No longer a marathon vigin...

I'm gonna give a full, detailed race report as well as the pics of the day up tomorrow on my blog but I wanted to let everyone know that I absolutely did finish.   Right now I feel like I've been hit by a truck then had a 2 ton ball dropped on my head.   I'm past exhausted. 

I think my overall time was 5:30.   I hit 'the wall' at around 18 and it just got plain ugly from there.   When I got to the halfway point (13.1 mi) I actually had a pretty good pace of around 9 minutes per mile and clocked in at just over 2 hours.   I hit 'the wall' at around mile 18 and it got UGLY from there. 

Here's a link to the article they did about me from from the Times Picayune that was published in this mornings paper.

http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports- 36/120383418613170.xml&coll=1

Mike Montelbano, the reporter that did the story, did a wonderful job on the article and having people on the route shout, "Hey...  464 guy!  Are you the guy from the paper?" helped out so much.   3 minutes after I crossed the finish line, which unfortunately I was so exhausted I only remember bits and pieces, Mike had a tape recorder in my face so he could do a follow-up piece tomorrow.  Oh... blubbering crybaby at start and especially for the last quarter mile and the finish of the race?  CHECK!   :)

And a couple pics of right before I bonked.   The rest of the pics that my girlfriend took at the start / finish and at the halfway point I'll post tomorrow.

http://www.team464.com/images/mardigrasmarathon/marathon-cit ypark1.jpg
http://www.team464.com/images/mardigrasmarathon/marathon-cit ypark2.jpg

Most importantly...  The words of encouragement that you guys offered me was a MAJOR factor in me pushing out the last 6.2 miles.   I can't thank you guys enough.   When I wanted to hop on the 'quitter bus' at City Park a few times I just thought about the kind words and the encouragement and I pushed them on out.  

Today will go down as one of the greatest and most memorable days of my life and crossing the finish line will be in my top 3 of the greatest experiences of my life!

Thanks again guys!  I run for you!

Chad.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is a great accomplishment. You are a true inspiration! That is a FART that the stink wont ever leave it will just linger the rest of your life. Again congratulations. So how far are you going to run tomorrow?

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!! I must admit that I am choking back a few tears from being inspired right now! Keep it up.

Truly amazing Chad. Awesome job, looking forward to the whole story and pictures. You are the man!!

----- 
Even the toughest criminals become remarkably docile 
 once separated from society by six feet of soil. 

Chad You are the MAN!!!!  

AWESOME CHAD!!! CONGRATS!! I never had any doubts that you would do it. Man, THAT is the definition of inspiration to me!  That story was great.

You are kind of a studly looking guy in those pics.    Congrats on finishing and welcome to the club.  Nobody can ever take it away from you.  Until the day you die, you will have your first marathon story.   Congrats. We will talk about running the tangent later! Scott

Chad, congratulations man!!  You are an inspiration to all of us and especially the guys in the Locker Room.  Your courage and determination on those lasts 6.2 miles shows a lot about you.  You can be sure those of us in Locker Room are very proud of you!  You are the MAN!!!!!!!!   

You did it man!! My sincere congratulations on what is truly an outstanding and inspiring accomplishment. Great article in the paper and you look strong during the run. Cool Team 464 shirt also. By the way, I've always said they will have to peel me off the side of the road before I get into the "meat wagon." Sounds like you have similar feelings about not finishing a race. Enjoy the high for the next "rest of your life" Chad. You earned it!! Boner

Wow!  That's great!   I don't think I ever even walked over 25 miles when I was younger and thin and I loved to go for long walks then.  You are an inspiration to us all.  Since most of the men in the locker room will never run that much, I encourage them to go for charity walks.  Like you, they can set goals and hopefully achieve them. One thing I've noticed about many of the successful men who post here is that they have been goal oriented with their weight and then become goal oriented with other aspects of their lives