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The Third in the series took me to Inianapolis and the Monumental, again with my friend Rick

I had run Duke City 3 weeks earlier and Rick had done the NC Ironman 2 weeks ago, and after our crappy run in Omaha testing a 2 and 1/2 run walk, we decided to go back to the tried and true 4 and 1's (really, 30 with a 30 second slow start)

Nice and easy. No rush. No worry about times. Just finish.

A Saturday race had me fly out thursday, and I nearly missed by flight while charging my phone at another gate.

Packet pickup was easy -- nice expo. Splurged on a new pair of Maui Jims.

Rick got in (I had picked up his packet), and I met him at his hotel, and went out to carbo load. Crowded restaurant, we got a table, and had a couple of other marathoners join us. One of the guys I had run with at Newport

In the 30s, I showed up in a trash bag -- no throwaway sweatshirt -- but I wasnt alone.

Perfect race conditions. Cool, Clear and no wind. Stripped the bag off at 2

Stuck to the 4 and 1, nice and slow, really starting up again at 30 seconds and ramping up slowly.

Even splits start to end. 2:20 and 2:22. I tended to take off too fast at the end of the break, and Rick took the hills too fast.

Developed a blister at 20 or so -- my broken toe has shifted its position, and is now rubbing wrong

We started taking more like 45 seconds here

At 24 Rick wanted to try and break 4:40; I was trailing a bit. I waved him ahead.

At 25 Rick saw the Fleet Feet manager we met in Omaha, and veered off the course to say high. I saw him point back to me, and I followed for the high five...

I skipped the last break, and had a strong finish, high fiving the right side crowds...

Well managed race; Plenty of water/gateraid and CarBoom on the course. The only minus was lots of unmarked pot holes and rough road...