MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

My Friends and Family- I really apologize for not updating the blog sooner....please forgive me. But the race took so much out of me that it has (literally) taken me a week to get myself straightened out again and get back to normal. I have posted pictures here of the race, and will now discuss it.

First of all - yes, I finished. My time was a bit higher than I wanted @ 6:37:19....but once I got to race day I scrapped the idea of finishing within a certain time and said, "screw that - just finish this damn thing". Here is a quick recap of the race:

Race Start (5 minutes into the race): Gastro-Intestinal Issue. Ran to a bathroom and was freaking out that I was screwed for the whole race. No clue what it was...but I was ok after that.

Mile 3: Right hamstring started cramping which made me nervous again. I make the VERY early decision that I will not ditch my fuel belt no matter what. I might need the water and Accelerade to keep me hydrated.

Mile 5-8 (downtown): I find a really nice groove and I am feeling good (see picture). So good that I start running faster and faster. I realize what I am doing and force myself to slow down. This is a marathon - not a sprint.

Mile 11: I get off the 163 and head west into Fashion Valley. Paramedics are pulling people off the course that are hurt. A Cal Trans worker gives me a cookie which makes me feel good, but the sun is starting to come out...I am off my pace and I know that Cordell is WAY WAY WAY ahead of me probably feeling great. I start feeling really alone and scared.

Mile 12: My Friend Scott is standing on the course waiting for me with a bottle of water and kind words. He bails me out and gets me going again.

Mile 15: The sun is now out earlier than expected and it is hot....REALLY HOT. I have 11 miles ot go and this could get rough. I press on. The pain in the feet is setting in.

Mile 16: I start getting blisters on my feet. The pain is brutal, but I have come too far. I press on.

Mile 18: Lots of drunk people in Pacific Beach make me happy by offering me beer and shots of Jaegermeister. I really want some but I can't. I realize the Igraham Bridge is coming up.

Mile 22: I officially hit "the wall". My kidney and liver shut my body down and I want to curl up and die. I walk from 22-24 and am wishing the whole time that I had my dads shotgun with me so I could put my useless legs out of their misery.

Mile 24: I get visibly angry because I am walking so I stop at a medical tent for some Tylenol. I wash it down with Accelerade, eat my last pack of Jelly Beans and promise myself (out loud) that I REFUSE to walk any more.

Mile 24-26.2: I run the final 2.2 miles faster than my training pace. Running the whole way...and SPRINTING across the finish line yelling "YES! YES! YES! YES!" While pumping my fists. (see picture)

This has been an amazing 32 week journey. People have been stunned and amazed that I actually finished, then immediately say "well - are you going to do another one?". My answer on race day and the day after was "probably not". But as the week has gone on, I have really felt like perhaps I could do it again next year. Right now I am going to take some time for my family, learn to play guitar a bit....and run a couple times a week for recreational purposes. I think I will start weight lifting again as well.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my training...and ESPECIALLY the massive group of people who were at the finish line waiting for us. Truly amazing.

Media coverage, including some T.V. interviews I did....will be on Sunday, June 15th on Fox Sports Network...and Saturday, June 21st on NBC.

See you all next time!!