Group 45-49 Age 49 Time 3:28:28 PR! Overall 77/934 Gender Place 64/574 Division 6/69.

10 days ago a pulled a hamstring and was confined to rest. Not knowing what difference it would it make in the marathon, I joined the 3:20 pace group ( according to my training times and races, this was my expected MGP) with the intention to drop with the 3:30 group at some point in the race. In the first 9 miles I monitored my legs and just followed the pacer. I enjoyed every minute of it. I waved back to people cheering in the streets, eat, drink and was having good time. I felt so good that decided to listen to my mind instead of my body. So mile 9 was the time to break out of the group and hope for the best, really Hope for the best. At mile 19 I started to struggle but by then I had a few minutes saved in the bank. Miles 23 and 24 were stop and go. I put my thoughts together again and closed the deal with enough time to spare and I even brought a PR home and BM time.

The people of the entire neighborhoods we run by were amazing. It reminded me Chicago Marathon for a moment. Oakland struggled with the movement protest and is always struggling with crime and drugs. Yesterday the people of Oakland showed great character, love to sports, family and healthy life.