After running my first marathon last year (and making many of the rookie mistakes), I wanted to run a better race and improve on my time.

My training runs went very well this year, but I was definitely running a slower pace. I didn’t do all of the cross-training that I kept telling myself I’d do, but the running was going well and I wasn’t getting injured. That was extremely important.

The day of the race came and I felt good – but nervous. The traffic before the marathon was crazy and caused a delay in the start of the race. Although starting from a new location (with less traffic issues), Linda and I made sure I was there well early and I had plenty of time to get my mind fixed on what was about to occur.

Linda hung out with me, although it was a cool 48º with a dampness in the air. Frankly, this was perfect running weather. I made the mistake of dressing too warmly last year – wearing long running compression leggings and a long sleeve shirt (and it was even warmer). I made the decision to wear shorts, short sleeve shirt, and arm warmers. I had practiced with this outfit earlier in the week, realizing the arm warmers would make the difference. They did.

Just before the National Anthem was sung, I kissed Linda and walked over into the crowd, finding my pace group. The goal was 4:45 (7 minutes faster than last year).

Pleasantries were exchanged among the 6 or 8 of us; we were all planning to stick with the guy that promised to get us there at our “hoped for” time. Most of us were marathon “veterans”; however, two were running their very first marathon. This was going to be a great group with which to spend my morning running.

Linda was there at the start of the race and leap-frogged me all the way through mile 21. She took pictures and video throughout the time that she was cheering me on – often with her cowbell. Unfortunately, she had to judge a piano event and had to leave for that prior to my completing the race. My parents, however, were at the end of the race to meet me.

I’ll drop a quick 2 minute video of the pictures and video here – and then I’ll discuss the race in more detail.

My goal this year was to run steady and efficient. Last year, not only was I overdressed, but I was also wearing a Camelbak filled with water along with two hip flasks filled with water. This was a lot of unnecessary weight that I carried for a lot of miles. I was accustomed to be self-sufficient for my water and nutrition needs, but I was not familiar with how much I could depend on the race organizers to supply me with enough water and Gu packets along the course. Last year allowed me to gain the experience and knowledge of what I could expect this year. I also, like many newbies, did not pay attention to my pace last year and ran too fast for the first half. This year was going to be different.

Because my main goal was to beat last years time of 4:52:54, I chose to anchor myself to the 4:45 pacer. There is a lead pacer that will make sure that the goal time is reached; there is also a trail pacer that will keep the group within 2-3 minutes of the goal time.

I ran the first 18 miles with the lead pacer and most of the pictures and video show me with that group. However, the steep rolling hills on a running/biking trail between miles 18 and 19 finally got the best of me. My heart rate just wouldn’t recover without me slowing down. Over the next 2 miles, the pace group moved slowly away from me. However, I stuck with a couple other runners and we encouraged each other to keep going.

After being rained on for a bit at mile 20, Linda was waiting for me one last time at mile 21. I ran to her and gave her a big kiss and a thank you for all the support she’d given me over the past few months of training, but especially for the amazing support she’d given me that morning. In that few seconds, the other runners kept going and I was left back alone. The final 5 miles of a marathon are some of the toughest, requiring a lot of mental fortitude to make your body keep going. Last year, I found myself walking more than running and feeling a little down on myself that I wasn’t in the shape that I thought I was. This year, it was tough – but I felt much better about myself and had more mental toughness than I expected. I’d like to say that I shifted gears and took off in a blazing glory and caught everybody and beat my goal. That didn’t happen – but I did stay tough.

I carried a couple Gu packets with me, but, in hindsight, wished I’d had at least one small water bottle with me. I could’ve used maybe two more water stops along the last 10 miles of the race. This is not a criticism of the water stops – just the fact that I needed more water than I had and wished I’d brought some with me.

The trail pacer for the 4:45 group caught up to me at mile 25. The last 1.2 miles was slightly uphill and open with exposure to the wind. We talked as we ran. I mentioned that my goal was to beat the 4:52 mark and he figured out that it was in the bag – just needed to keep going. The uphill slog was draining and my legs begged for some reprieve. As if he knew I needed it, we slowed to a walk for about 30 seconds just before the mile 26 marker. This was the rest my legs needed so that I could bring it in for the last 0.2 miles – up the uphill drive of Garmin Headquarters.

It was great to hear my name called over the loudspeaker as I approached the finish line. It was even greater knowing that I’d beat last year’s time with a time of 4:48:41, an improvement by four minutes. It’s a long way from a Boston Qualifying time, but it was a Personal Record and I was very pleased.

The finishers medal was placed in one hand and a bottle of water was placed in my other hand. As I was looking left and right for my parents, the 4:45 lead pacer and one of the other pace group runners came over and gave me a hug. That was a great feeling to have them congratulate me and cheer me because I felt like I had let them down by trailing off and getting lost from the group. However, that’s what’s awesome about runners – they’re always cheering each other on.

I quickly found my parents and they went to warm up their truck to have a nice warm cab to climb in. However, prior to leaving, I needed to get my “prize”, a nice cold beer from the post-race festivities. Like last year, it was hard to finish a simple can of beer.

I was offered either a hamburger or hot dog. I really had to stop and think about it. My mind wanted one of each, but my body overruled and suggested it wouldn’t be a good idea. I truly wasn’t hungry. Plus, I knew that a big lunch with good beer would be waiting after my shower.

After going home and having a most wonderful hot shower, my parents and I went to the same post-marathon restaurant as last year, Barley’s Kitchen + Tap. With amazing food and over 100 beers available, the celebration would be awesome. Upon arriving to restaurant, a very good friend was there and brought over my first beer; Cheers!

I wish I had a picture of Linda standing on the side of the road – the many times she was there, ringing the cowbell and yelling “Go, Bill”. The pace group smiled and chuckled each time. After the first time we passed, I waved and smiled at Linda and the lead pacer yelled back “He loves you”. So, when you watch the video, you’ll hear me tell her that I love her. It was kind of corny the first couple times that we saw her, but I meant it – and meant it even more as the race went on. Having her there waiting for me every few miles was encouraging and told me how much she loved me. Thank you, Linda. I really do love you!

Finally, it was wonderful to have my parents in town for the weekend. When the opportunity came about for them to come to town on this particular weekend, I assumed they’d choose another since I was running my race. However, when they realized they could be there at the finish line and celebrate with me, they quickly offered to do so. It’s so good to be loved by family. I love you, Mom and Dad.