Weather was perfect conditions, 50's with sun and scattered clouds.  It was a bit cold to start, but I knew within minutes of running, the cold edge would be gone and having a chill would be helpful.

I kept to a pace plan for negative splits so I started off conservatively slower.  My target pace was 11 min/mile for the first 3 miles, then 10:45/mile for the next three, then 10:30 for the next three, then 10:00 for the next three, then 9:30 for the next 6, then 10:00 for the remaining of the race.

It was a great strategy.  I wasn't really able to run as slow as I wanted so for the first 12 miles I was at a 10:30 pace then was able to keep my plan.  So for the first 12 miles I was passed....a lot.  But for the remaining 13 miles I was at a constant pace passing folks.  Only in the last mile was I slowing down and having two folks pass me by.  It really felt great.

I had learned a bit to make sure to keep cool and starting around mile 12, at every water station I just dumped the first two cups of water down my back.

It was a stellar day and in the end I beat my last person record by 30 minutes to finish at 4hours 28 minutes.  The only real mistake I made was at the final 150 feet when I saw the clock ticking down and the announcer kind of goaded me into making a burst to beat 4 hours 30 minutes...I should have known that was a mistake and more importantly known that my time was a good minute off the clock because I started to far back in the pack.  Never again will I fall for the burst for the finish to shave a few seconds off the clock...not worth it.  I got so nauseous.  Thankfully I didn't stress my muscles out but felt terrible in the tummy for a good 15 minutes because of the push.  I had been feeling fine up until then.

Something to learn for next time....Nov 17th in Philly in memory of my friend Jonah Adels.