I have good news and not so good news. I finished the race in good time (so I am told) 3:31:51, but boy did I pay for it. I was doing well until mile 17 or so. I guess the first half was too fast. The way I feel now I wonder that any speed for the first half would have spared me from my screaming legs and post race nausea. My legs still hurt. I didn't qualify for Boston, not with the second half of the race I put in. I finished 50th out of my age group of 187 and 331st* of the males in general. Seasoned marathoners (I know) were impressed with my time in my first marathon. I appreciate that.

I don't think people are supposed to run 26 miles. That was the distinct feeling I got at mile 17 or so, where I sort of woke up, fully comprehending what I had gotten myself into. I was thinking, "this sucks now and it is only going to get worse." I tried to rally my body a few times, but to little avail. I was spent, too early. And it all happened just how I had been told. "The first one is a learning experience" and "don't go out too fast," they said. I'd like to keep that good pace throughout the whole race the next time. "Next time?" Yup, I just wrote that.

Uli Steidl won again in 2:24:24. The next guy was 10 minutes behind him.

*update: 334th