Per my earlier post on the subject, I really got toasted at the Philadelphia Marathon. I admitted mental defeat and started focusing on the physical aspects, which are difficult to overcome once you’ve mentally “moved on.” But this year was my year. I PR’d in every race I entered: The Nashville Country Music Half Marathon (2:09), only to be beaten by my performance at the Philadelphia Distance Run (2:03). Then there was Broad Street, down to 1:29 from 1:43 last year. Deena Kastor wrote me an email. I ran the Disney Half Marathon to help my father-in-law through the last 6 miles in January. As of this writing, I have logged 745 total miles for the year. I’ve gotten faster, I can actually race the half marathon, and I had the stamina/stupidity to go through with a full marathon in November. Yes, it was a good year. If I only had hit my target of 4:30 in the Marathon it would have been perfect.

But, nothing’s perfect. My good friend at work, who is also a seasoned runner, told me to look at this first marathon experience as a “reconnaissance” mission, which is a great way to look at the experience. The things I learned about the course, about what needs to happen between miles 13-20, about having my family planted in the wrong place, as well as the importance of training with a group…it’s all in my noodle, now. And I plan on applying it once again next year, when I enter the Philadelphia Marathon, 2008 and hit a 4:30 or better.

Keep on, everyone! See you out there soon.

Gino