St.George Marathon: Random thoughts as my time just really isn't that important.
It was a nice day for a run. I was very nervous to see how long my foot would last. My goal was to run for a bit and walk for a bit depending on how my foot feels. I knew it would be a long day but it ended up being more than I wanted.
I started pretty good chatting with some friends at a leisurely 10 min mile pace. That went on for a few miles and a couple of aid stations. I took some ibuprofen and hoped that woul tone down the pain as the foot immediately flared up on me and was screaming for me to quit. I decided to just deal with the numbing pain. I did very well in taking in fluids and various energy items such as the Pepsi my dear sister had for me at Dameron Valley! That was awesome and the cola just went down smooth. It was fun to see students from my classes cheering along the way.
After Dameron Valley the foot just needed to calm down so my splits increased a bit. I believe I was doing something like 5min on and 1 min off or some combination thereof.
At that point, miles 13 on in.. it was just plain mind over matter as the pain was just flat was ridiculous. I found some new friends along the way and have a new appreciation for those that set out to run a marathon and end up in the back end of the pack. Found some friends puking and doubled over on the side of the road, laying down on the side of the road trying to get up, and just plain struggling to move. I felt a little lucky that I could walk upright.
Mile 19, enjoyed the brew that Vis had made for me and I had stashed with my ward at that aid station. Was good to see some familiar faces and know that I only had 7 left ha ha.
Now the cramps started and it was necessary to stop and get some icyhot drenched on my legs. It was almost obscene having the volunteers rub that stuff all over. The body was just breaking down going into a full body dry heave at times. Now I wasn't so lucky as I couldn't walk upright for awhile. I finally was able to get some movement going and did some quick Math to set a goal for under 5.5 hours. I usually end around 4 hours so this was unfamiliar territory. The longer I was on my feet, the worse it was going to be. It did get worse; however, I was able to enjoy some random popsicles from caring spectators and, of course, the cold wet towel. The finish was anticlimatic as I just wanted to end the misery. I was too late to get the PVHS fight song by Eddie Candland and company... will have to run faster to get that again.
This one took it's toll on me. I've got some serious pain that needs to be repaired, removed, cutoff, or something. It was nice to burn some calories today and have some icecream at the finish. Ended up with just over 12 min mile averages which, looking back, was probably OK for being crazy enough to run this thing with an injury.
Thanks to all who volunteered and cheered (even though they didn't know me)! I did enjoy the conversations along the way, the familiar faces, the random things others would do and say, the port-a-potties, the aid stations, the ibuprofen, the Pepsi, the Vis mix, the shouts of encouragement, the friendly smiles, the icyhot rubs, the shade, the sun behind the clouds, the determined looks on the faces of those in my time frame.. those looks actually kept me alive and determined, and also the friends I was able to see and make along the way. It's the journey right? (Cumulus 8: 78.4)
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