Marine Corps Marathon 2007 (DNF)

This was my eigth consecutive Marine Corps Marahon marathon, 15th overall since October 2000. The weather was close to perfect for a marathon. The weather was sunny and cool with a nice breeze.

My goal was to aim for another PR with a target of 3:10 completion, or roughly a 7:15 pace.

As is customary for me, almost a tradition for the MCM, I began the race with a light run to the starting line. Consequently, I had to spend a lot of time weaving through the thousands that had gotten a timely start. The first 6 miles of the course have some respectable hills. After that, it's pretty much flat.

Between the crowds and the hills, I wasn't hitting my target pace. Fortunately, the downhills allowed me to make up my time. After the hills, I kept a solid 7:10 pace and was staying constant. I got to Haines Point and was still going strong but after I passed Mile 19 and was hit by stomach cramps. That was it. As painful a choice it was for me, I decided it was best not to go on.

My first DNF ever. If I didn't have the recent Baltimore Marathon experience as consolation, it would have been a much bigger let down. Because my legs still felt strong, I entertained the notion of finding another marathon to accomplish the following weekend. Instead, I'll defer to Boston 2008 in April and leave myself plenty of room for improvement.