Done and done!

That's right, my dear blog friends, I survived my marathon. Because I'm not real big on race reports, let me sum it up with the following:
Miles 0-13: Feeling good!
Miles 13-20: Feeling ok
Miles 20-26.2: Feeling like I'm going to cry and/or trip on the leg that I can now hardly lift.

I know. Real original. Other things I took note of:
1. I saw a girl wearing two race chips. Now, I'm sure there's some legitimate reason why she might do so (one is old and she never took it off like those guys who have a billion lift tickets on their winter jacket??), but given that I love a good scandal, I'm going to say she's suspect.
2. Some guy ran barefoot. Hope he had his tetanus shot.
3. Granted I only heard this for a few seconds as he zipped the other direction during an out and back area, but I think one of the pacers may have been spouting propaganda. For those few seconds, I was glad to not be a 3:40ish marathoner.

Stats:
Chip Time - 4:39:57
Pace - 10:41
Those are about the only stats the marathon apparently feels like giving out without a fight.

I'm really quite happy with my choice to run Vancouver. The volunteers were awesome. There were a ton of gel and hydration stations, all of which had enough supplies to let you take all you wanted. Tons of post-race food. Organization was tops. The doctors/nurses/volunteers at the med stations were doting. The course was a great tour of town. Etc. etc. etc. I really could not have asked for more from a race. So thank you very much to all of those who helped put on the race this year as well as the city of Vancouver. We had a great time!

But just as important, thanks to all of you. It's been incredible how much encouragement and support I've received from my readers, most of whom have never even met me. It really has meant the world to me.