Cellcom Green Bay Marathon Race Report

26.2 Miles 2:42:32 P.R. 6:11 average per mile
7:00 am) upper 40's Sunny & Very Windy! 20-30 mph +
12th Overall 1st Master

Day started at 3:30 am. I always like to get up very early
before my big races. I eat as soon as I get up. I ate a bagel
with peanut butter and honey. I also had a banana and
some orange juice. Then I always take a long hot shower
to wake me up and warm up the body and help get the
blood circulating.

My friend Mike and I left his place at 5:30 am. We headed
to Lambeau field. We arrived around 5:45. We went inside
the atrium to stay warm and get out of the wind which
was already blowing and continued all day. Stayed inside
till about 6:45. I did a short warm up less than 5 minutes
but enough to be warm at the start.

I lined up near the front and the gun went off at 7:00 am.
Like always everyone is sprinting from the start so you
pretty much have to go with it for the first half mile or so.
My first mile was a bit fast but it felt easy 5:57. My goal
was to run the mile in 6:10 and then try to run around
6:04 miles the rest of the day. I knew this strategy would
probably not work well today as the winds were crazy.

I ran the smartest race I ever ran today. I found a pack
of runners to run with and I stuck with them like glue.
I didn't worry about pace really at this point I just knew
I couldn't be dropped or I would be working much harder.
The group I was with stayed together for a good amount
of time. At around mile 11 the half marathoners split of
from the marathoners. I figured we would lose some as
more people run the half than the full.

By mile 12 it was just me and 2 other guys. We had a few
miles at this point where we would actually have some tail
wind. We new though we would need to use this to rest up
a bit before the course would actually head back towards
Green Bay and right into this strong wind.

The other 2 guys and I did some chit chatting and found
out this was both of theirs first Green Bay marathons.
Eric is from Chicago, and Jim is from Albany, N.Y.
Both had P.R.'s in the 2:30's. So I knew I was running
in some good company. So around mile 17 we had to deal
with the headwinds for about 5 miles. I was not running
as strong as the other 2 guys so I let them block the wind
and I tucked in behind. I felt bad that I couldn't help
out more but I had to do what was best for me.

The three of us or as one fan called out the 3 Amigo's
stuck together till around mile 22. At this point I lost
contact with the 2 of them but was fine with that as I made
it through the tough part. The last 4 miles was back
towards the stadium and had no more headwinds to speak
of.

My pace held up well but fatigue and soreness was setting
in and I was ready to be done. Mile 25 I could see Lambeau
and that gives you a adrenaline boost. Then you get to run
inside Lambeau for a lap around the field. I was pumped at
this point I new I had done it.

Finished with a 7 minute 30 second P.R.!!! My goal was to
run 2:40 but couldn't be happier with 2:42 in those conditions.

My brother ran the marathon today as well so it was a family
affair. My parents drove up to cheer us on and made the
day that much more special. My niece was also involved as
she helped out with the finish line and handed out awards
at the award ceremony. My niece presented me with both
my awards which was very cool. I got an award for my age
group 40-44 1st and Master category 1st.

Tomorrow I head back to Colorado. I think my training really
paid off and I got to say a big thanks to my coach. Thanks
Tim for all your help. I really appreciate it.