Believe to Achieve

I got up feeling really achy this morning but definitely could NOT stand Kim up!!  Last year  she ran me in the last 6.2 miles of the race.  This year I did the same thing.  I parked at the finish and ran up 8.25 miles on the sidewalk/river trail (so not on the race course) beside the runners cheering as I went.  On the trail by the mouth of the canyon I couldn't see people for two miles but when I got to Canyon Glen Park and got a great view of the leader pack for the marathon--- two Kenyans (I believe) and  a BYU runner closely together.  I then proceeded back down the trail to the next river park and cut over there to the highway to meet up with Kim.   I was just .1 miles from mile 20.   At this point I had run 7:42 avg pace (8.25 uphill) for 10.41 miles.   I chatted with a few people.  Even saw Tara in her regular clothes but running shoes :D.   We were worried about the women taking long to get to mile 20.  We saw Emily Bates in the lead by a margin and if the race was on time she was on for a 2:59 marathon.  She obviously picked it up since she came in 2:56 (so I heard).  Next was Danielle Johnson who said she was done but she kept going.  Then an older looking lady (sorry if you are young ) .  She looked to be in her late forties early fifties.  Then came a girl I did not know.  Then Julie Esplin then a blondes chicka alongside my wonderful friend Kim.  So I took off with her.  I paced her in at a 7 AP.  She stopped at water stops so we actually ran a little faster as the stops put us at 7AP.  We passed Julie Esplin just before mile 24.   THEN the saddest part of it all-- OUT OF COMPLETE NOWHERE my hamstring felt like it was ripping from the back of my leg.  I started to limp (but I couldn't tell Kim and worry or slow her down).  I thought this is BAD.  I can't keep this up or I will truly tear my hamstring.  So I stopped and hurried Kim off as I told her my hamstring almost ripped off.   I tried stretching etc... and even grabbed a complete stranger (luckily she is a nurse) to drive her elbow in to my hamstring as I layed on the grass and watched JulieE and Josse run off.  So sad.  I didn't even get to see Kim finish strong btw she ran a 6:48 last mile and came in sixth overall with a time of 3:06:09.  Apparently there was one chickadee we didn't account for.  A girl with a nose ring in.  Don't remember her but it all went by so fast when the first 7 women were coming through.   So bummer Kim missed out on the podium picture and the $200 for fifth!!    AP for last 6 miles for me limping the last mile =  7:06.   Splits for fun-- 8:42, 8:00, 7:42, 7:43,  7:47, 7:39 (can't believe these are all up hill :D), 7:36, 7:23 (the steepest uphill mile, strange),  now turnaround-- 7:24, 7:13, and 7:07 for .41 (on the course for this).  Splits with Kim--6:51, 6:59, 6:59, 7:17 (walking thru water stop and the uphill mile), 7:06 (was faster just before my hamstring bit the dust), and final mile after roadside repair by nurse-- 7:28.  NOT sure how I managed that but I was on the course and the crowd pulls you through anything.    AP for all 16 miles=  7:28.     Massaged by chiropracter after race and he told me I had a second degree tare.  There was bruising on the skin which isn't a good sign.  I didn't scrape myself there so it is kind of concerning.   Iced in river with Kim and Jane x 10 minutes.  BTW my plantar fascitis was very ANGRY in this run UP UNTIL the moment my hamstring crashed.  Now I barely notice it.  I am apparently falling apart at the seams!!!   Not sure why but I didn't feel any wind going down the canyon for 2.41 miles so I think the wind ended in the race at mile 18 or so. Even when I stood on the sidelines watching the lead men just before mile 19 I didn't feel any wind.