Very happy with my race. The race pretty much played out as I was hoping it would for me. My goal was to shoot for 2:40:00-2:45:00, but if I was being realistic I knew it would be more like 2:42:30-2:45:00. I geared everything off of 2:42:30 and was on pace for a while, but just couldn't keep the pace where I needed to the last half of the race. Just over 6 min faster than last year.
First half = 1:23:37 Second half = 1:21:06
Miles 1-7: 6:20, 6:23, 6:01, 5:58, 6:04, 5:56, 5:57 Really, the race started off perfectly for me. Felt like I eased into the pace and after the first two miles the pace dropped, but I was comfortable. Actually was clipping off the miles a bit faster than I needed to, but not crazy fast. There was a group of about 5-6 of us for a while, including Chad R. and James. The three of us would stick together up through about 11-12, which really helped me. The miles were going by fast and I really enjoyed this part of the run.
Miles 8-13: 7:05, 6:45, 6:44, 6:56, 6:33, 6:17 Admittedly, this is a part of the course I struggle with. Not so much Veyo, but the hills that come after Veyo. I seem to bleed too much time on these hills and I think it costs me a bit. But I didn't want to go too fast through this stretch cause I wanted to conserve something for the downhill that was coming. Chad fell back around 11 or so and I beleive James fell back around 12. The hills seemed to go forever. Hit the half at 1:23:37, which is right around the time I was planning. Legs felt fine and I was ready to start to pick it up on the upcoming downhills.
Miles 14-20: 6:13, 5:57, 5:53, 6:01, 6:03, 6:26, 6:11 Snow Canyon is probably my favorite part of the course. I felt like I was solo for most of this stretch of the run, with the exception of 4-5 other guys who were in the vicinity. Love the crowds on this part of the course. Could see the escort of the lead women up ahead and it looked like she was coming back to me. Pretty much had them in sight for the whole last half of the race, but just couldn't close on her. I got up the last hill on mile 19 and was doing okay, but I could certainly feel the legs giving in a bit. Was just hoping the downhill would help me keep the pace around 6:00 for as long as possible.
Miles 21-26.2: 6:00, 6:16, 6:12, 6:13, 6:19, 6:37, 1:23 I'm really starting to feel the pain around 22. I know I have a bit more downhill to help me out, but I'm already dreading the last two miles. Trying to use the downhill and the crowds to help me as much as possible on this stretch. Eventually hit the diagonal and I'm struggling. I was surprised to see my mile 25 split as low as it was, but those last two miles seemed like they took forever. I was hurting pretty good and was so glad to make that last turn. I knew I was cutting it close to not breaking 2:45:00, but figured I had it when I made the last turn. My legs were very wobbley, and I was very happy to be done.
Like I said, I'm very happy with how this race went. I felt like I gave it all I had. I took four GUs and alternated Gatorade and water throughout the race. My stomach didn't give me any issues. I said this after last year's race, but I never thought I would be able to run a marathon this fast (never). I think with some more training, experience and luck that maybe could dip down under 2:40 one day. I owe a lot of credit to the Utah County guys. Running with them has made all the difference for me. I'm looking forward to recovering from this one as I have a lot of sore spots that I'm ready to get healed. Great day.
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