Saturday’s Osterville Race was 4.12 miles.

I ran the first mile in 7:35. The second mile was a little slower in 7:40. The third was about 7:45.

It was between miles 2 and 3 that I started to seriously doubt my decision to run an October marathon. It was hot. I was tired. All I wanted to do was get to mile 3 and then to mile 4 where I knew the finish line would be in site. I started to break down the remaining run into 8:00 increments, and I couldn’t wait to finish.
How in the world will my brain work through 26 miles? What have I gotten myself into?