Fly on the Wall

City of Trees

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Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,

Member Since:

Nov 14, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

50k:  4:59 at Buffalo Run in 2010  (32 miles)

Marathon:  3:01 at St. George in 2009!

Half:  1:29 at Painter's/ St. George in 2009.  1:27 at Salt Lake in 2009 (aided course)

10k: 40:53 Greek Festival 10k at Sugar House park in 2010.

5miles: 32:10 Dam 2 Dam in 2009.  Master's winner.

5k: 20:00:00  19:54 in May 2010.

2008:  Ran the Slam + Boston

I need to update this!

Short-Term Running Goals:

Carpe Diem.

Don't trip over my own feet.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep running.

Personal:

1 wife

1 girl child

1 boy child

1 big dog

1 little dog

I'm a geologist for my day job.

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: City of Trees (26.2 Miles) 03:11:48, Place overall: 13, Place in age division: 2
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

I'm just not sure what to say about this race.  I finished 13th overall, 5th Masters, and 2nd in my age group with a time of 3:11:49.  So I met my goal of getting an award but I should have done much better and thus left happy but not fulfilled.  Of course any marathon you can start is a good one and any one you can finish is even better!!!

The course seemed to have a bit more elevation than I anticipated and a sub 3 would have been nearly miraculous but I should have been close. 

I felt fine at the start.  One fast guy took broke away right from the start.  Next was a group of about 10 runners on a sub-3 pace. Then there was the group I fell in with.  There were about 5 of us and I think we were all geezers.  As my goal was to finish within top 3 for my age or masters, I decided this was a good group to run with even though the pace was a bit slower than planned. 

The first 6 miles were uphill and the pace felt just fine.  Many of these miles were passed in conversation.  In mile 5 I decided to pick up the pace and our group dropped to 3, and then 2 on the subsequent downhill. 

I was still feeling carefree and great through the half.  Still pulling up the hills on miles 14 and 16 but not picking it back up on the flats and downs.  I really slowed on the hill of mile 19 and could never pick it back up. 

My legs felt shot by mile 19 and then they cramped up good enough to crush my stride.  The cramps migrated around my right leg, then my left, then went to a side stitch, and even my shoulder.  Weird, I usually don't get cramps, especially this early.  The cramps went away but I was just shot.  My pace just kept getting progressively slower.  (Even before the cramps my pace was slowing.) 

At mile 20 I figured I only needed a sub 8 pace to keep it under 3:10 but I couldn't even keep that and I got passed by a couple of runners. 

At mile 25.5 was a sign that said "full marathoners" with an arrow to turn left. I took the turn and then realized that the sign was only meant for when we ran this section earlier on the course.  Luckily I didn't get far before my fogged brain realized something was wrong so I stopped and then turned around.  Unfortunately while on my detour I got chicked!  :)  To add insult to injury I latter found out (from one of my friends on the course) that the chick had missed a turn and cut off a 1/3 mile out and back piece of the course.  Doh!  (She won by 10 minutes so this short cut didn't change her placing.  I heard other runners talking about how then got lost on various parts of the course.) 

I'm not sure what did me in.  The temps were not ideal but ok, 53° at the start, 67° at the finish.  I could have gotten a bit dehydrated???  I'm just not sure.  Some of the aid stations seemed far apart and my stomach didn't want much more fluid, but???

On the plus side I went to Boise with my kids and we stayed with long time family friends.  They all came out to cheer for me at several places on the course and at the finish.  This was great!  As was our whole trip.

I picked up my 2nd place medal with the announcement that, "yes he did run the whole race with that Hawaiian shirt!"  :)  Also, this race was not only on a Sunday but there was beer at the finish line. I think the one I had may have helped my muscles relax a bit and maybe aided recovery?  Even if it did not, it sure tasted good.  :)

Splits

6:57

6:52

7:05

7:21

7:07

7:05

6:33

6:44

6:49

6:47

6:59

7:02

7:01

1:31:06 at the half

7:05

7:04

7:19

7:06

7:14

7:47

7:39

7:55

7:54

8:08

8:11

8:23

8:24

3:11:49

Comments
From timp on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 18:46:34 from 136.182.2.25

Great race and report, Fly! Congrats on the 2nd in AG.

Some times the marathon gods smile at us and all things click in to place and then sometimes they don't. You did a great job with holding on through the cramps.

And I agree, there isn't much better than a cold beer after a long hard race.

From Andy on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 18:51:01 from 198.60.22.10

Nice race and report. Looks like you had a good pacing strategy. Sounds like you had a good weekend even if the time was a little slower than you wanted. BTW, you are such a heathen.

From Smooth on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 19:02:41 from 67.41.235.104

CONGRATS on taking 2nd! EXCELLENT effort in pushing thru the cramps, I HATE those! That's a VERY FAST time under those conditions!

You're one of those who don't like to get chicked? :)

You really wore the Hawaiian shirt the whole time? Was it *cool*?

From Teena Marie on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 19:13:24 from 174.23.122.157

I have been waiting for this race report FOREVER!!!! :)

Nicely done, Fly. I am certain that had they provided you with an OJ/Vodka mix at mile 20 that you would have sailed right through those last 6.2 miles. :)

I looked at the course map before you ran. I thought ... "Dang, those first handful of miles don't look fun." A 3:11 on a course with no elevation net drop is stinkin' fast!!!!! I can only imagine what your time would have been had you been feelin' it!

You rock! You know that!! :)

Beer???? Blah ... I once had a can dumped on my head. I thought it tasted icky! Must be a taste you have to acquire. ;)

I hope you are happy enough to still celebrate in City Creek. Next week?

Seriously ... 2nd place!!! That is AWESOME!!!! A huge congrats. (You would not have been chicked had she not missed the turn, however, I have to admit that I *LOVE* it!!!)

Where's the pic of the shirt??

From allie on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 19:22:24 from 174.23.232.22

great report and congrats on a solid race! those last few miles are always tough and i think you held it together very well. glad you had a fun trip.

From Snoqualmie on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 19:38:12 from 24.18.192.33

I'm sorry to hear about the misdirections. I've been thinking of running this one someday but it's a nightmare of mine to get lost during a marathon.

Great job on the AG award. Geezers unite!

From fly on the Wall on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 19:53:28 from 204.113.19.47

Thanks Allie.

Teena, I told your OJ story while running. :) There is much to celebrate! What day are we running City Creek? Anyone joining us?

Smooth, I happy to get chicked... But I don't like to get passed when I'm lost on a detour. I've been "passed" by runners who didn't run the whole course in my last two races. :( I couldn't say the shirt is cool but it is comfortable and made it easy for my friends to spot me coming.

Andy, I could change my name to Heathen Hits the Wall, but it doesn't have the same ring to it.

Tim, Cheers!

From fly on the Wall on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 19:56:06 from 204.113.19.47

Snoqu, I had fun and I liked the course but I really had to pay attention to not get lost more than once.

From DonGardinero on Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 22:35:29 from 68.24.96.219

Nicely done Fly!!!! Way to get 'er done in the Hawaiian shirt. The only race I know of in Utah that serves beer after is the mid mountain marathon.

From RivertonPaul on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 13:20:32 from 67.42.27.114

Fly, nice training, I'm sorry you didn't hit all of your goals but still a very strong run.

From Kathie on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 13:35:10 from 63.248.105.188

Nice race and and award to boot!

From Andy on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 14:36:50 from 159.212.71.17

Just read another City of Trees report elsewhere that mentions "Hawaiian Shirt Guy" in it. http://www.runango.com/forums/topic_show.pl?tid=139768

From Rhett on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 15:55:32 from 184.10.154.226

Great race Fly. That is a tough course and you ran a great time. I'm sure you can go sub 3 on an easier course. Congrats on the AG award as well. You're running has been great lately. Keep it up. Any idea what your next marathon will be?

From fly on the Wall on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 17:01:55 from 204.113.19.47

Thanks Andy, That was the guy I ran with before I faded. :) :(

Rhett, Thanks. I'm not sure what is next. I better figure something out soon. Races seem to fill way to fast.

From jtshad on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 19:05:02 from 204.134.132.225

Great job on the race, sorry you didn't get your goals but congrats on the AG award. The course is not bad, but it is deceptive in that you would think it would be faster. It also sucks that they run you within 200-300 meters of the finish line 3 times before you finish!

When I ran that race back in 2005, they had beer not only at the finish, but at the aid station at the 25 mile mark...it was so tempting!

From Teena Marie on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 23:05:46 from 174.23.122.157

Fly~

Yep, celebration time for sure!!!!

The more the merrier! Who do you want to join us?

From fly on the Wall on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 13:13:31 from 204.113.19.47

Anyone, everyone, or no one, as long as they don't want to run fast! Just tell me what day works best (I can't even remember what day of the week it was last time.... Guess I could look it up.)

From Calvin on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:20:53 from 66.133.117.3

Congrats on another fine race Fly! Sounds like you had a great time even falling short of your goals. Running in the Hawaiian shirt was epic.

From RivertonPaul on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:28:38 from 67.42.27.114

Nice pics:

http://images20.brightroom.com/imgbkp04/74357/74357-011-016f.jpg

http://images20.brightroom.com/imgbkp04/74357/74357-053-002f.jpg

http://images20.brightroom.com/imgbkp04/74357/74357-003-020f.jpg

http://images20.brightroom.com/imgbkp04/74357/74357-053-003f.jpg

http://images20.brightroom.com/imgbkp04/74357/74357-053-004f.jpg

From timp on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 18:42:41 from 136.182.2.25

love the shirt, man -

From Kelli on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 19:06:47 from 71.219.65.246

Happy but not fulfilled, I like that description. I think everyone has felt that one! Sorry it was not as planned, but glad that you enjoyed some time with the family!

From Kelli on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 19:08:09 from 71.219.65.246

OH, and LOVE the shirt. I can not believe you can run in that. I think it goes right with the marathoner I always see in his cut-off white shorts. (Okay, your shirt is classy, his shorts are NOT, but they both seem uncomfortable.)

From Rhett on Fri, Oct 15, 2010 at 12:05:33 from 184.10.154.226

Fly, did you rub your upper body in vaseline before that race? I'm thinking you would have serious chafing if not. I love the look though. Maybe you should design Hawaiian shirts in a dry fit fabric and make millions of $. I'd buy one.

From fly on the Wall on Fri, Oct 15, 2010 at 13:25:05 from 166.70.192.189

No need for the vaseline rub, the shirt is super light weight, ultra wicking, quick dry, polyester fabric... I just took my running clothes out of the washer and it is the first thing dry on the line. I've been looking for a shirt like it for years, even asking some small running apparel companies at race expos to start making them. I finally found this one....... at DI. I think it cost $3. :)

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