Eastside Swell: What the hell did we just do?

At mile 23 it happened, the 3:30 pace runners past me as I walked along the side of the old PCH. Just a 1/2 mile later, the 4:00 pace runners past. There goes my goals I thought, I couldn't help but feel let down. It really hurt to watch them go by, all the training, all the time, everything I had missed out on, passing by me as I walked in pain. Oh well, I set new goals at that point. I would run the final mile, no walking, no matter what! I would finish this insane thing I'd started. So I pressed on. At mile 4 I had thought to myself, what will it feel like to see that 26 on the banner. I planned to speed up, run faster across and then be done. When it actually happened, I could only think "ah shit.....another 2 tenths of a mile....for real?" I also think that this course may have been designed by Dr. Mengele because at 26 you make the turn into the military base. It then goes up the road and makes a sharp left turn causing you to think it's over, final turn and I'm done. No, no you're not, still got to turn another right hand turn, go under the bridge, then run up the final 100 yards in front of the grandstand.
I don't remember what it was felt like to cross, in fact, I'm pretty sure I didn't know where I was. I just wandered there aimlessly for a minute until Adam came over with a couple of well deserved high fives. I grabbed a water and ice towel and got myself together. Adam and I stood there for a second before heading over to talk to Chris. I had no idea, at that point how long it had taken me to do it. I couldn't help but ask Adam.

3:38.....wow, blew my mind. Adam had killed it. I am super impressed that in his first marathon, while training in NYC and beyond, he had come in at a time that most people dream of. I'm stoked for him and how hard he worked. What an accomplishment! For me, it was 4:20.22. I'm couldn't help but think that it was pretty good for how much I had walked, I guess I was moving pretty good before things went south. I'm happy to finish, but the time is a disappointment. During the race, I swore I'd never do this again, one and done. With the outcome and this time, I have to do another, I have to come in under that 4 hour mark. So when I get better, I'll be figuring out when and were to torture myself again.

Last round of pics. We're hurtin big time here.