Very happy with race considering the lingering injuries after Boston. Was very worried that I've lost some fitness with my spotty training last couple of weeks while dealing with my achilles/calf.
Wife and I stayed with her Sister's family in Willard and I slept in a house down the street that he is trying to sell that is supposed to be haunted. I kept waiting to hear noises all night and have some ghost slip into my bed, but nothing happened.
While waiting for the bus, saw Paul (rivertonpaul) and enjoyed the ride up talking to him. Knowing that we'd be shooting for the same goal, we decided to run as much as we could together. Bus got lost on the way up, so we only had about 30 minutes to start once we got up there. Did the potty thing and got up front. Saw some other bloggers and an old mission pal that was running his first marathon in 7 years. He's a triathalete stud and was shooting for sub three (ended up beating me by 35 seconds after going out with a 1:21 first half!). Eyed a clown at the start and put him on my list of 'sure don't want to get beat by him'. Paul and I headed off and took the downhill as it came and tried not to hold back too much, but also making sure we weren't laboring too hard. I was really excited to use my straw I'd tucked into my watch band for the aid stations. (just a regular straw cut off a bit. I thought it would have helped me with my powerade spillage). Unfortunately, I dropped it just as I went for my first clean drink! I laughed a bit about that. I'll try again.
First 8 miles:
6:22, 6:35, 6:31, 6:38, 6:34, 6:36, 6:35, 6:45
Paul wanted to go about 7:00 through the rolling hills between 8-14, and we might have gone a little faster than he had planned. Sorry Paul if I screwed up your race plan. We did tuck behind the eventual Women's winner for about 7 miles and kept pace with her. At the 14 mile hill, Paul was going to take it a little more reserved, and went on as I was feeling better than I thought I'd feel at that point. Next 8:
6:48, 6:51, 6:58, 6:51, 6:57, 7:04, 7:08, 6:44
Really wanted to cruise on the canyon portion and I passed a lot of people there. I don't remember anybody passing me after 13.1. Next 5:
6:35, 6:20, 6:21, 6:27, 6:24
Saw something blue running a ways ahead and remembered the clown. How could I forget!? It goes without saying that I picked it up a bit. I actually have to give this bozo some props! I can't believe he ran with a full wig, glasses and full legs, arms, etc. I think he told me after that he finished right around 3:00. I know a lot of people enjoyed it.
Saw Sasha around mile 22 at an aid station and he ran with me for a hundred yards or so helping me with the powerade. Thanks!
I've never really minded the 1/2 marathon people that you run through the last 6-7 miles (They are very nice and supportive as I run by, and I encourage them as well), but I actually did run into a lady at about mile 23. I tried as best I could to run the tangents, but had to run around some groups. I saw a good 3 foot gap on the right hand side and yelled "on the right, on the right, on the right", but despite a good 5 second warning, she hopped over to the right just as I was trying to pass and hit her. (not too hard, I was able to put on the brakes a bit). So I figuratively and literally hit the wall at that point. I felt like I was switching over to FBP (see discussion forum). Passed the number 1 Woman (finished 2nd), at about 23, and kept picking runners off. I'm not a big fan of the trail, but I think it's just because of the state my body is in at that point. I think I may have passed Bill Mandler at some point on the trail and remember talking to a couple different guys, but didn't know it was him. Looking at the times, he must have gained on me at the end. Anyhow, that last mile feels like an eternity.
Last 5 miles:
6:16, 6:02, 6:32, 6:53, 7:04 (7:02 for last .3; my garmin read 26.30)
Crossed the finish with a net time of 2:55:10 and 16th place. PR by 3:19, and most notably, I beat the clown.
Got a post-race massage (more for comfort than function), and chatted with my mission pal while we got the rub-down.
Happy about the day/race. It was my 5th PR in a row. I know it has to end soon (if not next month, then by Park City for sure), but I'm enjoying the ride!! | 