Now, before this, the furthest I had ever run at one time was maybe 6 miles, 10 years ago, in college. I started running and training seriously for the marathon sometime around February. Running 3-5 miles 2-3 times a week, and then doing a long run on the weekends, starting at about 6 miles, and working up to 19 miles about 3 weeks before the marathon. All during this time I was also lifting and doing other aerobic activities.

The morning of the marathon was cool (50's) and overcast. Perfect. I met up with my friend Andy at the start and got the low down on what was going to happen. Being a non-official runner (a "bandit"), I had to start from the very back. Once the race started, it took me 16 minutes just to get to the "Start" line! The first 1/2 of the marathon went really well for me. I felt really good and was passing more people then were passing me. I crossed the half way mark at 1 hour 59 minutes, right on pace for a 4 hour marathon. However, around mile 16, the sun came out in full force, and I started hitting the hills. I had to stop several time to walk out some muscle cramps in my quads and had to walk most of the hills. :(

Near Kenmore Square I saw Naomi and Anetta, who had come out to cheer me on! I managed to run across the finish line in an official time of 4 hours, 55 minutes, actual running time of 4 hours, 39 minutes.

So, I can check that off my list of things to do!