Utah Valley Marathon. All I can say is I enjoyed this race alot. Nice gradual downhill a couple of climbs the first half but nothing to serious. The last 10k is perfect for a strong finish. For Me today personally I had one goal in mind and it was to conquer this bathroom spell that I have my last 4 marathons. The last couple of weeks I actually talk to some doctors to figure some stuff out and the main suggestions were Immodium and Zofran. Well lets just say it worked wonders!!!
The whole week leading up to the race I felt really calm and at ease. I even slept like a log the night before. Got a solid 5 hours before waking up at 3 A.M. to catch a bus up to the start. Met up with Bryant Jensen at the busing area and rhode up with him. As we got to the start line saw alot of familiar faces and talked with alot of people. To me that is the best part of marathon.
Mile 1 -5:57; just wanted to take this mile easy and to see how the legs felt. Already running by myself this was the story of the day. Ran the whole marathon solo!!!
Mile 2-5:40; Good mile still the group ahead was gapping me even further.
Mile 3-5:41; starting to feel good. Jeff shadley was behind me. Was hoping he would catch me so we could run together. But unfortunetely GI problems were an issue for him. He still ran a solid time.
Mile 4-5:49; little bit of uphill but legs responded well.
Mile 5-5:39; The groups ahead are out of sight. officially the race felt like a training run now.
Mile 6- 5:41; Nice strait away with a little bit of down hill. feeling great, breathing is easy.
Mile 7- 5:39; just coming to the main intersection and could see the group in the distance. That is what kept me going.
Mile 8- 6:04; Legs felt heavy on the hills, was hoping there wouldnt be to many of them because if there was I was in big trouble.
Mile 9- 6:08; felt like my heart rate was pushing 180. Needed to relax and calm myself down. Saw a kenyan (I think) come out of the bathroom right in front of me. Which gave me life.
Mile 10- 5:38; Just shadowing this guy about 50 meters behind, being smart and not pushing it.
Mile 11-5:36; Getting closer to passing this guy slight uphill and made my move on him. Felt bad he was struggling already. Took the pass wide and didn't look at him. Sometimes I take a pass to close and gett sucked in to the pace they are running. Didnt want that to happen.
Mile 12-5:48; still some hills thought this race was all downhill!!
Mile 13 and Half-5:46/ Feeling great which was the goal. I really was hoping for a sub 75 minute first half but there were more hills then I expected. Came in to the HAlf around 1:16:18.
Mile 14-17 were blurrs. Could see a couple of guys about a minute up. Just looked straight ahead and didnt even look at my pace. Just running in rythem and feel. 5:38; 5:42; 5:43;5:48. Ended up passing Dave around mile 17. Told him nice job. He said I was looking strong and to attack. I took that to heart. So thanks Dave. the goal now was to catch Sasha.
Mile 18-20 could see Sasha the whole time just wanted to keep him in sight. I got to around mile 20 and some lady yells only 10 seconds back go get him. 5:38; 5:38; 5:49. The whole goal now was to for me was to hit sub 6's the last six miles, and hope for a sub 2:30.
Mile 21-5:44;Legs are burning. Just kept thinking I have trained for this and have hit 6 mile tempos faster then what I am running and the pain will be over soon. Finally caught Sasha. Then saw Clyde about 30 seconds up.
Mile 22-5:39; Breathing is getting short. Quads on fire. Only 4 miles left!!
Mile 23- 5:41; still might hit a sub 2:30. last 5k has to be sub 17 which would be tough. But possible.
Mile 24-5:53; Caught Clyde, the only thing I could muster up to say to him. "Oh my Hell Clyde" really wanted him to finish strong so we could push eachother.
Mile 25-5:50 still holding on for dear life. Sub 2:30 is gone but still have a chance to hit a solid time.
Mile 26- 5:54; can see the finish. Hips and quads are trashed but feel shocked to hit sub 6's the last six miles
Last .36 course was a little long. Could be my fault adding on by running in and out of half marathoners. Managed to clip a 2:03 which is at 5:43 pace.
OVERALL 2:31:57, about a 3 minute PR. 5th place overall. Just realized when I finished that I didnt have to stop to use the bathroom. Stomach felt awesome!!! Now the goal is to take this marathon with JOY!!! and train for the sub 2:30 in St.George this fall.
Congrats to all that finished today!!!
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