26.2 miles, Done!

Hello Friend,

Many of the people on this mailing list have been contacting me asking about the marathon yesterday. It was HOT! However, I finished with a time of 4 hours 38 minutes. This is 2 minutes slower than my slowest marathon. I walked often during the second half of the race. It was too hot and water stations were too far apart for the heat to run all the time.

When I reached mile 23, the police were telling runners that the race was canceled and to stop running. They told us that CTA buses were on their way to pick us up. Many people, including myself, ignored the order and kept running. After enduring 23 miles, we were too close to the finish not finish on our own. In the last 3.2 miles the police kept pleading with runners to stop running. A helicopter flew over head with a loud speaker ordering runners to walk. The clocks at the mile markers were turned off. The city was full of emergency vehicles with sirens blaring. Very surreal.

The spectators were great. There was someone cheering the runners on along the entire course. Even after the police were telling runners to stop, the spectators kept cheering runners on.

Thanks for all the prayers, encouragement you gave me leading up to the marathon. I really appreciate it. It helped me not to give up. Also, I ran for to raise money for WorldVision. Knowing that the children living with AIDS in Africa endure much more pain and discomfort than I could ever imagine help me endure the heat. Many thanks to all who helped me raise $830 for the charity.

Today, my legs are tight. I’m walking a little funny. Surprisingly, my knee held up rather well.

I’m not sure what is next. I still feel real good. I am signed up for the Disney World Marathon in January, but the Fall marathon season is still young.

Thanks again for all your support.

-paul eident