Run (26.2 miles): 3:25:18 (7:51/mi pace)I took it out fast.  I got very excited to be done with the first twodisciplines and then I saw a group of the Joop troopers (cheering section) just out of transition and got some high fives.  My back was tight but I wascruising at 6:30 minute miles.  I didn’t realize until I looked at mywatch at mile 2.  I figured I should slow down - better not to blow upby taking big chances that early in the run particularly when thingswere going as well as they were.  At about mile 3 my back was gettingreally tight and the ball of my right foot was really aching.  Ithought I might have broken something.  I asked for Advil but wasn’tallowed to take any until after the race.  The Joop troop allconcurred that this was the worst I looked throughout the race.  Mymood was down.  

After about mile 6 things loosened up and I wasfeeling good again (as good as you can feel I guess).  Still notpushing it, making sure I crossed the finish line.  Then I got to mile20 and got a bad cramp in my hamstring.  I slowed but it wouldn't workitself out and got worse.  I pulled over and stretched and walked thewater next station.   After about a minute or two I was feeling muchbetter.  Picked up the run again and did my best to take it easy.Now, The groin also started cramping.  I thought I might be in troublebut I pushed through and all ended up ok.  

It was about at this point that I got passed by someone who I later found out was the guy who took over 6th place in the age group from me.  I thought I had already lost it (it is hard, in a three loop race, to know who is passing you and who is just going faster than you because they are in an earlier loop of the race. Instead of trying to stick with this guy (I had passed him early inthe run), I maintained my pace thinking I had already lost 6th muchearlier and I would rather finish with a good time then risk it allfor a spot in Kona.  I finally cross my first ever Ironman finish linein 9 hours 33 minutes not really aware of anything except trying tofind a bathroom.  

As for nutrition, I had about 4 shots of Hammer Gelthroughout, I had a water at every rest stop (one every mile) and hada cup of coke at about mile 22.  I also took about 8 endurolytesthroughout the run.  I think I fueled very well given thecircumstances. I wouldn’t have changed much.