Race day was cold, but clear. The Twin Cities Marathon course was beautiful, through downtown Minneapolis and around a few lakes and into neighborhood streets lined with thousands of cheering spectators. Quite a few were holding out boxes of tissues, a rarity at other races I've run.

Mike and I ran the first half fast, but then I faded, and struggled through the rest of the miles. I approached the finish line with a painful cramp in my left calf, but I came in at 4:21:10, a personal record (by 5 minutes). Mike beat me by 10 minutes.

This was my third marathon this year, fifth in all (previously Tobacco Road 2016, Austin 2016, Honolulu 2014 and 1993). I'd still like to finish in under four hours, but I'm not sure how I'll fit in more training over the next six months, as I have plenty to focus on at home and work. Still, I'd run the Twin Cities Marathon again.