Where do I begin? Today marks my 9th marathon: 

1. STG 09'       3:15:43

2. STG 12'       3:13:38

3. Ogden 14'    4:18:30

4. Ogden 15'    DNF

5. PHX 16'       3:31:48

6. STG 16'       3:28:37

7. STG 19'       3:29:26

8. Beav 20'      3:06:33

9. Char 22'       3:25:15

Some marathons I was injured going into it and probably shouldn't have run it. Other times injuries flared up and made it a rough day. One thing that has been a common trend among them is my inability to start out conservative. So obviously going into this one, finally, I would have figured it out. Especially after training more than I ever have and switching my diet.

Nope! I am still a bone head! Every time I hop on a downhill course and those miles come easy, I figure it's all good and I am not using any energy. Such was the case today, I just let the hills roll me into some fun mile splits. In the moment I didn't think it was taking a toll on my body. I knew I wanted to back off to 6:40-6:50 pace but the miles were coming so easy. At around 13 (where the biggest hill is) I was finally compelled to slow down a little bit. I thought perfect I have the 1st half in the books, now for a slower but still moving 2nd half. Things started to really unravel at 15-16 where I started to feel dehydrated and hot. I consumed a lot of nuun drinks and water at the aid stations. Somewhere during 16 my legs started to feel really tight. I kept chugging a long at a slower pace. I figured I could still make up the time. At 18 when I started to get some cramps in my calves and quads. I probably should have stopped and stretched but continued on. Mile 21 right before the turn, I was struck by cramp lightning and toppled over as my quads and calves were no longer relaxed but tight and painful. On my way to the ground I also bumped my watch into a setting I didn't recognize so I have some random splits. I might have hit my head too? Some people helped me stretch out the calves and then I continued on my way. Even at mile 21 I thought I could muster up some 7-8 minute miles to save my race. Unfortunately the cramping didn't stop at 21. It continued the rest of the race and I fell over at least 2 more times. One of the times I fell I heard someone shout: "call an ambulance!" I thought it was kind of funny even in my terrible condition. When I could run a little in those last couple of miles I was really nervous my legs would betray me again. So not the day I wanted. I blame myself for starting out too fast. I am sure that was the biggest factor in the cramping. I also need to figure out better hydration.

So where do I go from here? I am very dissappointed after today. I wasted a big opportunity. My training has been solid (thanks to Aaron and PV). I plan to train for STG and really get into some better speed play with Aaron. I know I can figure this marathon out. I just need to stop getting in my own way! I want to go from a mediocre marathon runner to a decent one. 

Miles:

1. 6:17

2. 6:03  12:20

3. 6:12  18:32

4. 6:08  24:40

5. 6:15  30:55

6. 6:15 37:10

7. 6:04  43:14

8. 6:00  49:14

9. 6:04  55:18

10. 6:15 1:01:33

11. 6:27  1:08:00

12. 6:34 1:14:34

13. 6:43 1:21:17

14. 6:40  1:27:57

15. 7:02  1:34:59

16. 7:41  1:42:40

17. 8:01  1:50:41

18. 8:41 1:59:21

19. 8:13  2:07:34

20. 8:14  2:15:48

21. 10:06 2:25:54

22. 9:03  2:34:57

23. 9:50  2:44:47

24. 10:10 2:54:57

25. 12:33  3:07:30

26. 14:36  3:22:06

.35. 2:54  3:25:00

Depressing progression of the race (the mat splits are different than my garmin splits): 

6.5         40:55/6:14 mi     projected 2:43:43

1/2         1:22:44/6:19 mi   projected 2:45:29

19.65     2:13:36/6:47 mi   projected 2:58:08

23.1       2:47:25/7:14 mi   projected 3:09:53

25.2       3:12:31/7:38 mi   projected 3:20:10

Finish:  3:25:15/7:49 mi