In the Derby marathon this past weekend, I finally made Boston after
18 tries in 14 states. Here is the tale of the watch...........

My Splits


1) 7:21 – the first couple of miles there was runner traffic due
to
high number of mini marathon (1/2) runners 7000 vs. 700 marathoners.

2) 6:58

3) 7:16

4) 6:59 - rolling hills around a park. Miles 3 thru 7 but I like this
course

5) 7:05

6) 7:05

7) 6:47 – down hill

8) 7:14 – straight and flat thru mile 12. Excellent fan support.
The
mini is the biggest race all year here.

9) 7:09

10) 7:16

11) 7:05

12) 7:15 – THE TURN away from crowds. No more fan support. The
mini
goes another way. The heat starts to become an issue

13) 7:16 (1:32 for the half) – a long narrow stream of runners
running to the sun. very quiet just the cops on the corners….

14) 9:28 – Potty break at a gas station..where were the
portapotties!

15) 7:12 – felt great after the break actually cooled down on the
port-a-potty. So I felt cool and relaxed.

16) 7:10 – nice shaded road with a slight rise

17) 7:11 – running with some fast kids

18) 7:35 – long hill out of a park

19) 7:50 – starting to get hot. Up and down through some hoods

20) 7:49 – Industrial and boring no shade...glad I have money in
the
bank

21) 7:38 – Covered under an interstate. It was cool in the shade
by
the river. I started to think I can make it….

22) 7:54 – ran close to the finish line. See folks with finishers
medals from the ½ on the side of the road. Over pass type hill on
the
way out of town.

23) 7:33 – Long slough away from finish. Depressing. Straight and
hot-
bad side of town no support. But digging deep. Figure I have to
hold 8's or less to make it.

24) 7:47 – suffering along the dog leg away from town. I am in
pain
but must hold 8 or less. Sudden head wind pisses me off but am glad
for the cooling.

25) 7:43 – I can see town again. It is a straight line back to
town.
I am catching a guy in front and focus on that. If I make 8 min miles
then I am there!



26+) 8:45 – I catch the guy in front. His kids come out and join
us.
I run behind them for a while drafting. They begin to slow so I dig
and pass them. The marathon merges with the ½ again. There are
walkers all over the road. They are walking in lines 3-4 abreast. I
pour on the coals yelling "Marathon! Marathon!" I break their
ranks
(this crazed sweaty guy ruining their Saturday stroll). Finally the
last turn and I see the finish. There is a separate finishing side
for the marathon so break for that. I see the clock still saying 3:14
something break into what ever I have left and smile across the
finish line.


It was a bit anti climatic as the mini folks(the walkers) were
everywhere and they had no concept of what I had just done. I
realized I was standing around with a bunch of folks who took 3 hours
to walk 13.1 miles...what did they know! And they ate all the food! I
managed to snag the second to last Poweraid…(I kid you not).
Then
limped half a block and crawled into my car to cry….18 times in
14
states and I finally make the show.

I look forward to purchasing my Boston Marathon 2005 Jacket