Day of the Marathon

I feel accomplished that I finished the marathon but like every marathon i've run i'm paying the price physically for the run.  Official time was 3 hours 51 minutes 21 seconds (3:51:22).  I'm very satisfied with the time although I dont run for the time I only run to finish.  The day of the marathon for me is the most exciting because all the training you have done is culminated into a single day.  Luckily the morning was cool so the run was enjoyable up to about mile 22.  I struggled at the end and did do some walking the last few miles,  I staggered my run to walk every quarter mile after 22.  It happens every marathon that I start out too fast and my legs end up paying the price.  Just like the rest when I got home I couldnt walk upstairs, my legs have cramped up so badly that just getting through the day is enough.

Even though I'm in a fair amount of pain it was completely worth it.  Nothing can compare to finishing a marathon.  A couple of toes may have been broken along the way but we will wait to find out on this until tomorrow.   To put my time in perspective to what the best runners, at least for Duke City have run.  They finished in roughly 2:30.  My heart rate never rose above 160 the entire distance and met several really helpful runners.  It is at the end of each marathon that I think, what is my next race?  For now, I think I will enjoy about 4 days off of running before I make a commitment to anything else this year.  Im completely overtended with work and school to even think about it.  I figure by Wednesday or Thursday I will have found the next one which helps me set goals and stay healthy.  I burned roughly 3000 calories and lost 6 pounds, which is obviously water weight but tonight I will eat what I want and go to bed early.