My apologies for the posting delay. My overall marathon experience was a pleasant one. I continue to be impressed with the organization and the helpfulness of the volunteers.

Saturday turned out to be a warm day, which I expected. When I got dropped off at my pick-up point at 5:40 a.m., I was already warm. In past years it was a bit chilly for pre-race preparations, so I knew it was only going to get hotter.

I didn’t feel any negative effects until around miles 15 and 16. There was some tightness around the side and back of my knees, and I kept telling myself that I can’t believe there’s still 10-11 miles to go. Once I got into Duluth and about 20 miles in, I got a second wind. It felt good to be in familiar territory and see people I knew every few blocks. It gave me an extra boost to keep going.

Around mile 22, my legs began to stiffen up/cramp. I never completely stopped, but I was a bit liberal with walking in the final four miles.

Around mile 24 (just beyond Fitger’s) there was a guy (probably a little younger than me) who was struggling to run. He was from Milwaukee and running his first marathon. I was walking a bit at the time, and we encouraged each other to keep running. That was cool for about one mile until I had to use the facilities — badly. There I was, in Downtown Duluth without a Biffy in sight. I thought to myself, "Would any of these stores let me in to use the bathroom?" Finally, right before the turn down 5th Avenue West, I found an outhouse and took care of business.

Crossing the finish line felt great. I picked up my finisher’s medal and T-shirt. They were out of mediums (which I guess is motivation to finish in better than 5 hours next time), so I took a small as opposed to a large. I figured I’d rather have the shirt look like it was painted on me instead of it looking like a night gown.

My chip time (starting line to finish line) was 5 hours, 1 minute, 35 seconds. Not bad for one eight-mile run and a handful of shorter runs for training.

My friend, Mike, did awesome. He finished the marathon in around 3:30. Great job, buddy!

Recovery was fine. My legs were a little stiff the next day, but better than the first time I ran three years ago. My soccer team had a game on Sunday afternoon and we only had 11 guys show up — meaning no subs. I played a full 90 minutes on defense and actually felt pretty good. The only problem: my toe got stomped on (the same toe that shelved me for a week last month). My big left toe is black and blue under the nail and still hurts three days later. My consolation prize: I got to ride in one of those motorized carts at the grocery store later that night while shopping, so I guess it was worth it.

I might set my sights on the half-marathon next year and actually run for time. It’s going to be a lot easier for me to train knowing it’s only 13.1 miles. My half time during the marathon was 2:15. I’d like to go all-out in a half and see what happens, then run the full marathon in 2009.

I have an enormous amount of respect for all runners, especially the hardcore ones. A lot of them look like they’re three weeks into a hunger strike, but they’re some of the strongest — both physically and mentally — people around. I’m already looking forward to Grandma’s Marathon weekend in 2008.

Unofficial finishing time: 5 hours, 1 minute.

It was hotter than Hades out there, but I’m pleased as pie to have finished. Once I got a handful of miles in, I was just going to be happy finishing instead of going for a certain time.

The run was great and the volunteers did an awesome job assisting everyone.

Check back soon. I’ll write more.

Tomorrow’s the big day. Grandma’s Marathon is at the doorstep and ready to bust out in less than 14 hours.

I didn’t run much this week. I feel better than I had the previous two races. A big part of that is knowing what to expect. In 2004, I was so nervous I contemplated staying in bed when my alarm sounded at 4:45 a.m. I felt unprepared, like I had no business being at the starting line with everyone else because I wasn’t a "runner." Once the race got underway, all of those feelings vanished. It was just running. Sure, it was 26.2 miles — a distance far greater than any I had run before — but it was still just a run. I wasn’t running backwards (like I saw one guy do in 2005).

I’m going to soak-in every second of Saturday’s race — the crowd, the music, the orange wedges (there better be orange wedges!), and the finisher’s T.

As I’ve said before, I don’t run for records or personal bests, but I’d like to top my ’04 time of 4 hours, 24 minutes, 55 seconds. If I can finish in 4:18 or better, I’d be pleased. Anything under 4:30 would be great, though. One thing’s for sure: tomorrow morning I’m going to jump out of bed ready to start the day.

Best of luck to all runners, a giant THANK YOU to each volunteer, and a little push to anyone out there who’s thinking about running Grandma’s or any marathon some day. I say go for it.

Grandma’s Marathon is one week away. What did I do to celebrate? I played in a soccer game in the heat and humidity. My team had virtually no subs, so I ran around for most of the match.

I haven’t had pop (or soda if you’re reading this from south of the Mason-Dixon Line) in five days. That’s gotta be some sort of personal record. I’ve drastically cut my fast-food consumption in recent months and have been feeling pretty good.

I feel mentally prepared for next week’s race and that’s huge for someone who doesn’t properly train for these things. I’m going to take it all in and enjoy the day.

Since I’m no expert and I didn’t buy a "Running Marathons for Dummies" book, here are my keys to running and finishing Grandma’s Marathon:

1. Stretching — It’s important to get all the kinks out before beginning such a long run.

2. Breathing — Finding a good breathing pattern, to me, is just as important as finding a good running pace. In the past, I’ve seen people talking to the person next to them while they run. I can’t do that. To feel the best I need to run without speaking. It’s one of the few times I’m not saying something. In the 2004 race, I met a guy at Mile 14 or 15 and we kept each other going to the finish. He liked to talk, but I had to explain to him that I wasn’t being rude, I just needed to shut up while I ran.

3. No spitting — Spitting takes energy. It messes up my breathing if I spit when running. Then I get cottonmouth and things begin to unravel. It sounds weird, but not spitting helps me.

4. Break out plenty of tape and Vaseline — I like to tape up or put Band-Aids on my feet (big toe and heels) and tape-up my chest to help prevent blistering (on the feet) or bleeding (on the chest). It’s also important to remember to use Vaseline on the armpits/upper torso and inner-thigh area. I thought I did a good job of this in ’04 until I hopped in the shower after the race. My under arms felt like someone had rubbed a rope across them until said rope broke in half.

I’m sure there’s a ton of other stuff, like getting plenty of water (obviously), but those have been four key things for me.

I ran 8 miles along Superior Street today. The light breeze provided by the wind felt great. I wanted to keep going but I had to get home in time for work.

I’m planning on going 10 miles on Wednesday or Thursday, rain or shine. But there’s pickup soccer Thursday, too, so I might do that instead.

I played in a soccer game on Sunday, and passed on running in the rain on Monday.

Today’s run was kind of spontaneous. I planned to run, but wasn’t sure where or how far I would take it. I thought about running one mile for every run the Twins gave up the night before, but then they went on to surrender 16 to the Angels, thanks to some quality pitching.

Yeah, I think that’s what I’ll do tomorrow. Whatever Minnesota allows tonight in runs, I’ll run it in miles tomorrow. Wait, who’s pitching? Scott Baker. Good thing they already got rid of Sidney Ponson, or else my marathon may have come sooner than June 16th.

I didn’t get my Friday run in because I filled in at my dad’s store for five hours after golfing nine holes.

I went for a 1.5-mile run around the neighborhood with my dog this afternoon — short and sweet. He (like just about every other dog) loves to get outside and run around. The temperature was nice and cool.

There’s a soccer game on Sunday, so that will add a lot more running to my weekend.

Something I’ll have to do before the marathon is get a pair of running shorts, something with pockets but not super short. I don’t care how nice they are to run in, I’m not wearing tiny shorts. Two things that don’t agree with me are 1.) small shorts and 2.) shirts without sleeves. In previous years I wore a pair of soccer shorts. This time I’m looking for something that will make it easy for me to carry a chocolate chip Clif Bar. Those are delicious.