Still trying to process the race this morning. Stayed with my in-laws in Orem the night previous. Very little sleep as we had a tiny bed and it was burning hot. Up at 2:30, ate some breakfast used the potty and had my wife drop me off at the bus drop off. I was having my usual pre-race tummy issues but was there with enough time I thought it was all over by the time the race started.
Felt really good the first few miles, smooth and relaxed. Miles 1-7, 7:04.6:58,7:01,7:03,7:06,7:07,7:08, I could tell in here my stomach was not doing well, I kept looking for the bathrooms which were supposed to be every 2 miles but did not see one. I didn't want to go, and kept hoping it would go away but it was hard to keep a good rhythm. Hit the hills at 8-9 7:33-7:39, just kept it pretty smooth and didn't try to push it too hard up the hills.
Miles 11-13 - 7:07,7:26,7:13, I wanted to go out more aggressive to at least give myself a chance to qualify for boston it things worked out. I asked Sasha what I would need at the half to give myself the chance and he said 1:34 should cut it.
I was right there, BUT, my stomach had other plans finally found a bathroom before the start of the half and watched my average pace just plunge. I crossed the half after the long potty break around 1:35:30 ish and knew I would have to push it the second half.
Miles 14-7:50 potty break, 15 7:24, I knew I was in trouble here, stomach kept having issues and there was no port-a potties to be seen. Tried to stop as I had thankfully packed some TP in my pocked (first time ever, what a blessing) no where to go and had to keep plugging along mile 16 - 7:44 Mile 17 8:47, saw some bushes on the side of the road and there was no going any further, went into the bushes and my music cut off, my ipod got caught on some branches and flew off into the trees, lost a lot of time briefly looking for it and doing my business. Saw my mileage on the GPS and decided just to come back later and look for it. Made a little flag with some TP to mark the spot where it flew off.
I knew at this point my chances of breaking 3:10 were pretty much gone and I was pretty mad about the no potties and losing my I-pod, tried to use some anger and maybe run faster, miles 18-19 7:22-7:15,
I was in trouble here and decided to just use it as a learning experience and enjoy the scenery. Not getting any speed out of the legs and decided to save them and just call it a training run for the rest of the way in.
Miles 20-26 7:31,7:33,7:44,7:42,8:05,7:42,7:22, had a good finish but did not turn off my watch.
Met up with my wife at the finish and had a memorable time with her. So proud of her. Saw a few people from the blog at the finish. Legs are a bit sore but should not be very bad this time as I took it easy the last few miles.
On a positive note, I beat my spring marathon time from last year, I have not been able to do any speed, real tempo runs due to injury and realistically expected to be around 3:20, and drove back on the course to mile 16.51 and found my I-POD hidden in the leaves.
Time to hit the trails....
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