I finished the Los Angeles Marathon. It took me 7 hours. The first 10 miles was fairly easy. At the 10 mile mark, I had to try and follow another group, a walker runner group 5. I stayed with them next four miles, was out of breath at times and went until I had cramping at mile 14. I had to stop at a store and pick up some salon pas to apply. Mile 18 or so, I tried tying my shoe laces, and when I raised my arms, I had cramps there as well. Also even in the right chest as I bent down trying to tie the laces. I had to use the rest room in the first mile but the lines were long so I skipped it for the first 6 miles. I could have finished at around 6:40 if I did not have the cramping. Also to reduce my time for next year, I need to drop another 15 pounds, and do my homework during the week. I did virtually no running during the week. When I was at mile 19 and 21, or so, it was a little emotional excitement. The group I had initially ran with back in September before I fell out finished around 6 hours, at least that was their pace leaders time. Their projected finish time was 5:18. Steve and his wife finished both around 5:18. When I crossed the line, I started getting cold. Probably from the winds and the wet shirt I was wearing from the water. When I got home, I was shivering cold. I took a warm bath with epson salt and went to bed early and had a good nights sleep for a change — about 10 hours.  Preparation tips for next year - train during the week, lose weight, bring salon pas can or patches, bring carbohydrates items like pretzels or gel, and have your family member bring you sweats and pants for you to wear at the end of the race and make sure use the rest room before you leave because all that water will catch up to you while you are sitting in your car leaving.