Bret

So I tried to run the New York City marathon today - knowing full-well that the event would likely be a clinic in pain management of my left foot, but ever hopeful that I would feel reasonably good enough to possibly run around 3:15 or so.   The main reason I did not withdraw from the race was that 2 of my daughters traveled up to the race and Richie and Mike were running - and I really wanted to make it.

Things started off ok.  I knew early on that I would have to take it a little easy and let Mike and Richie pull on ahead after the first mile.  I was able to keep it together for roughly the first half of the race averaging about 7:20-7:25 pace and was optimistic that I'd be alright; however right around mile 14 the pain in my foot (possible Plantar Fasciitis - by self diagnosis) became much more profound.  As a result my gait and strength were impacted and the race from about mile 16 through end were rather miserable.

I did have an enjoyable time with my daughters and with Richie and Mike.  We rode to the start together and were in the same starting corral on the bridge.  My girls assembled posters to cheer me on, and were at mile 17 (we saw each other and that was really special - having not had them at a race before) and then made their way to the finish line just in time to see me there too.  Had I not slowed down as much as I had, they may have missed seeing me - so silver-lining to my slower pace was that they got to see me finish.

All in all - I was glad I decided to go.  I knew I was not in PR shape, and I knew I was hampered with injury - so I was really not disappointed with the outcome.  Probably going to take some time off now to hopefully allow the foot to heal up.