Final time: 4:18:42I'm not really sure what to write in this race report. It's a bit of a contradiction because my time was not what I wanted or envisioned, but I did run well, when I was able to run.
The day was perfect, absolutely perfect for running a marathon. I felt good, I felt strong, I felt rested, I felt confident, I was sure I could do it. I started off at a great pace, I found my groove and kept thinking to myself that if I could keep this up, I would finally break 4 hours.
At 10k, I had a slight twinge in my butt and remember thinking that was kind if weird, that's never happened before.
Keep running, 11-12k is mostly downhill so I picked up a few seconds on that part, kept it steady after that, but by 15k my piriformis was really giving me grief. I remember thinking NO, NO, NO, this can't be happening, but reality said it was. I can't remember where I saw Size5, (maybe 19k?), I told her i was in pain and she offered to find me some Tylenol. Poor Krista, she asked every single person she saw for some drugs.
She found one Tylenol which I took and it did nothing to ease the pain, so a few kilometers later I laid down on the grass and Krista used her elbow to try and work out the knots. I'm sure that was a petty sight. 
I wasn't giving up, I would run while I could and walk when I had to. When I ran, I did run strong, I had good form and I ran a good pace, then things would tighten up again and I'd have to walk and massage. I used a couple of park benches
, and Krista used her elbows one more time. She found some Ibuprofen, but by this time it was quite late in the race and time had already slipped away. The IB must have kicked in because the last 2k didn't feel too bad, or I was just happy it was almost over.
There is a nasty short steep hill right at the end and I managed to run that hill and run strong into the finish line.During the whole marathon I felt good (except my butt). I never felt depleted of energy, my breathing was good, my posture was good, I never "shuffled".
Of course I'm disappointed with how things turned out, but I can honestly say this is the best I've run (when I ran), if that makes any sense.
ONE DAY, I WILL SEE A 3!!
I just want to give a HUGE shout out to Size5. I don't know words to describe it, but she is the total BOMB!!!
In the meantime I will always admire your dedication and amazing attitude.
