies bag to take a run at a BQ, this was more of a show up and see what you got kinda race.

The day started off cold and rainy, seems to be a pattern lately. The 9:00 a.m. gun went off promptly at 9:30, something about the rain and the long Port-O-Pottie lines must have confused the starter. I found a space in between 2 buses, but I still had to wait for everyone else.

Once we did get started I eased into a comfortable pace to get an idea of where the day was going. I didn't really check time until mile 3. I was at 27:07. Seemed I had just found a plan for the race, try to maintain that 9 minutes and change pace as close as possible to the finish--a pace race.

I hit the half at 1:57:21, still at fairly even pacing. This was the first time I had carried a 20 oz hand held in a marathon and I liked the option of not having to stop at an aid station unless I needed water to wash down a gel. I was carrying Accelerade with a refill packet of powder for the 2nd half. Another benefit, more liquid gets to where it needs to go and not down your shirt or up yor nose.

I came into mile 20 at just a little over 3 hours feeling fairly good, a liitle soreness in my hips, but still hitting in the low 9s. The course had a few long, slow climbs and I was beginning to feel the miles and slow a bit. Miles 22 and 23 cost me some time, but I still hadn't broken into the 10 minute pace jar. I picked back up again thru mile 24 and caught a long downhill halfway into mile 25. I took advantage of the free speed even though my quads were screaming at me to stop. I rolled into the final street to the chute, still picking up pace to hit an 8:42 last mile with a sprint to the finish; 4:03:21.

All in all, not my best time, but a very satisfying race. Nutrition worked, no real gaps in pacing. The course was surprisingly well laid out and challenging for a first year race. The only real glitch was the start and what the hell, I'll give 'em that.