and by mile 5 i had to stop at the first aid station and ask for relief in the form of a calf massage.
15 minutes later i was back out on the course with high hopes. i don’t remember if it was mile 6 or 7 but i decided i would run to the next mile marker, take a one minute walk break and then start running toward the next mile marker.
that worked for a while….like 30 seconds, and then the calves cramped. kept it up for the next ~13 miles.
me to myself: i must finish.
mary was tracking me so i did everything i could to cross the timing mats 