Overall this seemed a bit tougher than I remember in the past. I felt like I had trained much more than in the past as was ready to possibly PR; however, the body had other ideas. I know my splits mean nothing to anyone else nor does my placement anywhere in the race but I will record them for myself and anyone is welcome to enjoy my pain along with their own.
At the start, did not even need gloves or a jacket as I usually start with something. It was to be a warm day. Jeff was in the corral and said he'd look for me. I was glad that he'd want to run with me as he usually is much faster and leaves me in the dust. I was thinking that if I could hang with him (even if he was slower than usual) I would easily PR.
1 - 8:46 nice and easy with the crowd. Ran with Sam and enjoyed some chit chat.
2 - 8:22 things going well.. lost Sam somewhere
3 - 8:02 feeling good starting to pick up the pace. I was hoping to keep this pace the rest of the first half of the race and hopefully hang on with the downhill portions of the second half. Quick fluids at the aid station. No walking this aid station.
4 - 7:44 just cruising and enjoying the run
5 - 7:51 still on goal pace and loving it. Enjoyed some fluids at the aid station. Only walked a little.
6 - 7:54 steady
7 - 7:46 more fluids and walked a little through this aid station, enjoyed the cheers at Veyo
8 - 9:32 hitting the hill, just trying to survive the climb
9 - 9:01 found Jeff at the top of the hill and we continued on together trying to hang with the 3:40 balloon guy. Rich joined us and we chatted for a bit. Jon and Trent creeped up behind us so that was nice to have some familiar faces around. ( I usually am running by myself at this point )
10 - 8:59 climbing Dameron. Thanks to my sis Louise for giving me a Mt Dew Voltage that I shared with Jeff and Jon. Felt good.
11 - 9:31 Things still within reason and doable. Enjoyed the aid station walked a little.
12 - 8:50 Trying to get the pace back
13 - 8:03 Feeling like I'm getting it back, trying to deal with some heal pain.. following Jeff's advice of just dealing with it. Walked the aid station.
14 - 8:47 Not doing the best but trying to pick it up.
15 - 8:05 Good mile, pain still there as the downhill hurts the stride. Walked the aid station.
16 - 8:35 goal is still in reach, yet the pain is heightened with every step. Just hoping to get to the next aid station.
17 - 8:16 @#$#$ this is killing my foot. Walked the aid station. Pace still respectable.
18 - 9:07 pain, good to have Jeff running with me, feeling a little out of sorts. It's hot.
19 - 9:26 pace slowing with the hill and the pain. trying to cool myself with water on my body. Enjoyed the aid station with my ward. Had my pepsi which felt good. Threw some water on the kids :) Good to see everyone there... it was a mental boost.
20 - 9:12 just trying to deal with pain. I start to remeber that the marathon is painful and yet I keep signing up.
21 - 8:28 a better split with much continued pain. Now the calves are cramping which has never happened to me before. Walked the aid station and got some icy hot from the volunteers.
22 - 9:50 mentally trying to get to town to see the fam and take my mind off the foot.
23 - 9:48 icy hot at the aid station. So nice to see the family and smile for some pictures as we run by. The goal is not going to happen.
24 - 8:56 thinking that finishing is doable just have to mentally tough out the foot pain
25 - 9:37 @$#$$ will this end? Nice to have the band fire up the fight song as I ran by and great to hear some familiar voices in the obscurity of my delirium. I much liked the sign that was something like this "go ahead and take a dump in your pants if you have to go" being held by a young girl along diagonal.
26.2 - 9:38 well just having pain and being able to finish with Jeff. Enjoyed the shower afterwards.
Thoughts: I did actually beat last year's time by 30 minutes so that is a positive. All in all it was good enough for the day that it was. It was nice to run with Jeff and hold hands for the pictures along the course. I liked seeing some familiar faces along the course and tried to liken all signs unto myself. The ice cream at the finish is always a good motivational aspect and seeing the regulars sitting in the shade by the usual tree. I guess we'll see them again next year. I felt like the first half of my race was respectable for my personal goals but was hampered by my foot injury. Hoping it's not serious. I am now trying to figure out how much permanant damage I have done to my foot. Time will tell. Vis has already put a running plan together for next year so I guess that means I have a reason to run... either that or lose 30 pounds might help.
(Triumph 5: 334.74) | 