I ran the Ogden Marathon 2 years ago...in the rain. I ran it again this morning...IN. THE. RAIN!
I ran over 10 minutes slower than my goal, at one point was so cold I was scared, yet had the best marathon experience to date. It is going to take a few words to explain how the previous sentence makes sense. So, bear with me and read on if interested.
My goal going in was sub-2:50. My training would dictate that it was possible (so would the first 16 miles of the marathon). My mental game was sharp going in. All around, I felt good. I had accepted the fact that we were likely going to get rained on. I just didn't want a headwind. I am not capable of holding pace against a wind. Thankfully, the forecast looked decent when I went to bed Friday.
I woke up and ate my typical race-day breakfast of toast and peanut butter in the car on the drive north. I met Ben and I sipped my water and Gatorade and ate a banana on the bus up the canyon. We camped by a car in the field with Leslie and chatted for an hour and fifteen minutes. We were kind of rushed to the start. I saw and wished good luck to Fritz. Talked with Devra for a second and we were on our way.
I planned on taking it easy and just getting in a groove. I ran the first 3 miles with Devra who had a goal of sub-2:50 as well, but really wanted quicker than that. So, at about 3.5 I let her go ahead and stuck to my plan of 6:25s for miles 2-7. The temperature felt great to me. We started getting rain around 6 or so, I can't remember when it officially started, but it was coming down hard by 10 for sure. That is when I was in a little rut. I ran the first 9 miles without much change in the order of runners. Zac was about 50 meters ahead of me until I passed him on a slight climb just before 10. He looked so smooth. I was jealous of his form and how effortless it looked.
I was in that rut until about the half-way point. One of my friends was cheering at mile 11 and that boosted my spirits a little. Around 12, a kid in an orange jersey came up to me and we spent a mile together. He chatted a little and it took my mind off of things. When I hung the left after the half-way point, I was feeling good again and was ready to get through 14 and the one significant hill.
I made it to the hill and slowed down up the climb. Still feeling good and happy to not be in a rut any more. This mile was set to be my slowest, but I was still on pace. I was pleased and was ready to start hammering down and getting into a little quicker turnover again. Some time between 14 and 15 my left leg started to feel heavy. It was right when I needed to drop the pace. [let me interject some background now on my left leg]
I have had a lingering pain in the back of my left leg. Likely one of the multiple pieces that make up what we refer to as the hamstring. In my typical weekly training, it did not bother me. Yet, every so often I would feel this light pain while sitting at work or driving in my car. I came to find out that it was aggravated when I would do speedwork. If I ever dropped down to 5:15-5:30 pace, it would flare up. It flared up on one particular workout at Sugar House Park and the only way I could describe it to Fritz and Noah that day was that it felt like my left leg wasn't firing. I felt like I was having to drag it along to keep up. The last couple weeks of training, I avoided my top speed so I wouldn't aggravate the left leg before the race. However, I had that same lingering pain while sitting. [now back to the race]
So, here I am at 15 feeling good and knowing I am still on pace for a 2:49:XX. My left leg starts to flare. I knew then that I had 2 choices. I could fight through it, push the pace, and risk a more serious injury of my hamstring. Or, I could back off the pace, run easy, and try to enjoy myself. I don't want to lose time with heavy PT and possibly not be ready for other races this years, especially the Wasatch 100 this fall. I didn't have to think for more than a few seconds. I was going to wear a smile on my face and have fun! I backed off to a comfortable pace and started smiling.
My friend from mile 11 was at the dam. He asked if I was still in a rut. I told him that my leg was hurt, but that I was having fun. He smiled and said that was all that mattered. I spent the rest of the race smiling at and thanking all of the volunteers. I gave high-fives and danced through aid stations. I had a blast. It was the most fun I have had at a marathon. I was passed by a few people and I told them good job and wished them luck. In the canyon, I started to pass some half marathoners. It was inspiring to see them. I cheered them on and they returned the sentiment.
Around mile 19 I got really cold. For a few minutes, I was legitimately scared for how cold I was getting. My assumption is that the slower pace just didn't keep me as warm. I started feeling better a mile or so later, but was glad to finish and get in the warm tent.
So, I didn't get my goal of sub-2:50. I didn't race to my ability. But, I turned a bad situation into a good one and realized the power of one's attitude. Sure, I wish I was writing a report of a 2:49:XX or faster. That will come another day though. For now, I am happy with the race and my experience. I love running. I love the community and the support that is so abundant. We are all on the same journey and I am privileged to be a part of it.
Huge thanks go to Whitney and my folks for hanging at the finish in the cold with my two daughters. I couldn't have gotten to the start line in the shape I am in without all of those I get to train with and get tips from. If I start to name them, I am sure to forgot more than one. You know who you are and I give you a sincere Thank you!
I will post my splits below for fun. I am grateful I am in the shape I am where I can back off and run easy and still finish at 3 hours.
Mile Goal Actual
1 6:35 6:31
2 6:25 6:30
3 6:25 6:20
4 6:25 6:21
5 6:25 6:24
6 6:25 6:23
7 6:25 6:26
8 6:29 6:29
9 6:29 6:31
10 6:29 6:37
11 6:29 6:31
12 6:37 6:39
13 6:41 6:51
14 6:41 6:42
15 6:49 6:58
16 6:17 6:52
17 6:17 7:13
18 6:17 6:43
19 6:37 7:20
20 6:17 7:24
21 6:17 7:06
22 6:17 7:08
23 6:29 7:09
24 6:29 7:31
25 6:29 7:37
26 6:29 7:44
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