Stretching after check-in.  Not much, i figure I'll warm up on the run, not like I'm that fast I'll pull a muscle.. lolo

Run

5h 01m 9s

26.2 miles

11m 29s min/mile

Comments:

The start was more than bizare.  For the first mile plus we ran in a pack so tight that you would not have hit the ground if you passed out, just been carried along like a rag doll... lolo Started w/ the 4:45 finish time group for the first 2 miles and hit the 10'30 pace that i thoought i could keep for the whole race.  HR was good and stayed pretty good the whole race.  The 4'45 gruup was starting out slow and it was hard for me to run w/ them, I would have been better off if i had stayed. 

Felt good and saw Robin at about mile 6/7 and that was great.  It was a little weird because spectators would see your name on your bib and call out your name, pretty neat...

My race was kind of 2 races in one... 1st half was great and I was really enjoying myself.  Second half was all about finishing. 

Once I hit about 11 miles, i started to have an issue w/ my Rt foot that became worse as the day went on.  From mile 14 - 16 I struggled a little bit, big day, but at about mile 16/17 the 4:45 pace group caught me and I was able to stay w/ them for a couple miles, but the foot was starting to really become an issue.  The pace group was walking the water station (my first walk) and starting back up my foot was about an 8.  Once I got about 50/60 feet running, I was able to deal w/ the foot.  Running it was about a 4, but doable, so the plan was no more walking.  That worked okay for a few miles but now I had it in my head that there was a problem and should I keep going, especially as I was getting more tired.  Just before coming into memorial park, I was tired and the foot was hurting, but I figured if I made it this far, hell if I wasn't finishing, and walking would sure take longer... The only problem w/ that plan was that I was REALLY tired and HAD to walk the water stations but DAMN did my foot hurt when I started running again every time.  About this time the left knee and lower leg was tightening up so yes, i walked funny... Okay, so at this point (mi 21ish) I'm hobbling/jogging to the finish.  At Memorial/Sheperd I stopped to help another racer that was not looking to hot (like I'm one to talk) w/ cramps and dizzy.  Passed him to a volunteer and on I went. 

Robin and Kay were at the next corner and that was a great pick me up.  Got a kiss from my girl and off to the finish... Just after passing them at about mi 23 I stopped and helped a guy stretch out a cramp.  I went on and he showed up next to me asking if he could run w./ me.  Heck yea... His name was Chris Carrell and he was having real problems w/ Hammy cramps.  I needed something to distract me and I told him he was it.  He laughed and said okay w/ him.  Nice guy who was gutting out the finish.  Lots to admire there.  We kinda pushed each other and chatted a bit to the finish.  He had a time goal of 5 hours that we were able to punch in.  The last mile actually felt good... stretched out the legs for the first time in a long time and finished strong.  Lots of happy there...

The ultimate goal was to finish and be happy about it.  Mission accomplished...

What would you do differently?: 

1.  Be a bit healthier leading up to the race. 

2.  Be able to do the long runs in training (the longest run I was healthy for was 13 mi!) 

Nice course.  REALLY enjoyed the Hoopla at the differant points, great pick me.  Water/Gatorade was spaced every mile and a half and I thoght that was weird before the race but worked out just fine during. 
Temp rose into the 60's mid race
Hydration/fueling was pretty good. 
1.  Pre-race hydration was good
2.  salt tabs night before and that morning, then 1 per hour hour during race
3.  2 Endurolyte pills before race and 1 per hour during race
4.  perpetuem in 1 hour bottle (2) and took one during hour 2 and hour 4
5.  2 gel w/ water in a flask (2) during hour 1 and 3
6.  1 gel at mi 21
7.  gatorade and water at each station