The Hartford Marathon was an incredible experience, and I was thrilled to pace for the first time! Kim and I took on the responsibility of pacing the 4:45 group, which was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking.
We started the day by meeting the other pacers for a group photo and reviewing our pacing instructions to make sure we were fully prepared.
The weather added another layer of challenge—it was cold and raining throughout the race. I had brought hand warmers, but they ended up being useless because they were frozen. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, the energy among the runners was inspiring. Early in the race, we met Liz, a fellow runner who was on an ambitious quest to complete a marathon in every state. Her determination was contagious and added an extra spark to our journey.

Throughout the marathon, Kim and I were diligent about keeping an eye on our watches and pace bands, ensuring we stayed on track for our target finish time of 4:44:30. Kim’s storytelling skills were a game-changer—he kept everyone’s minds occupied with engaging stories, which really helped pass the miles. Meanwhile, I chipped in with jokes and songs, bringing a little levity and fun to the journey. Running alongside people for over four hours, you definitely learn a lot about them, and it was amazing to connect with so many runners during the race.
This year, Kim and I also started coaching the marathon training program for Fleet Feet, so it was especially rewarding to see many of our training group members out on the course. Cheering them on and watching their hard work pay off added a special layer of pride and joy to the day. As we approached the last few miles, our pace group took an unforgettable photo on Founders Bridge, capturing the camaraderie and triumph of the moment.
We crossed the finish line just under 4:45, hitting our goal and celebrating a job well done. I absolutely loved pacing and am already looking forward to doing it again next year!
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