Believe to Achieve

Plan 20 miler up/down Provo Canyon starting at Kneaders in Provo with 8 at marathon pace at the end.  Noticed Flag at maceys going west in the wind.  But not too badly.  But that always changes in the canyon.  Had to delete garmin 15 secs into run as it said memory was full.  Off to a slow start here.  It is 8:32am.  Stopped tried to figure out watch and quickly deleted data from over a month ago.  Sure hope I didn't delete things I hadn't downloaded yet.  Oh well. No time to delete individual activities.  I got to get started. Start out with my skirt and two layers on top with gloves.  Removed gloves at three miles and top layer at 8 miles.  The first few steps of my run I was seriously considering my sanity.  My legs ever so slowly moved.  I just said come on Julie you were ready yesterday.  Kept putting one foot in front of the other.  Passed the first water fountain at mile 2 and was like hey it is only mile two and there is a water fountain at the base of south fork.  WELL unfortunately it was not turned on nor were the bathrooms unlocked, except the outhouse ones which I quickly used.  I spent time walking from building to building trying to find an on spicket.  NOTHING.  This bummed me out.  I was now running my entire run with no water til I get back to about mile 17 and 18 where there are two.  Even the bathrooms at the campground were locked and the water was off.  I only took 10 seconds to check there.  So on up I went. That first mile into south fork was dreadfully hard.  I was wanting out right then but I pushed through and made it to 10 miles not even noticing the park I passed at mile 8 with a water fountain!!!  I was in a zone but I found it on my way back just before mile 12 and my 8 miles at marathon pace.  Halleluyah!!!  I was in heaven.  Took a gu at mile 5  and 10 (the turn around on top) and was thoroughly parched without water with it.  So thankful for that fountain.  It is at the start of the Provo Half and Marathon tomorrow.  Perhaps that is why it is on.  AT mile two of marathon pace miles I nearly finished the whole run.  I struggled to keep under 7.  It is where the steep downhill turns FLAT for a mile.  My body was not happy with the sudden change.  I had read an article in the runners world last night about positive thoughts and that negative really hampers your efforts.  I put it to the test and began with some positive voices to myself instead of the IMMENSE amount of negative self talk I was giving myself the entire run.  AND guess what???? it REALLY worked.  I surged and I didn't die and I felt better.  I had to purposely change my thinking several times in those 8 miles.  I was SO very close to quitting....but once I made the change... I believed in myself and I actually was able to run better and finish strong.  Splits---8:24, 8:06, 7:52, 7:53, 7:58 , 7:53, 7:37, 8:14 (200 feet elevation gain), 7:48, 7:53, down hill but easy pace no effort here the next two miles-- 7:25, 7:23, Marathon pace-- first mile too much downhill I had to slow myself down-- 6:44, 6:56 (that flat mile), 6:46, 6:48, 6:45, 6:46, 6:50, and 6:40.  Iced in Provo River up the canyon a bit.  Had to drive there.  8 minutes.  Ahhhhh.  Felt great.  Got in car and accidentally left my running shoes on the roof.  I saw flashes of Pink through my rear view mirror.  I did a U-ey on the Provo Canyon Highway and went back for them.  So glad I saw them or they would be Hamburger by Now.  Funny sight.