So I ran my marathon and I had a good time doing it.  I did not do nearly as well as I wanted to do but I am using that as motivation for next year.  The weather was perfect for the race, but I was just not prepared.  I felt great until mile 23 and then the cramping began.  It started in the right quad and then both quads started cramping.  I could run about half a mile and the cramping would start again.  I stopped and walked through an aid station and ate a bananna and took in a lot of fluids, but there was no stopping it.  I was really disappointed and frustrated during the race, but I guess that is how races go.  I finished 6 minutes faster than my first marathon, but I know I could have done much better.  I got sick about 3 weeks out and missed 2 key runs and I think that was my demise.  That being said, I had a great time running the marathon and am really looking forward to the Phoenix Marathon next year!