First, I'll go ahead and say that I apologize if any of this sounds whiny. But if you don't want to hear negatives, stop reading now!

This was a completely disastrous race for me, and I have no idea why. My goal for this race was a sub 3:10 (to qualify for Boston). It was a stretch goal, sure, but one that I thought was legitimately within reach. My PR is 3:28:52, but I've put in massive training since getting that in Baltimore a year ago. Not getting a PR for this race didn't even cross my mind. I've been running over 170 miles a month for the past few months to train for this.

As soon as I started the run, I knew something was "off." My HR was 20 to 30 bpm faster than it should have been. I started a little fast, but not too fast (right around a 7 min/mile). To put that in perspective, my half marathon PR is under 7. My HR would just not come down. At all. I slowed some, and my HR stayed right where it was. No change. I took my first walk break around mile 6. Daremo passed me at that point, and offered words of encouragement. I tried taking in fluids, which didn't help and through the course of the race started leading to stomach issues. I began walking VERY early, and ended up walking very often. Once every pace group I was interested in passed me, I knew I was done. The only reason I finished this race is because my girlfriend (ras26) was also racing, and I was going to have to wait for her to finish either way. Basically, my choice was to suffer through 26.2 miles, or wait for several hours at the finish. I chose the former. Otherwise, I would have gotten the DNF before the half was over. It was that bad.

Apparently, I looked so bad that a cop asked me at mile 24ish if I needed a medic. By the end, I really didn't care what "time" or "pace" i got, I just wanted to be done. My legs were cramping up badly, which added to the joy. When I ran my HR went up to 180-190, and when I walked my legs hurt. When I was done, I was so disgusted in the race and myself. This was my 12th marathon, and ranks 10th in my finish time (one race was really bad because I had the flu the whole week before, and another because I ran 2 marathons in an 8 day window).


I don't know, that's what is so frustrating. My pace should have been much much better. I feel like I trained adequately. Hell, I've run 20 miles at a faster pace in 95+ degree heat, carrying my own fluid, the day after a century ride!

Sat for a little while, then waited for B to finish. After she was done, we sat around while I drank my complimentary beers. Free beer helped my mood, but only slightly.


I don't know, that's what is so frustrating.


Baltimore is a great race - my struggles were not because of the race or volunteers.