Philippians 4:13

PF Chang Rock and Roll Marathon

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Location:

Idaho Falls,ID,USA

Member Since:

Apr 21, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

2007 St. George Marathon 2:32:06 (marathon PR)

2014 St. George Marathon 2:32:45 (close to old PR...7 years later!)

2014 Boston Marathon, 2:39:00, 298th OA, 8th AG, 1st Idahoan

2013 Lake Lowell Marathon, 2:48:34 (Course Record), 1st Overall (#6)

2012 Boston Marathon, 2:43:26 (HOT!!), 114th OA, 9th Master OA, 1st Idahoan

2010 B&A Trail Marathon (MD), 2:40:18, 1st Overall (#3), Master's Course Record (still!)

2010 Mesa Falls Marathon, 2:48:55, 1st Overall (#4)

2009 Pocatello Marathon, 2:37:22, 1st Overall (#2)

2011 The M.A.D. Marathon, 2:55:14, 1st OA (training run) (#5)

2006 Teton Dam Marathon, 2:50:48 1st Overall (#1)

2015 Hood to Coast Relay (195 miles), 1st Masters Team (6th OA), 19:59:57, 6:03 avg pace for the team

2008 Ragner Relay Del Sol (182 mile relay) 1st place team 17:04:37, 5:38 pace avg for the team

50,000 lifetime miles from spring 2000 to October 2019.  Computer logged 50,000 miles from Jan 2005 to September 12, 2020. 

Logged (on computer) 49,802 miles (2 x circumference of the earth) in ~5,700 days (8/23/20)

Logged (on computer) 24,901 miles (circumference of the earth) in 2,889 days (11/29/12) http://jeff.fastrunningblog.com/blog-My-alarm-went-off-I-got-up-eventually-/11-29-2012.html  

Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep on running, enjoy it for the sake of running, relax and enjoy life...de-stress.  Stay fit as I enter retirement in < 4years.

No racing, retired.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep running until this old body says no, running for fun.

Personal:

 I started running competitively in 2005 and ran my first marathon in 2005. Now retired from competitive racing.

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.  - Psalm 86:1-7

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Miles:This week: 23.00 Month: 164.50 Year: 491.55
Runs With Moxie Lifetime Miles: 12491.60
Vibram Five Finger Bikila Lifetime Miles: 137.80
Saucony Xodus 2011 Lifetime Miles: 982.61
Saucony Fastwitch White 2019 Lifetime Miles: 1960.23
Saucony Guide Yellow 2019 Lifetime Miles: 1187.00
Brooks Launch 6 Red 2020 Lifetime Miles: 2227.00
Zoot Solana Tigers Lifetime Miles: 877.00
Nike React Infinity Black Flyknit 2021 Lifetime Miles: 960.90
Nike React Infinity Blue Flynit 2021 Lifetime Miles: 602.00
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Lifetime Miles: 667.00
Race: PF Chang Rock and Roll Marathon (26.2 Miles) 02:39:20, Place overall: 33, Place in age division: 4
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

Overall result of 2:39:20  (28th overall, 4th is age class according to early results).  Final results now show 30th male.

Got up at 4:00am to get ready for the race.  Hit the road by 5:30 and get to the start at about 6:15.  Rachel and I head the starting corrals amidst a big crowd.  Hit the porta potties, do some warmups on the side streets, ditch the clothes in the gear bag and head to the Preferred corral.  Thoughts of a top 10 finish evaporate after seeing lots of fast Russian runners and half of the Hanson Brooks distance running team in the elite corral.  Watch the wheelchair athletes go off, move to the start.  Here we go.

1 - 5:40  Running easy, right in between two groups by myself but feel good.

2 - 5:44 More of the same, looking for someone to run with but still solo.

3- 5:49 Still solo, but the support truck is next to me and yelling encouraging words.

4 - 5:48  Hook up with another runner, but he takes off at a pace that I am not ready to run.  Let him go.

5- 5:55  First 3 women catch me with their pacesetters.  Run with them for about a mile.  Another runner named Sean hooks up with me and we decide to run together for the rest of the race to a 2:35 goal.  Nice to have the company.

6 - 5:51  Still running strong and feeling good.  Take my first GU.

7 - 5:56  Still feeling good, but we decide to back it off to 6:00 to save some energy and just cruise for a few miles.

8 - 5:54  Right on 2:35 pace and feeling good.

9 - 6:00  Start of our cruise miles and feeling good still.

10 - 6:05  A bit of a hill, but still in cruise mode with Sean.  Another couple of runners run with us for a while but take off as we keep to plan.

11 - 6:05  Still feeling good, just taking it easy in the middle miles.

12 - 5:51  Second GU.  Push the pace back down to keep us on track.

13 - 6:03  Feeling good and just moving at an easy pace.

14 - 5:56  Right on target still.

15 - 6:07  First slower mile (sign of things to come) as my legs start to feel a bit heavy in my quads.

16 - 6:07  Still ok, but taking it easy but legs are feeling it.

17 - 6:17   Slower mile as legs are feeling the lactate build up.  This mile is "up" hill and into a headwind, so we don't worry too much.  Third GU to try and help with the legs and make sure no cramps come on later.

18 - 6:05  Reach the peak of the course, pass a couple of runners in this mile.  Still feeling ok.

19 - 6:08  4th gel as I take a few at the Powergel stop.  Feeling ok on the curves in this section.

20 - 6:11 Slowing now as my legs/quads start to feel the lactate acid building up.  Slowing up Sean but he is trying to drag me along.

21 - 6:23  Tell Sean to go for it as my legs are burning and I start to feel the onset of going anaerobic.  Take 5th gel pack.  Sign of things to come.

22 - 6:22 Try to push the pace, but no speed left.  Now looking for sub 2:40.

23 - 6:27  6th gel pack to stave off cramps as the lactate is killing my quads.  Just hang on for 2:40.

24 - 6:31  Just hang on and finish now!  Legs are trashed... but I can see the stadium.

25 - 6:28  Pushing to try and catch the guys who passed me and make dang sure the guy I passed at 18 does not get me back...this will not happen!

26 - 6:22 Push hard to get done fast. Crowds are picking up and this helps, as does seeing my family at 26.1 to get me the support for a kick at the end.

0.2 - 1:20 (5:41 pace)  Finish with all I have left to stay under 2:40.  Damn am I glad that is over.

Overall, feel pretty good with the result.  I learn that I probably went out too fast considering my winter distance training (nearly none of quality) and not training for this long and flat of a race.  I am used to hills and the ups and downs to give the muscle groups a bit of a rest. 

Head off with family and friends to watch Rachel finish the HM (1:59, beat her stated goal by over 10 minutes!!!).  Home for some lunch, time in the pool with the kids, beer and football games before dinner of Mexican food and margaritas.

Do I really have to head back to wintery Idaho on Tuesday!?!?

(Tangents - 126 miles)

Comments
From Dale on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 17:30:50

Nice race. The fade at the end was pretty darned small, and I'd guess you're dead-on about the hills vs flat course assessment. Still, can't complain about finishing 4th in your AG and 28th overall....very respectable. I'm sure there's faster ones in you for later on this year. Congrats!

From Paul Petersen on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 18:07:19

Nice job! Sub-2:40 is pretty stinkin' good for winter training.

From Superfly on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 18:18:48

Great job Jeff. With it being winter I think that is a great time. It looks like you ran a very smart race and was able to hold it together pretty good at the end. Although I do have one question. Do you normally take 6 gel's in a marathon? If so where do you keep them all? I've only been able to handle 2 GU's per marathon.

The weather here in STG is very nice today... So I'm guessing it's amazing down there right now. Soak it up and enjoy yourself.

From josse on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 18:34:26

Great job on the strong finish. A marathon in Jan. that is tough.

From jtshad on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 18:46:40

Thanks everyone.

Clyde, not normally...at St. George I only did 3. I carried 4 with me (I have shorts that have two front pockets and a rear zipper one) and then I grabbed 3 at the Powergel station at mile 19.

I did eat about 5 at Ogden, but they had so many on the course that I didn't have to carry more than 2.

From will on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 18:51:08

Very inspiring race report for me to read - I can only dream of going that fast! Congratulations on a gutty and well run race, and enjoy the rest of your vacation.

From James on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 19:23:47

Excellent Race! I am glad it was you running and not me. You have done a good job staying in good condition during the winter. Enjoy your success!

From Jon on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 19:29:13

Hey, good job. Like you said, this is an out of season race and you still broke 2:40. Keep up the good work.

From Jon on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 19:30:21

You even beat my TOU time by 1 second! And you are the easy leader on the mileage board so far this week...

From johnr on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 19:53:23

Jeff, Great race. That's a super time for January on a non aided course. Reading your recap makes me excited to go put in my 2nd run.

From Lybi on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 19:59:44

Great job Jtshad! This is a very respectable time on a non-aided course. You are off to a great start...2008 is going to be your year!

From Bonnie on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 20:00:15

Hi Jeff, I posted on your blog from yesterday about how excited I was that you ran a "except for SG" PR -- it really is impressive how those numbers are just coming down!! For a "less than optimal" timing in your training cycle you did fantastic.

Bonnie

From jeremystaples on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 20:28:38

Great job pushing through the fatigue! And, an exceptional race report. Nice way to sart 2008.

From Paul Ivory on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 20:56:00

Jeff, an awesome inspiring race report. You showed guts and what racing is all about in this one. Congrats!!

From Dallen on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 20:58:49

Congratulations. Great race, especially for a winter race for someone from eastern Idaho.

From Tom on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 21:35:32

Great job on the race! Wayta hang in there to get the sub 2:40.

From wheakory on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 21:35:47

Jeff, nice finish and way to break under 2:40. This is a very good time for a winter training period. You just used to the Idaho hills. You ran a great race and did what you had to do to finish under 2:40.

The California Marathon that I ran in November I was no where ready either for all the flat course miles and didn't train well for it. I guess using the same constant muscles for a course your going to run is a good idea to train for. But you had fun and your in warm weather, not where all the snow is at.

God Bless You Jeff and you got so many runs ahead of you.

From Dustin on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 21:46:33

Great Race! good luck with your recovery and your training throughout the spring

From Cody on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 22:19:39

Great Job Jeff! That is a great performance. Enjoy the weekend...er the last day of warmth I guess. You will have a great season, starting it off like this.

From jtshad on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 23:02:01

Thanks everyone, it was a fun experience in a great location and weather. The finishing line is something to experience with 34,000 finishers alone! The bag pickup was amazingly smooth, much better than St. George and we got out of the finish and home to Fountain Hills really fast.

I appreciate everyone's kind words and support. Looking forward to all the bloggers successes this year.

From Adam RW on Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 23:32:37

Another voice in the chorus but it has to be said. Great job! Way to hang tuff as your legs started to burn. Overall, sub-2:40 in the middle of the winter can't be beat. I can't wait to see what you will do come spring!

From crumpyb1 on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 09:06:09

Congratulations! Did you enjoy the games? I was cheering for the Colts and Giants. Next week, I hope the Chargers can beat the Patriots and the Packers can beat the Giants.

From Logan on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 09:18:53

Excellent job today. Great start to the year.

From Benn on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 09:42:29

Thanks for the encouragement, Jeff! And way to go on the sweet race! I loved reading your race report. It made me feel like I was right there alongside you. Looking forward to seeing how your year unfolds as well! 30th place of over 34,000?! that's insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From jfogg on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 10:02:26

You beat your Ogden (2007) time on a flat course after winter training...that's insane! Just because you were shooting for a better time does not take away from the amazing time you set. I think that this is a great indicator of how 2008 will be for you. You made us proud.

From Ian on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 10:53:05

Great race in the winter and a good inspiring race report, well done for pushing hard at the end to get under the 2:40.

From Dan S on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 11:18:33

Great job and an interesting race report. Way to tough it out!

From JohnK on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 11:50:39

Congrats on a very solid marathon. You worked hard to keep it sub-2:40 and didn't slow all that much. This should spur you on to a great year with many fine races.

From Tyson on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 11:51:53

Congrats! I did the half. It was a perfect day for a race.

From Mark on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 13:38:23

Great job on the race Jeff. That was an awesome time.

From JIm on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 14:19:24

Great race!! Looks like to did a great job of holding it together and breaking 2:40. That is a very solid result for a winter marathon. It is an interesting twist about running on the flats. I am a flat land runner and I always dread the hills. I am sure this will be a great year for you!

From Sasha Pachev on Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 14:33:23

Jeff - I think the biggest contributor to the slowdown in the second half of the race was getting sick around Christmas and missing some training in addition to losing the fitness. Then you just did not have enough time to get it back. Your November mileage was very solid, much better than your August prior to St. George, though. Your speed was fine for the goal - you ran a 5:40 and thought it was easy, this is on pace for 2:28.

Note that when you start feeling heavy around 18-20 miles, it is not from going anaerobic. You are out of fuel. The running is actually very aerobic, everything is like you are out for a brisk easy run, except you just cannot go any faster.

From Shauna on Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 00:32:23

Excellent job! I guess I forget this is the "off" season for you northerners. Glad you had a lot of time at the start line: the shuttle lines were a mile long when we got to the parking lot, but the marathoners got to cut to the front of the line. We made it to the start with 18 minutes to spare! It's fun to hear someone else's perspective on a local race.

From Dave Holt on Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 12:39:25

Great job Jeff. I have been thinking of running this one next year. Would you recommend it?

From MarcieJ on Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 17:25:01

Nice job Jeff! I think you did awesome! Wait to go, you are going to have a great year.

From Steve Hooper on Sun, Jan 20, 2008 at 11:52:47

Jeff, Great job in the Marathon last weekend! I think you are off to a great start for 08.

From MichelleL on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 at 18:06:18

Ok, a little late on commenting, but thanks for the write up, and nice job on the race. You gave your all.

From barry on Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 19:24:43

WOW, that is awesome. I love the play-by-play action it helps us to know how you were feeling. Good Job!!

From Lucia on Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:34:24

Congratulations Jeff, excellent job! Loved the report, such an inspiration to hear how you kept on going after feeling heavy legs and tired... "legs are trashed" and you were still doing 6-minute miles. You're a rock star!

From ChrisM on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 13:48:29

Good work jeff! Top job on hanging on in there towards the end, well done on getting the sub 2:40!

From Burt on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 15:10:25

Great job, Jeff. I know this race was over a year ago, but it still in quite an inspiration to me.

From Chad on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 15:19:59

Very impressive, Jeff! Sub 2:40 in the dead of winter (where you live, anyway). Very nice.

From Katie on Wed, Feb 04, 2009 at 07:37:30

Nice run, Jeff.

Considering your low mileage.... and when was the last time you ran over 14 miles prior to the marathon ?I'd say you really pulled one out of your ....hat.

No Virginia Beach for me this year. You?

From jtshad on Wed, Feb 04, 2009 at 11:03:59

Thanks everyone.

Katie, I am not sure about VA Beach, I have a call/email into to Rick but have not heard anything back so I don't know yet. Plus, I am running Boston this year so I don't know if I want to go run hard at Shamrock less than a month before Boston. We'll see. How is your running coming along? What are your race plans for the year?

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