My timings details are here: http://results.active.com/pages/oneResult.jsp?pID=38467115&rsID=62360
The marathon got delayed by 15 minutes because of a fire near the central park area. In fact, because of it, the track was extended by about a quarter of a mile. So, I actually ran about 13.4 miles (21.6 km) in that time.
Me and few of my friends started the marathon from the very end which in retrospect doesn't seem like a good idea to me. The problem wasn't that we made it to the start line 10 minutes after the marathon had officially begun (my clock time was 2:07:32 while my chip time was only 1:57:46) but, it was the getting-past-people part which really got to me. All the zigzagging around to move ahead of slower runners didn't really help at all. And it was pretty crowded until well past the 8th mile - until the half and the full marathon tracks split!
From my timings, what is most surprising to me is that I seem to have completed the 6.8th to the 9th mile in just about 20 minutes which is the eden park upslope area (supposedly the toughest part). I expect to have made up most time between the 9th and the 12th mile - the downslope in Gilbert Ave from MLK to downtown, when I literally sprinted all the way. I was actually amazed at how much easier it is to run downslope, even when you are tired enough to drop down any second. The toughest part of the race, for me, was the final mile in downtown. I kept pushing myself as much as I could but the finish line would never come. I am glad that I could still do the entire thing without having to walk or stop in between (except for tying my shoe laces twice and a few steps while zigzagging around the traffic).
After limping around with sore feet for couple of days, I am now fit and fine and ready to gain the few pounds I have lost in the past 4 months! One thing I have realized is that I am not going to run a full marathon. May be I would be able to finish it, but the training and the effort it requires is a bit too much for me.
Before I sign off on this marathon post, I would like to thank everyone who offered their support to me as well as to AID. As I had mentioned earlier, raising funds for AID has been a major motivation for me throughout my training as well during the actual run. A lot of people seem to have visited my RunForIndia page and have offered their support. Thanks, you guys! Also, a very special thanks to those who have donated for this cause. You all rock!
Btw, if you would like, you are still welcome to donate to AID from my RunForIndia page or from the AID / AID Cincinnati websites.
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