This was my 3rd marathon, and came to Philly with three goals:

1) Break my PR of 3:45 set at Vermont City Marathon (VCM) last May
2) Qualify for the Boston Marathon, a.k.a "BQ" (3:30:59 or better).
3) Eat my first cheesesteak
4) See Ben Franklin's grave (okay that's four)

During training, I visualized seeing 3:28 on the clock as I finished. I saw myself lifting my arms in the air in jubilation, celebrating my BQ. The week before the marathon, I experienced my usual high heart-rate and body noise, due to nerves. I was 5 pounds heavier (a whopping 175 lbs.) than I was for my first two marathons. The last six weeks of training, I cut my scheduled miles by 30% due to the exhaustion I felt after a half-marathon PR. So, I felt like a fat, dyspeptic, and under-trained wreck coming into this marathon. I had some doubt about breaking my 3:45 PR, let alone qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

After sleeping for the first time ever before a marathon (5 deep hours of blissful nothingness), I awoke at 4:00 a.m. to eat my cold French Toast dipped in maple syrup. I left at 5:15 to find parking, and found a nice space about 3/4's mile from the start. I lay back in my car and listened to Bob Dylan's Blood On The Tracks album. At about 6:30, I walked to the start area; I froze my noogies in my light attire of shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt over my Rhode Island Road Runners (RIRR) singlet. Luckily, the nice warm Expo tent was still setup. I waited inside the tent--thawing noogies-- until about 7:15, making a few quick friendships that wouldn't last, but were really satisfying for the half hour we sat and talked. I made a quick porto-pottie stop, and then jogged for about 15 minutes. I quickly lined up in the 7 minute per mile pace area. I wasn't going to make the same mistake I made at the VCM (starting too far back and being forced to run too slow the first mile).

The sun came up, making the air a bit more comfortable. Jimi Hendrix's version of Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" blared over the speakers, infusing me with that special joy that happens when I hear Jimi's lead guitar. I stripped down to my RIRR singlet, getting rid of the t-shirt before the race started. I knew it would be really comfy out there with temps getting no higher than 55 degrees. Five minutes before the start, I looked to my right, and there was fellow RIRR, Chris Poulos! It was good to see him.

The gun went off, and I pretty much nailed my goal pace for the first mile (8:20) with an 8:18. I wanted to get to 8:00 pace by mile 3, but didn't try to speed up. I figured it would happen naturally as I warmed up. Chris zoomed ahead of me; I quickly lost sight of him.

I saw this guy running with balloons that had 3:30 written on them. At first I wondered if that's what he paid for them, then I realized he was one of those "pace bunnies", a pacer full of positive gung-ho energy and guidance. Since I wanted to average 8:00 for the first half, I thought it would be good to keep him in my sights.

The course got hilly around mile 7, but my rolling hills training made these hills feel kind of flat. After a glorious pee break during mile 11 (with an awful 5 seconds of stage fright--was I going to be there trying to pee forever?) near a nice looking furry bush, I made it my goal to gradually catch Mr. Pace Wabbit (who conveniently took advantage of my yappy bladder, gaining thirty seconds). I caught him at the half-marathon, which I passed in 1:44:36 (7:59 pace). Right on target.

At mile 15, Chris caught me to let me know he was slowing down (I must have just passed him). He was experiencing knee pain, and decided to let go of his time goal and slow down. We gave each other encouragement, and parted ways. The fact that he he took the time to catch me and give me encouragement really empowered me. I wanted to run harder, but I said to myself "keep steady, you're on target, don't blow it." I focused on relaxing.

After making my time goal at mile 20 (2:38), I knew I had a BQ in sight, I instantly wanted to get faster, but again I told myself to keep steady and not to blow it. The last 12 miles were an out and back. There were a few rolling hills, and an incline the last few miles, but nothing too tough. I passed Chris at mile 21, we gave each other the high five. At mile 22, I again hit my time goal (2:54). "The wall" that I hit by miles 20 and 23 in my first two marathons, respectively, was not happening; I just kept racking up 7:50's on my watch. At mile 24-25, my right calf got a little ornery, basically telling me "I'm gonna cramp on you. I'm gonna ruin your dream." Well, I just focused on the muscle and said over and over (out loud) "No you're not. You're gonna hold on. You can do it. Relax. Relax. Receive the extra oxygen that I'm sending you." Well, it listened. I finished the last 1.2 miles (uphill) in 8:06 pace, never hitting the wall!

As I crossed the finish line, I saw 3:28. Just as I dreamed in my imagination. I threw my arms in the air and whooped joyfully. I qualified for Boston! I started to well-up and began breathing strangely, like a wheeze. When I saw my girl friend, Winnie, I hugged her and bawled like a baby for forty seconds (I time everything), then sucked it back up (like a good boy).

I finished with a 3:28:20 gun time and 3:28:10 chip time.

I'm happy with my performance. I finally managed to run an even pace in a marathon, without hitting the wall. I also made a negative split with the second half of the race a full minute faster than the first. I beat my PR by 17 minutes, and qualified for Boston. After the race, Winnie and I went out for a cheesesteak and fries at Sonny's Famous Steaks on Market Street. Just by chance, as we walked around drinking coffee, we ran into Ben Franklin's grave. All three goals accomplished. Okay, four.

For you splitsaholics like me:

1) 8:18
2) 8:10
3) 7:44
4) 8:04
5) 7:58
6) 8:00
7) 8:03
8) 7:49
9) 7:28 (long downhill)
10) 8:09
11) 8:27 (pee break with 5 seconds of stage fright)
12) 7:42
13) 7:48
13.1) 51
14) 7:50
15) 7:42
16) 7:56
17) 7:56
18) 7:55
19) 7:53
20) 7:53
21) 7:57
22) 7:54
23) 7:49
24) 7:51
25) 8:00
26.2) 9:43 (8:06 pace)

1st Half: 1:44:36
2nd Half: 1:43:34 (negative split!)

Chip Time: 3:28:10 Pace 7:57
Gun Time: 3:28:20

The race was well organized. The course was interesting and varied, using flat, uphill, and downhill muscles. Roads were closed to traffic, water stations were ample with water and Gatorade. There were clocks every mile, and splits were taken at miles 10, 13.1, and 20. Big crowds, but not all the time, which I like. The quiet sections along the river in the last 12 miles were nice. After race food was fruit, breads, and drinks. Great long-sleeve T-shirt and finisher's medal. The entry fee was $60.00. If the reader decides to do this race, be advised that you will pay extra for parking, refrigerator, and microwave ovens at your hotel. Avoid going to the Expo too pick up your number and chip on Friday night during rush hour. I made that mistake, and it was hell! Parking is relaxed (reads e.g. "3-4 hours parking, EXCEPT SUNDAYS") in most areas near the race, but is tough to find. So, leave for the race at least two hours beforehand, or take a cab. The other solution is to get a hotel close to the start. I recommend this marathon.