The marathon for me was quite a learning experience.

Before I explain the race itself, let me preface with a few of the mistakes I made on the way in. One of the biggest issues I had coming into this marathon was, quite frankly, lack of preparation, and I only have myself to blame. With an extremely hectic schedule jugging many projects, I failed to follow my own running schedule. While I was adamant about running the long runs, an injury and some missed workouts kept me from going the full 20 mile (32km) distance I had intended to ... I did this once as opposed to the three times on my schedule. My long runs were 17 miles, 20 miles, and 15 miles respectively.

My taper was a bit long, too. Again, I had performed my weekend longer runs but failed to get any appreciable volume during the week until a few weeks before and then it was too late. Couple that with a longer layoff before the race and you'll see where I'm coming from.

The second issue is weight. I had maintained around a 210 weight right up until several weeks prior. Then, when I stopped running as much for the taper and the fact that I was missing workouts, I did not change my nutrition and gained 5 pounds. Yup, I came to the starting line at 215 despite my earlier goals to actually DROP weight and be sub-200. Again, I used excuses (too busy, etc) but the bottom line is that nutrition is something that happens regardless of your schedule and can always be managed if you focus strongly enough. I did not focus.

Despite this I know I have a strong will and I came into the race with confidence. While I started with the 4:30 pace group, I told my wife and daughter to wait for me anywhere between 4:30 and 5:30 hours. I knew to expect the unexpected.

I toyed with the idea of bringing along my own hydration as I had been training with some specific products but in the end, realizing there would be a PowerAde station every other mile, decided to go light. I did bring some salt caps and PowerShots.

The morning of the race I woke up at 3am. I had half a bagel and an iced coffee and began drinking some Gatorade before the race. I finished the other half of the bagel later. I intentionally stopped drinking 2 hours before the race so I would not have to use the restroom and knew I would load up on the first aid station.

We drove down and were parked by 5am. We managed to get into a parking deck right by the Start/Finish which was nice. My girls "camped out" in the truck while I went to explore and get ready for the race. At that hour the toilets had no lines and I was able to take care of all of my business well before the race.

The throngs began to arrive at the start awhile later so I stepped into the start area. The pace teams were scattered and I did not see the 4:30 but ironically as it all began to form together I finally found myself next to the group.

It was very inspirational and exciting. The weather was perfect - it was not a cold morning, but cool, and the city looked amazing.

When they told us to start, I made the decision that I was not going to worry about my pace group and just settle into a comfortable stride. It turned out to be around a 10:30 pace. I wasn't trying to pace myself, just doing something I felt I could maintain. I felt phenomenal, and looked forward to the 26.2.

I started doing alphabet soup in my mind. My daughter had asked about the marathon distance so I explained it by comparing miles to letters of the alphabet. Psychologically, it was easier to focus on "this is my A mile, this is my B mile, etc" than to look at the actual mile and worry about how far we had to go.

I sweat ... a lot. I used to think it was due to my weight (remember I used to be obese at over 245 pounds with a 44" waist) but even when I was my leanest (178 pounds with a 31" waist) I would sweat profusely ... I can easily lose 1 - 2 pounds for every mile that I run. So, hydration is important for me and especially electrolytes - if you go to my earlier training journals, you can see the consistent crashing and severe stomach pains I endured until I started integrating electrolytes properly into my training.

So the first stop came up quickly and I had to cut over to the opposite side. It was a made scramble and the first few desk ran out of cups. I finally grabbed one and decided I just need to drink that quick cup and there would be plenty more aid stations to get more down the road when the crowds thinned out a bit.

The marathon itself was beautiful. We wound through some incredible neighborhoods and the support was awesome. People were lined up, shouting, cheering people by name, ringing cowbells, and playing loud music. I felt great and was steadily keeping my 10:30 pace.

The next aid station I heard some grumbling and then figured out why. They were out. Nothing left. No PowerAde, no water. A lot of people had some choice words. I still felt fine and decided it wouldn't be a big deal: I could pick it up the next one.

Then we passed two stations that just ... weren't there. The signs were there promising water and PowerAde up ahead, but when we got there ... nothing. Not even discarded cups to indicate they had run out. The grumbling was a little bit louder now. On a typical 8 mile run I would consume 32 ounces of water with electrolytes, I was going on 10 miles and a 6 oz cup. I still felt great and wasn't worried.

After mile 10, many of the houses in the neighborhoods were providing water from hoses, etc, and had set up their own aid stations. We hit a few steep hills and I slowed my pace but still felt good. I kept drinking water as none of the Aid stations had PowerAde - it was all water. Fortunately, I did have my salt caps so I took those.

As much as I hate mango, I knew I needed calories so someone offered a mango ClifShot and I took it. It tasted great but I needed more liquids, which I received ... from that point one, the aid stations were well stocked with water. One even had PowerAde, but that was it - just one.

I started to feel a little bogged down but not bad. I had fallen from a 10:30 pace to an 11:00 pace. A few more hills slowed me down and then I started reaching sections that were in full-on sunlight. I was expecting the heat and by this time thought I had caught up on my hydration, but I was getting noticeably dizzier and had to slow my pace. Again, I didn't mind. This was about finishing and having fun, and I was determined to do both (I was having a lot of fun so far).

I continued on and we alternated between sections in shade and sunlight.

Then I turned onto Freedom Parkway. This was a long, straight stretch. It was mostly in direct sunlight and by the time I reached it, it was near noon. It was encouraging, though, to see that it was an out-and-back, and the "back" portion would cross me over the 20 mile mark and then only "6 miles to home." I felt butterflies of excitement knowing I was about to be 3/4 of the way through with my first marathon.

The sunlight was brutal to me. My shirt was now completely drenched and felt liked it weight a ton. I kept plodding forward but my eyes were swimming. I grabbed some water and then this is where my mind started playing tricks with me ... I didn't realize until afterwards I was probably not drinking enough water (one or two cups per aid station, but with my sweating could have probably been two or three) ... I began to worry, "Am I drinking too much?" I didn't want to chug too much water and then have stomach pains, so I just drank a cup. After all, ahead the path crossed under a bridge in the shade and was downhill for a bit.

I came out from under the bridge and then things got crazy for me. I was right at mile 19. Suddenly I just felt cramping all over my body. Cramping probably isn't the right word, it was a sudden soreness. Now through my bodybuilding I learned to take a lot of pain - it's the only way I was able to coax my muscles into growing, by pushing hard with heavy weights - so the pain didn't bother me, it was my physical inability to move. I did a "ring finger check" (I use my wedding ring to gauge how much water I was retaining) and it was stuck - my hands were just puffy. Then my feet started aching and I realized my feet were swollen as well.

I kept pushing forward and realized I'd probably be finishing doing a 14 or 15 minute pace. No bother, I had a strong first half - in fact, I'd gone 19 miles so far, farther than I'd ever run in a race before. And just 7 more to go!

Then I got dizzy and felt nauseas and had to sit down. I felt my pulse and it was racing, despite the fact I had only been barely shuffling along.

I decided to call my wife to check in but there was no answer. I waited for a few minutes, got up, started shuffling again. Again, a wave of nausea, dizziness, and pulse through the roof. Now I started to get scared.

At this point in retrospect I have to ask about my sanity on the course. It could be I was freaking out over nothing. But if I was in doubt, I could have also pushed on to the medical tent and found out for certain. If it was in my head, they could have given me their blessing and sent me on my way. I think I was dehydrated, and perhaps I could have re-hydrated at a nearby station. Who knows.

The point is, I decided to push to the medical tent and at least cross the 20 mile mat, but every time I started to even jog I'd get dizzy again. After doing this 4 or 5 times, I realized how ridiculous it was. I was at Freedom Parkway and Boulevard. The race course was 7 more miles, however the start was about 1.5 miles from where I was.

I decided to take myself out of the race.

It was the hardest decision I've made. I knew it wasn't healthy how I was feeling. It wrenched my gut to think of my wife and daughter waiting for me at the finish and not seeing me go through the chute or having my name called, but at this rate I was only able to walk at about a 20-minute pace.

Again, in retrospect, the decision to head to the start was not wise at all. In fact I was dehydrated, but by cutting back to the start, I took myself off the race route and away from any support. Despite the disappointment with the PowerAde and few water stations, the race WAS well supported with lots of staff and medical tents throughout.

I found myself trying to walk back to the start and once again would get dizzy every few blocks and have to rest. I realized I needed fluids but didn't have any cash on me. So, I went into a gas station restroom and guzzled water from the faucet. After this, I was able to work my way back to the start line. It took me about 45 minutes to go 1 1/2 miles. I called my wife and she was confused to hear I was at the finish but hadn't been called in the chute. We located each other and I got my chip cut off.

I drank a water they had, ate a cookie but couldn't stomach it, then got back to the car and drank some more water and Gatorade. I estimate I had about 48 oz of fluids on the way back, but when I weighed myself at the house I was still down two pounds!

At any rate, the decision not to finish is one I'm okay with ... I'd rather be safe than risk pushing it in the heat. I do wish I would have had the sense to get the opinion of the staff rather than trying to self-diagnose on the race field, and definitely kick myself for taking myself off the course. I should have at least walked to the medical tent, which was also only a mile way. They may have had me drink some water and be on my way or they may have said there was a problem and helped me take a safe shuttle back .. either way, it was unwise to just come off the course and I won't make that mistake again.

The only disappointment was with my daughter and wife. For some reason it really tears my heart that I did not get to come through that shoot and meet them. However they are both so supportive and it really was a joy having their support at the finish line.

So, now I know a few things. I will definitely be sure to bring money in my pouch - when the stations had no Gatorade, there were a few convenience stores I could have ducked into to purchase from them. I will also bring my own fluids as backup, and of course need to focus on better training leading to the event.

In lieu of what happened, my goal for the ultra-marathon will also be delayed. It is still a goal, but I need to master the marathon before I think about tackling the ultra. So I will be looking for a good marathon to target for the end of this year, and then based on that will set a new date for my ultra.

I've got some organizing to do. I also felt having a few extra pounds wasn't a big deal because I'm eating healthy and running far. Now I realize how much negative impact that had as well, so it's time to get serious about shedding some weight to improve my time on the track as well.

Thanks for all of the support ... it is tough to admit defeat but I won't call it failure because I have learned much.

Warmly,

Jeremy Likness