Well... Honestly I'm pretty happy with this considering on paper the time looks slow. But for as sick and messed up as I have been the last two week and the lack of real workouts and downhill running. Today was a positive step. You have to race often to race well... I always say. So call it a glorified workout or whatever. But I was happy to run some good miles 1-8 and then keep working and not give in after that.
I was pretty upset when I was driving from Draper up to the bus pick-up. It was 3:30 a.m and the temp read 86F... you have got to be kidding me? Thats one of the reasons I wanted to do this race was to get out of the heat. And it turned out to be hotter than any workout so far this year in the STG. FML for sure on that one.
I got on the first bus leaving and had plenty of time for 3.5 really solid trips to the potty and 4.5 miles of running warm up. It was hot though and no warm up was really needed. Finished with the warm up in time to top off with a good drink and take a gu. Good thing because I forgot to take a second and I think it really hurt me after mile 8.
Anyways the race started on time. Smile. From the gun about 7 guys took off HARD. Then a few others were up there and even a chick. Justin, Steve and I took the first mile pretty smooth. It felt like I was holding back and still hit a 5:06 mile. I don't want to know what the lead pack hit. I was in around 12th place in the first mile but quickly slid into about 6th.
Worked through the canyon trying to run the tangents as close as possible and trying to dodge the headwind in any way possible. I hate wind. I just pounds my spirits. Both while running or in every other part of life. But splits seemed to be coming off pretty good and I didn't focus too much on it. Took water at ever aid station and put most of it on my head.
As we came out of the canyon at around mile 6 my breathing was way too hard. heart rate was too high and I had no balance.... or feel for what was happening. I tried to relax and Justin came up to me. At the time I was in 4th then to 5th behind Justin. Anyways I thought he'd just blow by as I was just kind of chillin and trying to find some rhythm. And for the next two miles or so I was able to just sit there with him. That was nice. I got some positive mojo back and felt like I might be able to really work the ending miles... Well between mile 9-10 I lost the confidence and Justin had pulled up on me by about 50 seconds. Mile 11 was no better as he was now about 65 seconds up and I looked back to see no one. So I just thought "5th it is". And kind of gave up the chase. Time or place were never a goal today. So I'm ok with both.
Hope to progress from this. Get some real workouts to fall down in the STG and maybe run another half in a month with some real "racing" goals.
Cooled down with Justin for 2.8 around the park. Then did some more getting back to the car.
The worst part of the day came during the cool down when my stomach really started to rumble. Since then I've been on the throne more than 15 time with lots of blood mixed in and coming out. Sorry it's gross but there's no pretty way to talk about it. Had crazy bad stomach cramping/ sick symptoms all day. I feel horrible. Like maybe worst post race stomach issues ever. Even worse than Hobble in 07. And that was bad before, during, and after. So another FML there.
Had the course @ 13.17 and I hit ALL the tangents. FYI
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