A very quick update: No sub-2:30 today, only a 2:34:13. I finished 7th overall and 3rd Master (Pepi and Ken both ran great and finished 2 and 3!...way to go old guys). It was just too hot today, 60 degrees at the start and pushing 80 by the time we finished.
Ran good through the half and hit my target at 1:16:36, but the second half I crashed (like many, many others!) and only was able to many a 1:17 and change! How can I run a positive split at SGM? My left leg really started getting tight at 19 miles and I was never able to open it up the rest of the way. Walter passed me about 19 miles, but stopped at 23 miles and I was able to hold him and Ben off.
Overall disappointed in the time (I didn't meet any of my goals) but happy with the placement. More later.
Now the rest of the story:
At the start, I saw lots of friends and acquaintances, including Ben, Walt, Ken Pliska, Christine Kennedy, Monte, etc. and planned to run with Walt, Ben and Ken and all try for sub 2:30. Right before the start I take some PowerBar Gel Blasts to get some fuel.
1- 5:44 Running in the chase pack right behind the leaders and feeling good but it was already warm.
2 - 5:50 Right on track to my pace band and feeling good, running with Ken Pliska and we start to chat a bit.
3 - 5:32 Hitting our marks perfectly, I notice that Ken is stronger on the uphills and I am little stronger going down but we agree to stay together to try and work both of us to our goals.
4 - 5:30 Still feeling good and on the mark, Ken and I are alone now with a group in front and in back of us.
5 - 5:38 Still rolling with Ken feeling pretty good. Try to take in hydration well to stay on top of the heat.
6 - 5:23 Wow, we are hitting the splits right on and can see Vejo in the distance. Ken says he thinks we are running a bit fast but we stay together.
7 - 5:19 Rolling into Vejo and grab my first bottle and PowerBar Gel. Hydration and fuel would be critical today in the heat, especially considering the snafu of the race...NO gels on the course at all!!!
8 - 6:32 This is actually a good split, but I know that I don't want to burn up on the uphills, so I let Ken go and hope to catch him on the downhills, he is running strong but I keep him in sight not too far off.
9 - 6:23 A bit slow, but not too far off. Ken is still pulling away and I can feel the pack behind me catching up.
10 - 6:15 I hit the 10 mile hard in just under 58 minutes so I still have a lead on my splits and can see Ken in the distance. One of the guys from the pack catches and passes me about here, bummer but I just keep trying to run in my groove.
11 - 6:30 Yikes, a really bad split as the hills are accummulating.
12 - 6:01 Better split, nearly on the mark and starting to get a bit of a breather as the hills are subsiding now.
13 - 5:48 Getting back, hit the half in 1:16:36, right on my mark. Now I hope I can roll on the downhills like 2007 (not going to happen!).
14 - 5:52 Again, starting to roll but where is the speed and open stride. I think it is here or 15 that I am passed again, dang!
15 - 5:26 Finally, a good mile again on the mark. Feeling pretty good and I am very glad I left a bottle and PowerBar PowerGel here.
16 - 5:22 Ok, is this the start of getting my legs back under me, a good mile and rolling.
17 - 5:46 Nope, missing the mark again and the temperature is really starting to rise with the sun.
18 - 5:49 Ok, it is going south. I just can't get my legs moving. I see the hill ahead and also see a runner ahead of me jump into a POP, I thought it was Ken but I was mistaken. I think it is about here that I see Peter Vail walking on the side of the road.
19 - 6:14 The hill sucked and I felt like I was crawling up it and had nothing in my legs. Grab my last bottle and PowerBar Gel to keep me going.
20 - 6:01 A crappy mile and this is where Walter comes flying by looking strong. I try to latch on but have nothing and watch him pull out and I just try to keep contact.
21 - 5:39 A better split but still off and not making headway on reeling Walter back in.
22 - 6:11 Just shoot me, shoot me now.
23 - 5:52 All hopes of a sub 2:30 are long gone, I know I can't even catch my time from 2007, so my head is just spinning.
24 - 5:52 Just past the aid station, I see Walter grab his bottle and he just stops...oh no, what's up? I run past him and tell him to keep it together and latch on. As I am coming into town, a spectator yells out I am 7th! What, how can that be? That is the only thing that sparks me so I just put my head down and try to charge with what I have left.
25 - 6:08 Death march through town, but nice to have the encouraging fans.
26 - 6:21 Just past the 25 mile marker, a woman is yelling encouragement when her 1 year old boy walks away from her right in front of me! I nearly bowl him over and do a pirouette in the air to avoid him and my legs both cramp. I spend the next quarter mile yelling out obscenities (sorry to everyone who heard me).
0.2 1:14 Turn onto 400 South and just try to press to keep 7th place.
Afterward, see Dave and give him a hug and wait for Ben and Walter to come in. Then we head to get some water and fuel and try to understand what happen today. I get a good massage and hang out for the awards ceremony with the guys and try to be encouraging but sensitive to everyone's feelings about the day. I get to be up on the podium and get some swag (gift certificate to St. George Running Center, travel $ for next year's race, bags and a top ten sweatshirt).
I see McKay who ran great, and also see Troy and Reed and chat a bit.
After the whole event, we go back to Clyde and Mik'ls house to chill, process the day, watch football, nap and eat. They are great for keeping me another day and can't say enough about how great they are.
An interesting day with a mixed bag of results and emotions. I am sore and now looking forward to getting home to my family after a long drive.
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