Last weekend, on 10/13/12, I completed the Baltimore Marathon. Though the temperature was a bit chilly at the start line (in the 40s), it was a great day to run! A record-breaking 26,000+ people participated in the Baltimore Running Festival that day which includes the full marathon, half marathon, and the 5K, and the organizers did an excellent job with the entire event.
My goal for the race was to run the race at a 10-minute mile pace. I felt that this was aggressive, but achievable because I was able to perform at that speed during my 20-mile training run. However, I have always struggled with leg cramps during races, and I was worried that this would be no exception. In past marathons, the distance at which my leg cramps occur has been getting better. The first race was at 16 miles, then 18, then 20. For this marathon, I did not get leg cramps until around mile 21, and they were manageable! My overall time turned out to be 4:22:33. Only 33 seconds short of my goal. 10.01 minute miles.
I am thrilled with my time, and I hope to improve this even further before my Boston marathon in April of 2013. I don't want to keep Kyle and his family waiting too long at the finish line especially since Bizzo my need to be let out. :)
Stay tuned as I prepare for my next marathon on 1/13/13 at Disney in Orlando.
