A Fantastic Marathon in Scenic Maine!

Start of the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  I'm in the top center - blue hat, purple singlet over a white shirt!

Start of the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  I'm in the top right with my head turned - blue hat, purple singlet over a white shirt!

I completed the Maine Marathon this weekend and enjoyed every minute of it!  Here are some highlights:

• So many inspirational runners raising money for many good causes!  The MA Team-In-Training team was only 10 runners out of thousands who ran this weekend.
• Ran with KC Fitch of Portland, ME, who was also part of the MA team.  She was a great running partner!  We helped each other stay on pace and execute a sound race strategy.  Thanks KC!
• The coaches from Team-In-Training kept our spirits up, and made sure we were running strong!  It was great to have such support.  
• The views along the route were spectacular.  Downtown Portland, Casco Bay, Yarmouth, foliage, beautiful historic homes, and rolling hills.
• The music was great.  Live music at many of the water stops.  Really helped in the last few miles!
• Wonderful volunteers.  My family, Stacie, Mia and Michael, volunteered at the 4.6 mile water stop.  They were great volunteers and had fun doing it!
• I ran a personal best by more that 2 minutes (see below).

Finishing strong at the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  Go Team!

I placed 252nd out of 923 runners; 183rd out of 519 male runners, and 24th out of 55 men in my age group.  My half marathon time was 1:52:22, my marathon time was 3:46:41, and my pace was 8:41 minutes/mile.  Best race of my life!  I couldn't have asked for a better day, a better group of people to run with, or a better cause to support!

Thank you to everyone who supported me!  Thank you to my family for enjoying the weekend with me and for volunteering at the 4.6 mile water stop You did a great job!

For those of you aspiring to run a marathon...do it, and let me know!  I'll be happy to run with you!

Until then, run happy, and run strong!

Peace!