Got into Pitt. on Sat night at 8pm, and made it to Meadowlands [a suburb, which is around 20-25miles South West (I think) of downtown]. Driving from the airport I c'd see hills all around, and c'd very well imagine that the marathon route would not be all that pleasant. Got to the hotel at around 9pm, and asked the receptionist to find me a cab to downtown-planned to leave at 6am the next morning for I had to pick-up my race packet too. Settled down in my hotel room, and after 2 or 3 calls back and forth with the receptionist she finally managed to find me a cab [not many operate in that area I was told] at 10:30pm. Had pasta and marinara sauce + orange juice for dinner in my room--pretty tasty! Indulged myself with some bread + butter [throwing caution to the wind] too! I set out my race clothes + 4 Gus + some band-aids before hitting the bed. Fell asleep at around midnight only!
Up at 5am on Sunday morning, and I stepped out of the hotel at 6am sharp. The cab-driver had to be rudely awakened; did get to downtown (County building) in about 30minutes. I was way too early. Just a few odd runners c'd be seen, and most of the support staff were still in the process of setting-up things in the parking lot. After walking around for 20mins or so, I picked-up my race packet. Walked around a bit in downtown; picked up couple of Bagels from Bruegers [did not eat them]. Saw the Olympic qualifiers take-off, and thereafter did some stretches and took care of potty-related necessities before the start. The weather was turning hotter by the minute [or so I felt].
Race started at 8:50am. Was lined-up with the 4:45 pace group. In the early going, I stuck with the group [Daris was the leader], and we held a close to the reqd pace [10:50 or so] as I recall. Stopped and walked the water stops. Stuck to water the entire marathon, for I did not wan't to try out All Sport drinks [never had it during my training runs]. The pace was very easy and comfortable for the first 7-8miles--I tended to slow down a bit even on ramps/inclines [to me these were hills!]. Problems with my feet started to surface at around mile 9--blisters in both feet and my big toe nail was starting to bother me. The first really big hill at mile 12 leading into Oakland was my first must-walk [per force] experience. Lost Daris and the group at this point. Must have walked for a good 5-7mins to reach the top of the hill. Met with a guy from DC [Tracy] and we struck up a conversation; he too intended to walk most of the hills and much like me, was in no hurry to reach the finish:) We crossed the half-way point in 2:25 or so, and I was not feeling too good [esp. the blisters and toe nails]. I got the distinct feeling that ``I should not be doing this and felt I did not belong here.''
Nonetheless, I decided to plod along and see how things shape out. All hills [real-ones, ramps, grades] were a reason to walk from hereon --I got the sense that I c'd cramp real badly and bonk if I was adventurous on the grades. So, we stuck to the plan and just tried to go mile-to-mile. Reaching 16mi was a landmark of sorts. The volunteers did a great job, and I was pouring water on my head and also drinking water at every aid station and also sometimes in-between when spectators offered some. Had two and a half Gu's [felt a tad-queasy when having the third one] during the 'thon. It felt blazin' hot [max. temperature was in the upper 80s in the afternoon]. Got to the 20mi mark in 3:51 or so, and it was both, relief, but at the same time at that point six more miles seemed a long way to go. Anyway, I figured if I go slow enough and take enough walking breaks, I'll survive! So, I just did that. We walked all the "hills" [any stretch which was not table- top flat], and gently ambled along otherwise. By now, my shoes were rather soggy, and my blisters and toe-nail were ready to explode:) The mile 22 hill was just another walk, and the steep downhill thereafter was a welcome break--was cautiously slow on the downhill stretch too. Made it to mile 25 and for once I felt the marathon is a done deal! So, from there till the end I managed to jog without stopping, and crossed the finish line with a chip time of 5:09:25.
After the race, I was soon lying down on the grass with no intentions of getting-up soon. Was offered some oranges which I accepted [and also liked]. After 10mins I picked-up my medal and got the chip off my shoes. I picked-up some more oranges, and had some water. Removed my right shoe and in the process my calf stretched--it was met with a shooting pain that ran through my calves. I yelled out to a guy who was walking-by who called a medical staff. It was the most horrifying experience in terms of cramps I have ever had-lasted for a minute or so, and by the time the med. staff came-by I was OK. The blisters were pretty bad, but more than that my left big toe was hurting a lot [had turned blue-ish] which made walking all the more difficult. Other than my feet problems and the post-race cramps, I wasn't too bad:) Made my way to the massage tent--after a long 30-40min wait I did get a much-needed massage. The calf-cramps did not go away, but it was a lot more bearable. Got my photo taken, and by the time I wanted to leave it was already 3:30pm. I was to meet couple of folks from the company [Monday was the interview] for dinner at 5pm and hence had to get back. Luckily, I got a cab at the Hilton which took me back to Meadowlands--my cab fare to and fro from the hotel was a cool $120 for the day!
Well, I did make it for the dinner appt, and had a great interview the next day too [hobbling a bit for my toe nail was aching]. Was a busy Monday in the interviewing visit, for I was tied-up from 8:30am to 7pm. Took the 8:30pm flight out of Pitt and was in Chicago at 9:15pm and in Evanston by 10:15pm. All in all, a great weekend. I think I ran the marathon well [it was more than I bargained for though], and enjoyed [if pain can be cause for enjoyment] the trip to Pittsburgh in more ways than one. Today, couple of days after the marathon, other than pain in my big toe-nail, I feel pretty good-- quads and calves held-up during the marathon. Hopefully, now, Chicago marathon will be a breeze and a sub-4hr goal won't look all that intimidating!