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A Second Full Marathon and I am ready. I ran this event half last year but only the half and I remember seeing the full runners veering away from the half runners and I want it to try to do the full. I had couple 20 milers in the bag from training and few more 18 milers. Still doing some walk on those training runs but felt that I was going to do great. The temperature was a crisp 37 degrees and sunny. Definitely a great running temperature for me.  Lots of participants and my plan was to start somewhat in the back of the pack, to make sure I start slow and not too fast too early. My sugars were on the top range of my starting running target but still within range, so I was good to go. After the national anthem and a few announcements off we went.

I took it easy the very first 3-4 miles. The mid-early miles felt great and gained speed miles 5-10 came and went. They were similar route as last year’s half marathon, so nothing really new to report. I kept an eye of the runners around me. There were a mix of 1/2 and 10K runners for the first 6 miles and then half and full for the next 5 miles. The fuel plan was the same a s before and the one that I practiced during my training runs. Basically every 4 miles a fuel gel and a drink every 2 miles alternating water (From water stations and E-fuel from my energy drink bottle). I tried to remember to check my CGMS every 3 to 4 miles and make any necessary adjustments.

Miles 12 – 17 were mostly down hill, a paved path through the greenway. A well covered path, shaded and wide enough for runners going in and out. What I was thinking at that time was that this was a turn around route so those down hills I was going to have to climb back up. At mile 16 to 17 I started to feel heavy, the CGMS kept telling that sugars were still high and just barely crossing a little above of what I want them to be. I decided to stop at the medical station at mile 18 and asked for a glucose meter to check and see. Sure enough the sugar reading was even higher than what my CGMS was telling me. So I stopped at the water station beside the aid station, did an bolus adjustment on my pump and refilled by bottle with water, added some E-fuel powder I had with me in a zip-lock bag and off I went.

I started to slow down and had to walk on and of. Since miles 18- 23 were up hill I did some running and quick short walk breaks in between to make sure I do not bonk after mile 20. After the course leveled out I was back on the streets of Raleigh. I was very tired and want it to start walking again but I started to play a game with the street lights and was convincing myself to run until the next street light for me to walk. But them kept just a little bit more to the next street light, because it was that one the one I was going to be allowed to walk. Somewhat it worked and was able to finish for a new PR 4:26:58. I was able to shaved more than 20 minutes from my previous marathon performance earlier this year. In all, another great event, very happy with the results.

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{f1}Month/Year;;;{f1}Event;;;{f1}Location;;;{f1}Type;;;{f1}Time;nn;
Nov-13;;;City of Oaks;;;NC;;;Full;;;4:36:58;nn;
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Event Highlight & Learning Points;nn;Highlights:

Course: Great ample road right of the start. Still expect some weaving between runners as the Full, Relay, Half and 10K starts at the same time. Excellent water station setup and distances. Pretty well staffed too.

Venue: Start/finish line with bag check. At finish, good food, plenty to eat and drink and a area for beer.

Expo: Expo was good. Many vendors and samples.

Weather: Overcast skies, 37º with 94% humidity.

T1D: Sugars in the top range of running range at start. Went up to yellow zone. Adjustments done at fueling and then check sugars at aid station.

Fueling: Pre-Race: 1 serving Hot Cereal, banana and Latte. One energy gel with caffeine 15 minutes before start of race

Race: Water at the water station. Carried E-Fuel, drank most after mile 17. Gel every 4 miles

Post: Pizza and lots water. Normal lunch after.

Learning Points:

• Having run the first half portion of the race the previous years helped me plan better.
• Take the first few miles slow, it is a long race. It worked well
  
• Fueling needs to be hone in a little bit.It was hard the later part of the event.
  
• I need to figure out how my sugars behave in these long events and control them better.

;nn;
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