We do 26.2

Wow, what a race! I've never experienced anything like this—not the pain, not the fatigue, not the awesome support from hundreds of thousands of spectators. Here's the recap.

Before the Start

My super spectator (Katie) dropped me off at the Dome around 6:30. I hung out there for a while, stretched, and downed Gu #1. I lined up at the start around some cool people (actually, all the runners are cool), and we all noticed the same thing: SAUSAGE! Really, an intense smell of sausage was wafting over the start. It was pure torment!

Mile 1

About 5 minutes after the gun, I crossed the starting line. Everyone was pumped. I was passed by so many people. I started around the 4:45 runners, and ended up actually running a perfect 4:30 pace the first mile. So let's just say that these people don't believe in negative/even splits. Also, are people so unprepared that they have to use the port-o-johns on mile 1? Really?

Mile 2

The Basillica of St. Mary had the loudest and most fantastic 3 bell peal ever! The first water stop was chaos, but I got my Powerade and Water. I then dumped half a cup of Powerade on my shirt. Super.

Mile 3

Alan Page, a Minnesota Supreme Court justice, was playing his Tuba. It was cool.

Mile 5

Mishap #1. In prepping my Gu, my hand decided to open. Gu on ground. Too many people for me to stop and grab it. Thankfully, I had 1 extra, so it didn't hurt me later.

Mile 9

I did the YMCA while running. Of this I am not ashamed. An interesting aspect of the race is all of the spectators offering food. They had Jolly Ranchers, donuts, pretzels, orange slices, champagne, bananas, and a host of other things. Each time I saw this, I was reminded of something I read: You're in a marathon, not a buffet line.

Mile 10

Mishap #2. The water stop at the 9 mile marker was right at the mile marker. So I didn't see it. When my watched showed my time for mile 9 approaching 18 minutes, I caught on. Going under Nicollet Ave. on Minnehaha Pkwy, there was a percussion troupe. They were really good, and their positioning under the bridge created the most amazing reverberation I have ever heard.

Mile 12

To the woman who shouted: "You're halfway there!" No, mile 11.4 is NOT halfway there. Thank you.

Half Marathon

At this point I was still feeling great. My splits were dead on for a 4:30 finish. I was cautious not to go too fast, and I was getting optimistic at this point.

Mile 14

My first spectators! Thanks to Kelli and Eric for cheering me on! What a boost that was!

Mile 16

My second spectator! Katie is awesome!

Mile 19

The wheels start to come off here. My right quad was not happy. It tensed up, forcing me to stop about every half mile at some sturdy vertical object and stretch it. Also at this point, I will tell you the story of one of the more inspirational people I was running with. I don't remember his name, but he is a Marine. He was in combat fatigues, and carried at giant American Flag and POW/MIA flag. To top it off, he loaded 50 lbs into his gear pack because he raised a certain amount of money for Toys for Tots. I can imagine the agony that his hands and arms were feeling from that flag, but he ended up finishing about 40 secs ahead of me. On Mile 19, when my quad started acting up, I slowed down considerably. He hollered at me to keep pushing. If only we could all be a bit more like him.

Mile 20

While on the the incline up to the Franklin Ave. bridge, I turned to my left and saw Katie. There were so many people at this bottleneck, so she didn't see me, but it gave me a good boost.

Mishap #3. Missed a mile marker because of the water stop again.

Mile 21

Gu! This made up for my lost one. They were passing it out. I pointed at a volunteer, and yelled: Orange? He gave one to me, and then exclaimed: "Why doesn't anybody want espresso?"

Mile 22

The hill. It actually wasn't too bad. 2 people dressed up as nuns were cheering. Nun pajamas! The rest of this mile, and the next, were a gradual uphill.

Mile 23

More up hill. But spectators too! Thanks Kevin and Renee! I did't have time (or the mental capacity) to read your sign, but it looked great!

From this point, it should have been easy. I run this route 4 times a week. If it weren't for my quad, it would have been easy. Alas.

Mile 26

Coming around the corner and seeing the Cathedral and Capitol was the best thing I have ever seen. I blame it on the previous 25ish miles. I'll also admit that I got a little emotional seeing the finish and the GIGANTIC American Flag over the course.

Finish

I did it! Crossed the line at 4:49:13 (chip time). I was elated, tired, thankful, in pain, and so many other things, but it felt great. I needed help getting my medal and putting my heat sheet on. There was food, and official pictures, and picking up my sweats. I found Katie, and we went home.

Thanks to everyone for the support. Whether it was cheering for me on the course, encouraging Facebook messages, emails, thoughts, and prayers, thank you. And thanks to the people who had to listen to Eye of the Tiger on loop for 6 hours. I wouldn't wish that on my enemies.

Now I recover. I'm really sore and really tired. Would I do it again? Totally.

To your mom and beyond!