I paired up with Joseph, another runner from Team Hoyt. He wanted to finish the race in 4:00-4:30 (faster than I thought I would finish) but we wanted to start at the same pace so we figured we would stay together as long as we could. We spent the first couple miles jostling among other runners, passing some and being passed by others. We continually banged elbows trying not to hit other people and kept apologizing to one another. After saying “I’m sorry” close to 30 times we decided we could forego the civility and not worry about it. There were people all along the route, and even a couple of bands were playing. Young children with outstretched hands cheered every time a runner would give them a high five. The people watching seemed as excited to be there as any of the runners did. Joseph and I sped up a little bit each mile without really trying to. I think it must have been a combination of the energy around us, our own excitement, and trying to “keep up” with one another. Even though things were going well so far, at mile 8 I decided I needed to drop back and slow my pace. I was feeling strong, but with almost 20 miles ahead of me I did not want to be overly ambitious and pay the consequences later on. Joseph and I said our good byes and wished each other luck. It seemed like he sped up as soon as we parted ways and I felt happy that I was not holding him back from a faster pace. I passed the 9 mile marker still feeling good and still moving ahead, albeit slightly slower than I had been moving ahead until that point. I couldn’t believe I was already over one third of the way done.