I finished the Skagit Flats Marathon, yesterday the 7th, over in Burlington in 4:00:15.  This out and back course was different than the one I ran in 1998, which was a loop run.  I liked the out and back course better.  I did not like the heat, which he had pleanty of.  Too bad Sunday morning couldn't have been fogged over like last Friday.

Start time was 8:00 and the temps were warm, with clear skies, as we headed out through the farm lands of Skagit to the turn around spot.  I felt good and strong and settled into a nice pace that put me through the half way point in 1:49.  The cool breeze we ran into kept the heating effect down.  I was on schedule for a 3:45, which besides finishing, was my goal.  At the half way point I still felt strong and fresh.  After the turn the trip back to the start the temps turned warmer.  No more cool breeze.  At mile 15 - 16 I started cramping in my hamstrings, which required me to slow down some.  I continued to hang in there, running about a 9:30 pace, taking water/aid at every aid station as well as GU, at mile 21 I cramped some more and slowed down even more to keep myself out of "cramping zome".  The hotter the temps the slower I ran. 

Finishing in 4:00, I made a mistake by laying down on the football field and both of my legs cramped up really bad.  I said bad words.  I laid there in the sun for 40 minutes before I could get up.  Yikes.  Must remember never to lay down after a marathon.

What went wrong?  I was not mentally prepared, or phyiscally for that matter, for the heat.  I mean, running in 70 degree heat in September?  Here?  Just didn't think that was possible.  I also didn't bring my hand held water bottle and depended on the aid stations paper cups for drink.  I just don't get enough water this way.  Next races, I am carrying my own water and filling my bottle up as needed.  Another thing is adding salt tablets to my heat plan, taking 2 or 3 of them each hour in an attempt to keep the cramps away, and the bad words.

Next week:  Little Grand Canyon Marathon in Utah, and I can bet it's going to be hot there.  Stayed tuned.