Started out riding up on the bus with my friend Jacie and Dave. I have heard so many people say how long the bus ride was, and after riding it I still don't know what they are complaining about. Maybe they don't ride the bus very often or what but I didn't think it was bad. We got up to the start, told Dave goodbye and good luck, then off to the bathroom line. Stood there for quite a while, then it was time to drop our clothes off. We then only had about 5 min before the start, so we went to the 4hr 30 min group and waited to start. I didn't have any time to go find Terri and Jolene but figured they would be ok. I am glad I had Jacie with me. Jacie and I started off but it took almost 10 min to cross the start. Here are my splits: Mile 1-9:52 Mile 2-9:45 Mile 3- 9:25 Mile 4- 9:23 Mile 5- 9:29 Mile 6- 9:06 Mile 7- 9:28 Just before Veyo hill we stopped for the bathroom. Jacie and I started up the hill, but I ended up leaving Jacie at some point on the hill. It was fun to run with her for a while. Mile 8- 9:37 Mile 9- 9:53 Mile 10- 9:41 Mile 11- 9:57 Stopped at the aid station for a refill on my water bottle and also grabbed an orange- it was really good! Mile 12- 9:49 Mile 13- 9:35 Realized my first half was about 5 minutes over 2 hrs so I was kinda bummed since I wanted to do it in 2hr or under Mile 14- 9:50 Mile 15- 9:22 Mile 16- 9:20 Mile 17- 9:40 Mile 18- 9:39 Mile 19- 10:46 Started feeling a little sick with too many chomps and gatorade, so I walked a little up The Ledges hill. Mile 20- 9:44 Mile 21- 9:38 Mile 22- 10:07 Mile 23- 10:35 Started feeling like my feet were on fire so I had to concentrate on something else. By know I was feeling a little sick again with the chomps but figured I needed to keep taking them once in a while Mile 24- 9:31 Mile 25- 10:13 Mile 26- 11:04 Almost finished but walked for a minute to get feeling better before the final finish- the last 3 miles suck .2 - 9:20 FINISHED! I have to say that I really like this race and I feel good about my time. I had a good time and just ran and enjoyed everything about it. The miles seemed to go by fast too, which was really good. This was my first marathon and won't be my last. I liked the training and the actual race. I really didn't feel too sore or anything until around mile 22. It was fun to be involved in the whole event, and have my family at the end. So fun to be with Dave at the beginning (well, the bus ride). The plan now is to continue running everyday with my great friends and start looking for another marathon in the future!
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