Whoa nellie, this event had me experiencing a range of emotions. I was definitely undertrained, and running the Ogden Marathon two weeks ago with my overall low mileage base probably wasnt so smart. I am proud of my finish though as this was above and beyond my comprehension and I am really a novice at this sort of thing. Started out with Oreo with our plan to stay together as we both wanted to have a good experience and neither one chasing some time, just wanted to finish with a great result being around 12 hours. From the get go I had kind of a queasy stomach and couldnt take in the normal gu and chomps and stuff that I tend to snack on...bad sign for the later parts today. I had prepared mountains of this stuff in my drop bags and carrying with me in the Nathan backpack. I ultimately only used a half a gu and about 3 chomps, and the rest was relying on aid station real food. I ate the potatoes and salt, watermelon, and about a half a peanut butter sandwich along the way...cups of coke here and there and drank only about 50 oz on the day. I could tell I was underfueled and underhydrated but my stomach was just that unsettled today. Shane told me the night before that the most important thing was just to decide that I was going to finish it. The pull to drop on this long day was incredible and I really didnt decide I was definitely going to finish come hell or high water was about mile 30. Oreo and I had a good time until he started mimicing a scene out of the Exorcist about mile 9 or 10 and was projectile vomiting clear water mid stride like a garden hose. He is a strong runner and a tough kid and I was impressed he hung in there for 30 miles with no fuel and feeling like Shizzola. I missed him for sure on the long hike up Spring canyon...a beast. Then ran again down the downhill to aid station 25...longer road than I expected. Finished the halfway in 6 hours, which was great and on my pace but I felt cooked. At the aid station I picked up a cold washcloth that became my friend for the next 8 hours over the second half...getting it wet at anywater oportunity. I was overheating early and often on the hot day. I felt my best coming back down spring canyon and then the first part of the Bon shoreline trail back to the Y..running/shuffling a lot. Put on some tunes and an NPR fresh air interview with the South Park dudes...I felt good here...hit about the Y and fell apart again...dizzy, light headed, underfueled, walked pretty much the rest of the trail and up Rock Canyon which was a total Bataan march for me. Two young girl angels were on the trail spritzing people...they saw my face and 104 degree body temp and just took their bucket and dumped it over my head. Saviors. I also got a call about mile 40 from my wife and daughter and I literally started crying I dont mind saying because of all the emotion was near the surface and I was in such a fatigued state of mind. Lost 7or 8 pounds today to go below 140 for the first time since junior high... not good. Anyway got myself together and pulled up the mountain falling once on the big snowbank. Ran and walked the downhill of Squaw...just couldnt maintain a run like I was hoping. Ahhh...finally asphalt and then my son joined me with a mile to go and glorious finish line!! This literally was the hardest physical, mental one day event that I have been in... I am proud that I finished but also realized I am not really built for this in my early running career...just ran first marathon last year. I am also really grateful for the aid station volunteers (saw Kelli who was a trooper staying out there all day) THanks!! Also It was fun to see the real stud runners like Shane and Bryce...you guys looked amazing. And Oreo, a major shout out to you for getting me to do this at all and hanging in on a tough day for as long as you did... I am even more impressed now with your strong finish last year. Time for something more sensible now...so fire up the boat for some good water skiing!
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