For years, my wife and I have been seeing flyers for Lost Dutchman at our local running store. For years, we kept finding excuses not to make the drive to Arizona to run this race. Well, 2016 was different, we have been racing so much lately, we couldn't NOT hit the road for this race.

Leaving home a little later than anticipated, we made the trek down yonder way, hit Phoenix as rush hour traffic was waning, and was able to get to the expo with limited time until it closed up. Some of the vendors were already packing up, or gone, but the race staff were amazing. We were checked in quickly, and efficiently. Our awesome LONG SLEEVE tech shirts were put into our bags, and one of the staff members was standing by the course map, giving intel on what to expect.

Anticipated weather reports were a little more friendly than previously reported. Still, I had my hydration pack, and handheld bottle ready, just in case.

Race morning arrived & my wife, who was doing the half, dropped me off at the buses. While doing such, the LEO that was assisting in the parking was jokingly rushing me, there were no cars behind us, that I needed to hurry up. HURRY UP! HURRY UP!

In that rush, I realized I made a big mistake about 20 minutes later. I forgot my watch in the car. My wife wasn't paying attention to her phone, and didn't check her text messages. My phone was too low to use to track my run, so I figured I would run (technologically) blind.

After a bit of a drive to the start line, we got out, and were greeted by a grid of fires to help keep us warm. Runners were enjoying some warm beverages, the fires, and before long, so was I! Talking with some runners about this race, other events we have completed, and future plans, a runner wearing a race shirt for one on my 2016 calendar (Whiskey Row) and I were talking a bit more.

Before the start, I took in the awe inspiring sunrise over the Superstition Mountains, with the saguaros and desert scrub slowly becoming illuminated. My phone could not capture the views, in any way that did justice to them.

The announcement was made, time to get into the starting corral. There was an effort to organize runners into pace groups, with signs held high. This attempt is much appreciated, as the walkers that line up at the start of races are frustrating, and dangerous.

It did not take long before we started!

For the first 6 miles, we were running downhill, on a well maintained dirt road. We were about 2 miles into the race, when we saw a group of runners running up the course, guessing they missed the buses, and had to run 6 miles to the start.

By the bottom of the dirt section, we had just about a 10k behind us. Whiskey Row shirt guy gave me a heads up about our split... much faster than I had planned to run. What the heck, It felt great, let's keep it going! The two of us ran together until mile 15, or so, when he stopped to snack at an aid station. Not wanting to stop, I figured I would keep running until he caught back up.

So, I kept running. And running. Picking up a cold, wet towel at one aid station, draping it over my neck, and continuing on. Each aid station had awesome volunteers, but those giving out cold towels were my favorite!

There was a section with an out-and-back through a neighborhood. On my return trip, I spotted Whiskey Row shirt guy again, he yelled out the overall time, to that point, as I was about a mile ahead of him. Wow, I was moving well, unexpectedly well.

At mile 21 or 22, somewhere in there, I was getting warmed up again, the towel was dry, and I couldn't fight the urge to walk a little. After a brief walk, I tried to pick up the pace again, swapped out the dry towel for another cool, cold, dripping wet towel. It was like second Heaven.

Shortly afterward, we were making a little climb, and approached "The Wall" - a prop the organizers add to the course, so you can "bust through The Wall" for a great photo opp. The scenery is amazing there, with mountains, and cacti in the background. Of course, the photographer was tired by then, and didn't get a shot of most marathoners going through the prop, got some after, but not with the prop wall in the shot. Very disappointing, as I was looking forward to that photo.

The last couple miles, it seemed like the thermostat got turned up. My hydration systems were running low, my legs were heavy, and that last hill looked like a mountain (maybe a 25-30 gain). Pushing through, I rounded the final corner, and put some effort into finishing strong.

One of the things my wife and I were hoping for on this race, was for me to have a chance to see her on course. I miscalculated each race's start time, so I was only able to see a few half marathoners. However, it was awesome to see her at the finish line, as I entered the chute. I finished only a few minutes off of my PR, which was very shocking.

The after race event was great. They had quizzes for prizes on the stage, a veritable bounty of food, photo ops with 'old miners & a ghost', along with some vendors giving out samples & massages.

Really wish we hadn't waited so long to participate in this race!

Holy amazing race! Prior to NYC, my largest race was maybe 10,000 competitors, with virtually zero crowd support. I was indifferent about entering the lottery, as a friend prodded me to enter. I got in, she didn't. The more I researched the race, the more excited I became.

NYC was the first race I actually trained for, as I figured, putting that much money into travel & entry fees, I had to take it more seriously than any race before. Arriving in NYC, we dropped off our luggage at the hotel (just 2 blocks from the finish), and made our way to the Expo.

The expo was more like a mall, I am used to a packet pickup with maybe a dozen vendors, tops. The NYRR crew has their expo down pat. I pretty much walked up, grabbed my bib, got my bag, shirt, etc, and into the dangerous Asics compound next. Spending too much (or was it not enough) money on swag, gifts, and such, then wandering around the expo, I was just blown away. Giving my legs a brief break from the wandering, I sat down and enjoyed the race intel from the NYRR management, giving pointers, tips, insights, and anecdotes about the race, the course, and their experiences.

From there, it was time to wait (with an amazing run through Central Park the day before the race).

Awaking before my alarm, I didn't risk oversleeping and started getting ready. Nerves started to get to me, "What if I miss the train?" "Will I miss the bus" so on, and so forth. So, I kissed my wife bye, and told her I would see her at the finish line. Exiting the hotel, onto 79th, I orientated myself, and walked toward Broadway & the subway station that would take me to the NYC Library, for my bus to Staten Island. I greeted another pair of runners heading to the train, who were a little turned around, and were thankful for assistance to the train station.

Below street level, the platform began slowly filling in with people. Unlike most days, it seemed like each person was heading toward their start line transportation selection. Small groups formed to chat about the upcoming race, strategies, double checking preparation, etc. I began eating my breakfast, which turned out to be the best pre-race food I have found yet: Sour Cream & Onion Sun Chips.

A few runners remarked at my choice of food, with a chuckle. Before I could get too far into the bag, our train arrived. I kept double-checking which station I needed to exit, debated which possible exit to take, and finalized my decision. Turns out, I chose wisely, as I exited the station at the bus chute.

We were herded onto the buses, as soon as there were empty seats. Glad to be back out of the chilly early morning air, the bus filled up rather quickly. Seatmates became travel friends, as Staten Island was getting closer, and closer to us.

The only disappointing part to the morning was going through security. When the notes said, "Only clear bags allowed" - they really, really meant it. I couldn't bring the rest of my freaking chips into the start area. Oh well, turns out I nearly ate enough of the bag to fuel me for the entire race.

I hit up the ever growing toilet lines, for good measure, then claimed a spot of grass behind some clothing donation bins. Joking with some other runners relaxing nearby helped to kill the hours we had before race time. Growing restless, yet again, I wandered around some, checked out the color coded villages, and got my legs loosened up some.

Time was near to start, so I finished getting ready: HR strap was put on, shoes changed, sweats were removed, belt double-checked. OK, I was as ready as I was going to be.

The canons went off, and so did the elites! Each successive wave of runners that went off lead to another shower of discarded clothing at the start. It was now our time to be unleashed, and we went off strong! It was fitting to start the NYC Marathon on a quiet bridge, no sounds but those of shuffling feet, an occasional apology, and muted discussion.

One other issue with the race, wasn't the race's fault at all. My watch lost signal for the first .75 miles (approx) - as we were on the lower level of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. So, for the entire race, I could only guesstimate where I was, in relation to my time goal.

The people of NYC were absolutely, utterly, without a doubt, the most supportive, and plentiful bunch of race spectators I had ever seen in my life. I would estimate 20 miles of spectators, many times, 3-10+ deep, bands everywhere.

Organizationally, layout-wise, and any other way you could put it, the aid stations were as smooth as could be expected. With that many runners congregating in a confined area, it was bound to cause traffic jams. However, the layout, and sheer magnitude of the aid stations made it less troublesome than many smaller race I have participated in.

Coming down to First Ave, I actually spotted a person from Instagram I follow, battling some leg issues on the side of the course. I cheered her on as I went past, and entered the cacophony that is First Ave on marathon day. That is where I passed up Tiki Barber, and didn't look back!

Despite talking with the 4 hour pacer at the expo, I forgot to ask which wave/color he was in, as it seemed like there were no pacers in my wave/color. Never mind, I ran on! And ran I did, as I caught up to the 3:45 pacer a few times, dialed it back, and tried to run my race. Perhaps I could have, in hindsight, ran, and finished with, the 3:45 pacer. I wanted to run smart, and not risk falling short of my goal, by being greedy.

Being disappointed that I was going to miss my goal by a few minutes, I took a brief walk break along Central Park. The first of the race. As I took a moment to gather my thoughts, inventory my legs, and my progress, I remembered an article I read about a lady running Boston, who took a walk break. A member of the crowd hollared to her, "You didn't come to Bah-stin to WALK, did you?" With that, my legs felt energized again, and back to running I went.

Regardless of my finish time, I was determined to finish the race running. Turning the last corner, as the tree branches moved out of the way, showing the official clock, my heart leapt from my chest. I had been miscalculating our time differential all race. I was not over my desired time by 8 minutes, I watched the clock click over to 3:59:00!!! Off like a shot, I sprinted (what seemed like a sprint) to the finish, crossing in 3:59:04. My first sub-4 hour marathon, in the largest race in the world.

I still can't get this race out of my mind, I want to run it again, and again. Maybe even relax and just cruise one time, and enjoy more of the sights, take photos and video on the course, and reallllly take in the experience.

This is a race I will never forget. And don't want to, either.

HF#12205 MM#11455 DA#1638