To start off I have to thank God for all the help He has given to me. Then I would like to thank Kory for all his help in training me and all the encouragement and helping me to get to this point in my running. Then I have to thank Bill for all his help in pacing me during the race and giving me a plan of attack for the end. Thanks, Kory and Bill! The night before the race Bill, my wife and I had an awesome dinner and we really enjoyed getting to know Bill. I was still pretty nervous about the race and by a miracle Bill and I were able to start the race at the front line. From there we had a good start and for me it got even better, because I did not have to pass a lot of people and that really helped me to save my energy for the end of the race where I really needed it. The first few miles were down hill and then it flattened out to a slight hill to even a bigger hill which really sucked. I am glad I did not know about the hill because I don’t think that I would have run as fast on the rest of the race. But one thing I have learned is that to eat the sports beans during the race which helps me to keep up my energy and helps keep me going. For me it was kind of funny when I was at mile five the leader of the marathon caught up to me which meant they were at mile six. When they passed me it felt like they were just walking by me and they did not even look tired. Anyway, I had kept taking my sports beans and kept my eye on my pace and average pace tying to keep it under 6:53. I do have to say that the course had changed from last year to this year and the course was a lot harder, especially with that nasty hill at the end. I kept trying to catch this person in front of me, which I was able to keep him in sight the whole way but I still was not able to catch him. Also, during the race I kept hearing sirens and I thought it was from my music, but I later found out that the leader in the wheel chair race was behind me almost the whole way. Then around mile eleven they passed me of course with his sirens blasting, so I gave the officer a dirty look. Then I was happy because I did not have to hear that stupid noise any more. After that stupid hill I had to start my self motivating yell which I tell myself “Come on Barry you can do this” which helps me to speed up. I know I am wired, but that is OK. I was 55 out of 4125 and for my age I was 6 out of 247 and I am very proud of myself. Plus I was able to meet Steve (Air Darkhourse) I do have to say he is really an awesome person and someone you all should get to know! We went out for lunch and had a great visit. Thanks Steve you are really an awesome. Any that is my race day in a nut shell, thanks for reading and have a great week!
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