Woke up this morning to light rain. Not happy to be running 20 miles in it. Once I arrived at the RoadRunner meeting area it stopped raining. I was debating whether or not to put on a poncho. I decided not to since the skies were turning blue.

The wind started to pick up as we started our run this morning. The group started out strong. Our first two hours into our run were rain free. A few minutes into the second hour it came down. Just as quickly as the rain dropped it stopped. But, it rained enough to soak everyone.

By mile 16 I was starting to feel it in the legs. Specifically the quads and hamstrings. Felt them tightening up. At this point I was starting slow down just a tad, but enough where I wasn’t in my usual spot behind the pace leader.

At mile 17 the pace leader seem to shift into 5th gear and I was not ready for it. I was now at the back of the pack. A position I have not been in all training season. I was quickly left behind.

At mile 18 I was a good minute/minute and a half off the groups pace. Cramping was in effect. My fellow runner Bryan had also cramped up and fallen off the groups pace.

The last two miles Bryan and I struggled to make it to the finish. During the last mile, at different points we each stopped due to cramps. We finished together. As we made it to the end my left leg locked up and I went to the floor. Laid there for a minute before a coach told me it was a bad idea and helped me up. Pain!! Stretched out and finally headed back.

Hands down the toughest training run we’ve had this season. I thought I hydrated enough the prior two days. I really need to figure out how to stop cramping up, if I want to hit my goal of finishing the marathon under the five hour mark.

It’s really late in the game to have this issue pop up. Disappointed.