I did it!

Sophie ran a Kid Fun Run while I was racing.

Well, the goal was reached, I finished the Baltimore Marathon! I thought we had planned on a good time to arrive at the race around 7:30, but as we approached the off ramp it was dead stop traffic. Matt kept reassuring me that it would move quickly. As the minutes ticked by I started to freak out. A guy in front of us jumped out of his car and started running (we were still on the freeway). I knew that 18,000 people were participating but I never guessed the traffic would be so bad. Finally at 7:48am I jumped out of the car, which had now made it to the on ramp and started jogging, then running to the starting line and got there with about 30 seconds to spare. I ran a mile to get there so in reality I ran 27.2 miles.

I got a little cocky thinking I could maybe make the Boston marathon qualifying time of 3:40. I paced with a group that was going at the 3:40 pace. I was feeling great until mile 18, then here came the wall. I looked up and couldn't find the pace group and started to panic. I walked through the aide station and then started again. It was VERY hilly from mile 16-22. At mile 22 the 3:50 pace group passed me, causing more frustration. Then at mile 25 here comes 4:00 pace group, NO!!!!!!!!!!! But, I tried to stay positive and I finished at 4:04. I was 181 out of 1126 females and 995 total overall out of 3114 runners. All and all I am satisfied and am going on a running break. Thanks for all of the support.