Chip time: 3:54:07 (8:56)
Problems: Carb-unloading issues
Feeling: Great. I had a fantastic time and just enjoyed myself.

Gun-time splits:

First 10K: 53:48 (8:40)
Halfway: 1:55:01 (8:47)
30K: 2:44:07 (8:49)
35K: 3:12:51 (8:52)
Final: 3:56:42 (9:02)

After an unplanned stop around mile 17, when I realized I wasn’t going to do the whole race with my 3:45 pacers (on track before then), I decided to just relax and enjoy myself. I had plenty of energy to high-five people and thank everyone for coming out in brutal weather. By about mile 23 I was slowing down, mainly because of my lack of gym/track time since NYC. I probably could have dug down deeper, but I figured that I was still making decent time and decided to just have a fantastic event instead. That was my birthday present to myself.

This was the fastet, lowest pressure, most comfortable, and nicest marathon I’ve done to date (my 4th). That’s pretty cool.

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