Splits: 6:38, 6:17, 6:26, 6:44, 7:00, 7:17, 8:09, 7:36, 6:40, 7:11, 6:41, 6:48, 6:42, 6:57, 6:38, 6:53, 6:43, 7:40 (bathroom stop), 6:39, 7:05, 8:16, 6:48, 7:49, 7:48, 7:56, 8:33, 2:19
Early morning. Woke up at 1:45 so I could get ready and drive to catch the bus. Luckily I went to bed at 8:00. So I actually got some good sleep. Okay, so I feel a lot better about things after looking over my splits. The plan was to start conservative, take it relatively easy going up Little Mtn, and hit the 1/2 mark around 1:28 and then hopefully have something left to come in right around the 3 hour mark. Started off perfect going down Big Mtn. Easy, relaxed and everything is good. Start climbling around 5, 6 & 7 and I feel like I'm taking it pretty easy. Apparently I took it too easy as I didn't realize it at the time, but I was shocked to see an 8:09 mile. Settle back into a groove on some more downhill and am loving the turnaround point where I could see the runners up ahead of me. I only notice Allie and Riverton Paul from the blog and they were both running strong. Around mile 10 I pass a girl and my guess now is that at the time she was in 4th place for the women. She was losing steam pretty fast though. I pretty much was by myself all through these miles up until around 14, where I get passed by an older man as I stop to drink some water and put on some music. In hindsight, I wish I would have gone without the music. I'm loving the canyon though and the temps are still cool for me. Legs are still feeling good up through the turnoff out of the canyon. One of my goals was to not let Wasatch Blvd get the best of me this time around. Kept a good steady pace, but finally had to stop at the Port O' Potty around mile 17. This cost me a good minute. Turn on to Foothill and I start catching the 2 guys ahead of me. And then......I succumb to the dead and tired legs and walk on mile 21. This is not good and usually signals the end for me. Once I give in and walk, it is easy to keep giving in and walking. Funny thing is, I was doing so well just before this and hanging on strong. I HATE FOOTHILL BLVD now!!! I actually recovered quite nicely on the next downhill portion. At this point the legs are wasted and I'm wishing I had somebody to run me in the last 4-5 miles. I think I may have seen D. Holt (may not have been him as I only recognize him from the blog) around mile 21 and I almost told him I would pay him to run me in. The run/walk continues. I get passed by one guy, but I pass him back at mile 24 as I see my parents and get some more downhill. He passes me back and probably finished 2 min. ahead of me. I end up getting passed by 2 more guys around mile 26. See Smooth and Teena I believe by the finish. They are the best dang people to have cheer you in. Couldn't help but smile when I heard them. Overall, a bit disappointed, but it wasn't too bad of a race for me. It was actually the 2nd fastest marathon time I've had. I probably got the time I deserved for the shape I was in. However, the good thing is that I have a ton of desire to bring my time down and get faster/better. I think if I could break the 3 hr mark it would be a big confident boost. Just got to figure out how to do it and I got to get mentally stronger in those last miles and not give in as easily. Good learning experience though.
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