Ok – this is my first race report and also my first marathon. First of all I would like to thank everyone in the Pine Belt Pacer running family. It’s great to be a part of such an elite group and without the advice, support, and encouragement from my fellow pacers, I would not have been successful. So Thanks to everyone!

It was 47 degrees at start time which was 20+ warmer than last year. It was an absolutely beautiful day for running. I ran the first 13.2 with Dwayne Higgason who did awesome. He set a PR for the half at 2:05 and would have been faster but he chose to stay back with me. I made it fine till about mile 18. I was laughing and talking. At 18 miles, it started getting serious. At 22 miles, it got real serious. No fun anymore and 4 still to go. People said I over-trained but it took every bit of the training along with some race day magic and the support of my Fantastic Four buddies to get me through this one. At mile 24 I actually began to realize I was going to finish this damn thing. And then, with less than a mile to go, I heard a familiar voice from behind. Scott Martin was on my heels eating Bops Custard and smiling as he ran with no distress. Determined to beat him to the finish line, I stepped it up a notch and made it. It was great to run into Autozone Stadium with all the excitement there and to hear my name called over the loud speaker. As I crossed the finish line, I was wrapped with foil, adorned with a gold metal, and had a chip cut off my shoe. I then walked to the infield and collapsed. I just laid there and cried for about 15 minutes. It was such an overwhelming experience. Words can’t explain it, but all my fellow pacers who have done this before know exactly what I am talking about. What’s next? I don’t know. Will I do it again? I don’t know. But at least I can say – I did it! This was definitely the most physically challenging experience of my life and the most rewarding.

©Andrew Maxwell