
That’s me at Mile 19 finally seeing Rachel. Notice I’m not running, I’m clutching a stroller for stability and there is a fire truck behind me. I think this picture best summarizes the marathon. It was hot. 92 degrees at peak. My IT band started to scream at me around mile 15, and then pretty much gave out at mile 22. From that point on it was just a battle to keep moving forward. From what I’ve read, more than 95 people were taken to the hospital on Saturday during the race and one 25 year old died at the finish line from a heart attack. When the Chicago marathon of 2007 reached these temperatures they ran low on water and canceled the race altogether. The Nashville Marathon was very well organized and there was plenty of water throughout. After all the training, I’m glad they didn’t cancel the race, but it was pretty ugly out there. All that being said, it was still a great weekend. Better for the company & food than the marathon, but at least we all finished & even managed to celebrate over beer and an amazing dinner afterwards. I’ll write a separate post about great food and music of Nashville.

Thanks again to everyone that donated to my race and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In all, we raised over $1,650!
For a humorous video of my finish, click here, find the “Race Day Live Video Archive” button on right side of page. Click that, type in my name and you’ll see me hobble across the line at 4:28:10.

4 comments
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April 29, 2009 at 12:22 pm
jebensch
Is that you with the hobbledy-gobbledy fist-pump!? Oh man that is good stuff.
April 30, 2009 at 4:31 am
Craftmafia
Good job, E. I’m super impressed. After limping 10 miles, I tried very hard to jog the last 20 feet over the line and just started bawling with pain. I was so angry that I had to walk over the finish. Oh well. Truthfully, that’s the only thing that makes me want to attempt it again. But thankfully, those thoughts pass, and I realize how much my body hated me for about a year afterwards.
Very well done.
April 30, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Fred
That’s the way to finish strong. Pain is temporary, glory is forever!
April 30, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Weiss
Great form!