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St. George Marathon

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Location:

North Ogden,UT,U.S.

Member Since:

May 23, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

5K- 14:58, 10K- 31:05, 1/2- 1:06:47 Marathon- 2:23:29

3rd- Park City Marathon 2008

3rd and 4th Ogden Marathon 2010; 12'

5th, 3rd, and 7th- Utah Valley Marathon 2011;14'; 16'

9th, 3rd,11th, 8th, 5th, 8th St. George Marathon 2010, 11',13',14',15'16'

2nd- Deseret News Marathon 2015

1st- SandHollow Marathon- 2016 (CR***)

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

2024 POTENTIAL RACES

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.

                                                                          -Helen Keller

              

 

Personal:

Married to Nikki we have 4 children. Jaerdan, Korver, Grady and Lyla McKell

Head XC/Track Coach at Weber High

Graduated from Weber State with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Athletic Therapy.

 

 

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 257.46
Race: St. George Marathon (26.2 Miles) 02:28:47, Place overall: 3, Place in age division: 2
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

Well I don't even know where to begin. To be honest the whole entire race was really a blur. The miles were just flying by and the pace was just awesome.

Well I was a little worried about this Marathon not that I didn't feel that I was ready. I was just worried about the heat so I knew the goal was to stay hydrated as long as possible and to keep body temp down by dumping water. Okay so into the race the plan was to run with Jeff and Walter and try break the beast of a 2:30 marathon.

Gun went off and the key was to stay patient for the first half I really wanted to hit under 1:16 for the half just give myself a shot to break 2:30. First couple of miles were nice and easy hit around 5:50 pace to get the legs moving and then we started picking off the miles to about mile 8 were Veyo hill starts. Splits were between 5:25 to 5:40 in between there.

The cool thing was is that when we hit Veyo we had a solid group of guys, at least 6-7 of us. Which was nice because we were able to stay together and work the hills as a group. We came through the half exactly at 1:15:30. By now there was 5 of us together. I didnt know any of the guys except Dave Holt. Him and I were mostly leading the group talking to each other and keeping the pace honest so we didn't blow ourselves up. Right now I just want to thank Dave for those miles and working with him. He allowed us all to stay patient and it gave me the opportunity to be able to finish strong just like I wanted. So Dave thanks!!!

So really around 21 miles is when I decided just to go for it. I didn't know how the legs were going to respond but for me it was now or never. Really the miles were just a blur, I remember passing a BYU guy around 23 miles and then passing another runner at 24 miles. I could see another runner in the distance but was way up there and there was no way I could get him. So I thought as I made the last turn into the finish I saw Ian Hunter about 100 meters up and then he just stopped and stood there. He was cramping bad!! So I just went for it and passed him with about 100 meters to go.

I came across the finish line at 2:28:47 and felt the pile of  bricks come off my back. I finally achieved the sub 2:30. Also to top it off I didn't realize that I placed 3rd overall!!! then to top things off again. Jon Kotter decided not to take the Ibigawa Japan trip and since Pepi was the masters winner it was offered to me. That was the Icing on the Cake. Still don't feel like I deserve the trip and there are better runners out there that deserve it more than I do. But you know this is once in a lifetime opportunity and I way excited to go. Now back to the drawing board, time to recover  and heal my body for another Marathon in 5 weeks.

Again just want to thank Dave, Clyde, Walter, Jeff and all the other guys we ran. Awesome group of guys and that what makes Marathons fun. Also want to thank the guy equiped with 4 ipods, highlight of my trip and made for a good laugh!!

Marathon Splits

1-5:47

2- 5:52

3- 5:39

4- 5:26

5-5:40

6-5:25

7- 5:24

8-6:12

9-6:03

10-5:54

11-6:04

12-5:52

13-5:35

HALF- 1:15:30

14-5:36

15-5:31

16-5:22

17-5:35

18-5:34

19-5:49

20-5:29

21-5:32

22-5:34

23-5:28

24-5:25

25-5:33

26-5:45

Marathon- 2:28:47

Lunar Racer RED Miles: 26.20
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Sasha Pachev on Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 15:20:34 from 192.168.1.1

Congratulations on the first sub-2:30 and top 3 finish. Finally you were able to cash in on the fitness and get the time in spite of the hot conditions.

From Jake K on Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 15:33:51 from 155.100.226.53

Great race, nice negative split! And congrats on getting the trip to Japan... you definitely deserve it and it will be a great lifetime experience. Congrats!!!

From jtshad on Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 15:57:12 from 204.134.132.225

Congrats on the great time, PR, 3rd place, trip, etc. You ran smart and strong and really deserve all the accolades for such a gutsy performance. I wish that I could have hung with you but at Vejo decided to hold back just a bit then I couldn't catch back up once the intestinal issues settled in.

Congrats once again, now go rock Japan!

From Superfly on Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 22:35:40 from 74.211.21.81

I'm pumped you got your goal. I could tell you were ready both physically and mentally up at the starting line. You were on a mission regardless of the conditions. Here's to many more! Happy recovery and just go have fun in Japan.

From Cody on Tue, Oct 04, 2011 at 23:00:10 from 67.177.0.196

Way to go Ben! You ran that race perfectly and even with the heat still broke 2:30. Amazing. THE performance of the race (IMO). Enjoy Japan. That is so cool!

From Oreo on Thu, Oct 06, 2011 at 11:30:10 from 206.81.136.61

Awesome race. That's some serious speed. Great job. Go show'm how we do it america style.. Good Luck.

From Andrea on Thu, Oct 06, 2011 at 12:00:00 from 72.37.171.52

JAPAN! How exciting and what an opportunity. You broke that 2:30 barrier with time to spare and your splits show that you finished strong! Congrats!

From Holt on Thu, Oct 06, 2011 at 12:48:56 from 204.113.55.41

Big Thanks right back at you. That was the most fun I have had for a marathon (for 22 miles!). Congrats on the great finish. It was very cool to see - I guess hear - that you finished up so well. Many more great runs to come for you!

From Ben VanBeekum on Thu, Oct 06, 2011 at 12:49:53 from 67.169.246.116

Thanks for the comments everyone. Way excited to go run in Japan. Hopefully I can put together a good race!! Way excited and nervous at the same time.I have been told the marathon is pretty hilly. It will be interesting.

From Jon on Thu, Oct 06, 2011 at 22:23:59 from 98.71.176.77

Dude, wait- top 3, sub-2:30, AND Japan marathon. That's a good days work right there, Ben. Congrats, and have fun in Japan.

From DaleG on Fri, Oct 07, 2011 at 01:12:10 from 152.216.11.5

Wow Ben, congrats on teh sub 2:30 AND 3rd place overall AND the trip to Japan.

It was good to see you at the park, even though you never know who I am, you are always nice and pat me on the back.

From Paul on Sat, Oct 08, 2011 at 11:55:21 from 24.10.141.104

Congrats Ben. Once you get that first sub-2:30 under your belt you never look back. Best wishes for your future racing, keep striving.

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