Marathon #11: Lake Placid Marathon, NY

4:02 finish, 135/376 place overall. Nice rolling course in the Adirondacks on mostly 2-lane highways; hilly but not too severe considering the location. Mild weather, not too warm for June. Fair support for a rural location. Almost broke four hours but major uphill during the last mile got me.

Garmin map and performance details

Marathon #10 (added DC for second round): National Marathon, Washington, DC

3:59 finish, 976/2325 place overall. Same scenic and relatively flat course as National Marathon last year; sunny with unseasonably warm temperatures, but not enough to greatly hamper performance. Steady and relatively fast pace, first time under four hours since May 2007.

Garmin map and performance details

Marathon #9: New York City Marathon, NY

4:06 finish, 17306/43545 place overall. Ideal running weather with great support as usual for NYC. Much improved pace over last year's NYC Marathon and even more so over SF in July.

Garmin map and performance details

Marathon #8 (second round state #2): San Francisco Marathon, CA

4:48 finish, 3304/5036 place overall. Course was hilly but scenic with cool temperatures and fog early - typical for summer in SF and perfect for running. Felt strong through early miles in spite of hills, but hit "wall" hard with nausea and overall exhaustion around mile 20. Had to run/walk last six miles even though it was the flattest part of the course. Probably pushed too hard on hills early. Worst finish time to date.

Garmin map and performance details

Marathon #7 (added DC): National Marathon, Washington, DC

4:11 finish, 1151/2041 place overall. Sunny and seasonably cool early spring day - great for running. Mostly flat course and much to look at running past many D.C. landmarks. Average time; 13 seconds slower than Disney.

Garmin map and performance details