Hooked up with Tim and the plan was to run with the 3:30 group. At the gun we went forward and ended up catching up to the 3:20 group since everyone always runs a bit slower at the start, especially in larger races with a lot of people.

The first three miles or so are uphill but because it was the beginning of the race you don't really notice. By mile 3 we were pacing in the low 7's, which was faster than we had planned, but we felt good and just kept rolling at the same rate. From there to the first relay point it is generally downhill and we kept the same low 7 pace going. Then after the relay you go up a short hill, then down through the main part near the Inner Harbor. From there it is relatively flat until you go through Fells Point and Canton and make the turn to go uptown around 15.

We ran for a little bit with a younger women who was doing really well and looking strong but was running a bit ahead of where she wanted. After going through Ft. McHenry she fell off a bit while we kept on with the same pace. Our HR's were right in line with where they should be for a marathon and we were still pacing a 7:16 average based on Tim's Garmin. I saw Brian from my office who was running the 3rd leg of the relay at the 12.5 mile switch off and yelled to him that we were running a "bit" faster than what we wanted. At the half we were right around 1:36 and change which was on pace for ME to run a Boston qaulifying time (BQ). But we were still a bit off for Tim to run one since he has to run 5 minutes faster than me being younger.

We felt good, so continued our pace through Fells and Canton. Then we turned left and headed up the hills at mile 15.5. Since we had both run the race before we knew what we were in for. Our conversation fell off a bit and we buckled down to keep going at a similar pace. We were still going in the mid to high 7:20's and my HR was over 180 consistently which is above my LT, which would be expected at this stage of the race and going uphill. By 18 I was a little concerned that it would not come down as easily because I was starting to twinge in my calves which are usually the first sign on me of fatigue.

I was walking for a few steps at each water stop to take in fluids as that is my plan for Florida next month and this was a training run to nail down what I need to do for that. Tim would always run through them and it was taking me longer and longer to catch back up to him as I was taking in two drinks (one water and one Gatorade) at most stops now. After the 19 mile relay switch it took me close to a 1/4 mile to catch back up. Then we turned right and it was a little down hill so got a breather.

We hit 20 at 2:27 and both came to the realization that if he could run a 43 minute 10k to the finish that he would be able to hit his BQ. That was never the plan but since he was close there was no reason not to take a crack at it! His plan was to go for his BQ at California International Marathon next month, so this race was just a practice run and nothing could be lost trying for it this late in the run. So I told him to go for it if he was feeling it, no plans to try to keep up for me if he wanted to go.

Once he moved up the road a bit we were going around Lake Montibello and it was really windy and in our faces. I just buckled down and started really doing my calculations to see if I could hit a BQ myself. I was still on pace and at 21 figured that I only had to do just under 8 per mile to get there. Since the courseis generally downhill from there with a few sections of shorter uphill and a few flat areas I knew that I had a good shot and decided to go ahead and continue my pace to get there.

I focused on continuing to take in fluids and keep an even and strong turnover. By 24 miles I had 18 minutes to make it under 3:15:59 and knew that unless I totally collapsed that I had it in the bag. Those last two miles were a challenge because I was starting to get really fatigued, but my pace wasn't falling off as bad as it usually does in longer races which boded well.

After making the detour around the hotel construction we turned on Eutaw and ran through Camden Yards. I picked it up a bit and ran well through the last 1/4 mile. As we neared the finish I ran over the timing mat since it allowed the announcer to know who was coming through. He was telling people to do that, but I was one of the few. So I here, "And here's Rick Carter from Fulton, MD coming in to the finish." From the side I heard a "Daremo!" and turned confused to try and find out who it was that knew me and my BT handle. Turns out it was JoshKaptur who's wife was running in her first half marathon. Very cool!

I threw up the metal salute and pumped my arm a few times as I crossed the line. Clock time was just over 3:15 and my watch/chip time was just under 3:15, so I ran a BQ with a minute to spare! Not too bad for a "training" day. ;)

I paced well and didn't go out too fast as I usually do. Probably because the plan was never to go the pace that we did! My overall pacing was good and never got above 7:50-ish even in the last few miles (other than the first mile which is always slower). Usually the last few miles I fall off a lot, but not this time. We paced the hills well but my HR was a bit high, over 180 for the entire section from 17 - 21-ish.

Talked with Tim as he was waiting at the finish and learned he just missed his BQ. Then we grabbed some water and hobbled out of the runners area. I had to take off pretty quickly so we talked for a few minutes, said congrats and then walked over to the car to go do my errands before heading home.


Not training specifically for a marathon. My longest run before this was an 18 miler and two 17's. Everything else has been in the 8 - 15 range and sporadic.


This was the 4th year I've participated in the marathon (3 finishes, one DNF) and it has gotten better every year. There were tons of volunteers, more and more spectators each year and they make a point of addressing comments from the last year to make it a better event. An example was last year the medals sucked and so they got an early design approved and this year they were fantastic.

I honestly think I had a better race here then I had at the NCR race last year where I PRed and BQed. Our pace was pretty consistent and I made a point of taking in a lot of fluids (more than I usually do) and took my Gus on :30 minutes as planned. This was really a test to make sure I could even pace my effort and take in the correct nutrition so that I don't fall apart at Florida. I think I know what it will take to do well there with this and the aqua velo experience. I just have to execute and string it all together and take what the day gives me!

Oh, and even though I don't plan on runnning Boston again I did run another BQ with this effort on a course that is considered tough to BQ. ;)