What a great day for a run. Perfect temperature, clear skies, the Austin Fit tent location right near the starting line made a great place to hook up with running partners. I'm gonna have fun today.

Great start! I love the fireworks . . . until I have to run through the smoke. Hack, cough. But the road is wide my friend, and Carmelo and I quickly settle into our rhythm for the race. I"m waving to the bands, smiling to the fans. We're going a little quick on 1st street but still a great run.

Mile 6-ish by Austin High my shoe comes untied. So I pull off to the right, and with hands still a little chilled because I just got rid of my gloves, I re-tie my right shoe. I tied it waaaaay to tight but didn't loosen it up again until just over 20.2 miles later. I've still got circulation in my left foot to compensate so I'll be fine.

Enfield and Exposition no longer scare me. We've run those enough that now I just think past these minor climbs. In fact I look back at my Garmin log and the mile along Enfield was one of my fastest of the race. Thanks to James Booher for having this uncanny "hill fetish", which I think earned him some nicknames from Robert.

People are calling my name, or saying "Go Livestrong" due to my shirt. I'm just tired enough to start thinking I actually know these people.

I'm gonna print bumper stickers that say "Ask me how much I hate Great Northern Blvd!". GAH! It doesn't matter if you run up it or down it. I appreciate the bag-piper, but this stretch could use a few more bands.

Yes, mile 20 was the half-way point in this marathon route. I begin to start calculating how quickly I can walk a 10K. I calculate if I can still PR. I calculate that I am no longer good at math, and just run. After all it's all downhill from here . . . right? Right?

I pass a friend cheering me on just past mile 23. We high-five, or low-five, or just somehow fived somewhere or other. Glad I was running at this point. He emailed me a picture he took of me. I didn't even realize he had a camera.

I pass Michele H's hubby's band playing Bon Jovi's Runaway and laugh a little bit. And then I see the San Jacinto hill. Grrr, just push it Dan!

Over the final hill and onto 11th street I begin to open up my stride. I am passing folks, and turn onto Congress. Could I be sprinting at 10th Street? My momentum begins to wane by 9th street, and I panic and search for the finish line. Dang it, I sprinted too soon! Arrrrghhhh -- I run like Charlie Brown closing in on the football! Finally I hear Evil call my name which provides me with a kick for the last 10 steps. I PR by almost 10 minutes. Woo-Hoo!!!! What a race.

While still in the chute, grabbing muchies and sipping on a cup of soup I see Robert come in. I am more happy to see his first marathon medal around his neck than I am for my PR. Congrats dude, you are a marathoner!!!!!!!

Finally, I'm not sure what felt better after the marathon, a Tequila shot at the Austin Fit tent, or a 30 minute soak down at Barton Springs pool. Let's call that a tie.