Marathon First - DNF

Today's race wasn't a success - unless you count throwing up in a stranger's yard a success.

I didn't finish the Livestrong Austin Marathon - I called it a day after 16.7 miles and 3 barfs. 

I started out well - maybe too well.  I don't know my split times yet, but even after 3 barfs, a 10 minute sit and and about 15 minutes of walking, my average pace (according to my iPhone app thingy) was 11:20 (which is entirely too fast for this turtle).

Trip time:	03:14:46
Trip distance:	16.7 mi
Trip calories:	1993 kcal
Average speed:	11:20 min/mi
Maximum speed:	8:52 min/mi

I got carried away with the beginning of the race and was feeling good.  I was moving too quickly (for me) and not drinking enough water.  Sometimes when it's cold outside, I forget how humid it can still be (91% at start time) and I don't drink enough water.  By the time I started to feel icky (around mile 11), it was too late and the lemon-lime gatorade only made it worse.

I started the race with two throwaway sweatshirts and a pair of throwaway gloves and by mile two I had taken off my layers and was sweating (it was pretty humid to start).  I threw away my sweatshirts, but kept my gloves (I was glad to have them later in the race). 

Things started getting not so great around mile 11 - I started walking up the hill on Exposition (it sucked) and  then barfed on someone's front lawn right before turning onto 35th (around mile 13).  I used one of my throwaway gloves to wash off my face.  I'm sure that homeowner was happy to find a gift in their lawn this morning.  A couple runners and spectators asked me if I was OK.  I just felt embarrassed.  

The sign I saw immediately after leaving that pretty gift was "You look so smart and pretty" - I didn't feel either and I'm sure I didn't look either, but I kept jogging.  

I jogged/walked for the next 3 - 4 miles and was trying to "shake it off".  I texted Buttin and told him to be prepared to pick me up in the event that I did not get any better.  Soon after the 16 mile marker, I stopped at the medical station and sat down for about 10 minutes and threw up twice.  It was time to call it a day.

I walked through a neighborhood to try and find some streets Buttin could access.  I got home, took a long shower and then a 1.5 hour nap.  I felt better when I woke up, but still not 100%.  

I'm a little disappointed, but I run for fun and on any given day when it's no longer fun (i.e. I'm barfing), I stop.  I'll have a better race another day.