Woo Hoo!

Got my PR by 49 seconds. Official time: 2:12:59.

Had a really good first half of the race, even though it is net uphill for the first 8 miles. And that Jericho Turnpike stretch involved a slight headwind. The ninth mile I even made up some time and brought my pace back down. Then it was up the onramp to the Wantagh Parkway...that slowed me down some. Then we had to go over some road or other while on the Parkway...that was pretty brutal for me. Folks were passing me in droves. Droves I say.

And after that I had nothing left. I tried all my games. I had been doing so well. But by then my feet hurt so badly and I was so tired, I was just saying one more step, one more step. The one more telephone pole was long since out the window. There was not even any energy left to lean forward. Or pick someone out in the crowd to chase. I tried thinking of Barbara and Kris who were running twice the distance. But I couldn't even gather inspiration from that. I tried focusing on the victims of the Boston bombing, and that just made me worry about Natasha at the finish line. Even Janice passing me handily with a quarter mile to go did not get me to rally and move any faster. It was going to be what it was going to be at that point. And although I cared, I couldn't muster any more strength. (Great job Janice!!!!)

Naturally, I went out too fast. No surprise there. A common curse of mine. I even tried to slow down at the beginning, but not enough, obviously. Miles 9-11 are always the hardest for me. And today was no different. The only difference was that I did not get a second wind after mile 11 like I have before. So, I tested myself again. And although I did better than before in a few ways, it was not as good as I have the potential to do, if I was better prepared.

We got Chinese food for dinner to help replace the salt lost. Here is my fortune:

Dreams are extremely important.

You can't do it unless you imagine it. 

Truer words for the day could not have been said. I believed I could break 2:13, but was not convinced about much more. And I did exactly that...broke 2:13 by one second, and not much more. Still have much training to do between the ears. Clearly.

Lots of work to be done on the legs too. After cleaning up the bloody feet, I will not waste any time getting new shoes this week!!! And then we just keep on moving...one day, one mile, one telephone pole at a time.