Seeking a better country...

Long, faster than expected run with Matt and Angie. A thunderclap that sounded like a bomb woke me up at 2:15.  Only Jack cried, which was surprising.  I got up after 3 more hours of listening to the rain and thunder.  Breakfast was oatmeal and PBH sandwich.  We met and headed 20 miles up the road from Huntsville, placing drinks every 5 miles.  I wanted 4 mile stops, but I didn't want to seem like a baby.  All the bathrooms were locked at the top, but runners are good at improvisation.  

So the plan was to run 12-15 miles easy down the hill, then pick it up at the end for some marathon pace.  Matt missed the memorandum though, and we took off running crazy, 6:40 pace from go.  There was no letting up, as this course is pretty steep.  We were so dialed in, we ran right past our 5 mile water stop.  At mile 10 I had a flat Dew (bad idea) while the others GUed.  We commented how fast we were going, but nobody seemed capable of holding back.  We got onto the familiar miles of the Ogden Marathon and Striders Half marathon course, and the fast miles just kept coming.  I figured we'd end up dying at the end, but we just kept pushing, finishing up with 6:50 miles for 18-20.  

Once we got to the park, my feet were cooked.  We got a drink, chatted with Jake and Andrea, then slowly (finally) ran another couple miles.  My only regret of the run was that the Chevron was sold out of chocolate milk.  

Today my legs feel tired, but not beat up.  That run was more than I bargained for, but I'm glad of it.  Matt and Angie are tough runners.  Angie dragged me along through some gut-wrenching miles at 16-17.  I was glad to have pushed through, cuz the rest of them felt better.  I'll take all those data points I can get.  

12 miles on the bike to review the course for the tri tomorrow.

a.m. A mile plus of running around with my kids on their sprint tri. Both of them won in the 12-14 age divisions. Regrettably, the division was broken down as 18 and under. I'm really happy for both of them. The goody bag had registration cards for a 10k on Thanksgiving; Jens already paid for his own entry, and Grace asked me to sign her card. Good stuff.

In the p.m. We went to Freedom Hills for a Labor Day picnic following a day full of yard work and cleaning. Of course the switchbacks beckoned. I completed four with my left morton toe throbbing and my blistered right instep refilling. Afterward, I rooted around the valve boxes in the park and turned on some sprinklers to run through and play frisbee. Most of us got all the way wet. Jack got a few drops and didn't like it. He said quite a lot of stern gibberish, so I got him out of the wet zone. It was a great send off to summer vacation. 5 kids back to school all day tomorrow.

60/100

It got dark, so I did 6 switchback equivalents on the treadmill. 10% incline, 6 mph for 5 minutes. After each one I ran around my .5 mile block for "recovery". It was hot and sweaty in the basement, much more cool and windy outside.

66/100

8 p.m.  Jack was sad, so I got him out of his crib and we delivered a few bills.  He stayed awake till mile four, but was very quiet.  I would ask,  "Jack, are you still awake?"  He would answer me in his guttural, glottal talk, and we'd visit for a while.  He went to sleep nicely when we returned home, thank goodness.  I hate listening to the baby "cry it out".  

I barely kept going after I got the bills dropped off, one mile in.  I felt SO sluggish.  I've been staying up late watching baseball, and it caught up to me.  I promised myself a big chocolate shake if I endured the run.   I must be in full marathon mode, because by mile 4 or 5  things felt pretty good.  It's weird how it can take so long to warm up.

No switchbacks.  :( 

.5 mile warmup, 6 switchback equivalents, 1.5 mile cool down.  

72/100 

Due to a last minute camping trip, I missed going long Saturday morning.  After spending the day working around the house, I knew I needed to get some work in, so off to Freedom Hills, just after sunset.  I knew the darkness would limit my number, but I can't fall behind.  On the third trip down the switchback trail, I rolled my rt ankle so far that I felt it up to my knee.  I'm lucky I'm small, and don't put that much weight.  I foolishly persisted, and did two more, descending much more slowly and carefully.  There's a certain spot on the trail where I heard some critter hissing at me each time I went by.  By the 7th time by, I decided it was some reedy plant scraping on a rock in the wind.  But it hissed at me on my final climb; I remain unsure what the noise is.  In any case, I was glad to finish.  Afterward, I went and got scraped around the tennis court by my son.  He's quite a player, whereas I haven't played much tennis.  It's too much like pulling weeds; most of what you do is pick green things off the ground.  Good times, though.

77/100.

6:50 a.m.  I left the house after feeding Ash a mug of Cheerios and eating some oatmeal.  The morning was perfect; nice and cool.  I ran a couple miles, and saw a couple ladies running who were legit.  Turns out it was AngieB and Jasmine Sessions.  I ran with them (at a much faster than recovery pace) for the next 7 or 8 miles.  Great talk about racing and the upcoming marathon-  3 weeks to go!  Some alarm went off in my brain as we approached the Farmington cemetery.    Jasmine said it was 8:11.  I had 49 minutes to get home, clean up and make it to church.  No problem, hahaha.  I got those last 4 miles done, came through the door at 8:42, and only missed an opening song.  

Great run, not exactly "easy miles".  I love fitting everything in.   

I ran to chase the sunset, like an inverted lava flow, fiery orange cooling to smoky grey.  The wind kept company, and distracted all the bugs.  As the cloudy sky darkened, the foothills dimly glowed in the foreground of black peaks.

5 hr. at mile 15 and 21, Smarties till then.  That's the long and short of it.  I also want to say, I love cookies too, but not enough to name my blog after that attribute.  But I'm totally fine with those who do. 

8:30 p.m.  Another beautiful sunset; 3 in a row.  7 simulated switchbacks with cool down loops around the block in between each lung-busting climb.  1800' vert.  I'm becoming weary of switchbacks.  The first one nearly killed me, but by the end, everything was clicking.

 84/100 

Slow 10k with Tami, Jens came for 4.  I love the cool nights.  I wish my back felt better.  Anybody not going to Logan this weekend want to run 12-16 on Saturday morning?  Easy pace, maybe out and back up Mueller Canyon, or a loop on BST to LPT or...I'm flexible.

I don't remember what shoes I wore, actually.  Jack was out of formula, and his favorite food source is out of town, so we ran to Target to get some more.  Then ran some more.  He fell asleep, and I wouldn't think it would be that difficult for cars to stay out of the bike lane, but apparently that's too much to ask in North Centerville.

6 more switchbacks.  Little A girls came along; they did one trip up and back.  (I bribed them with an ice cream cone.)  Either I took these way too easy, or the last 84 are doing their job...I just checked.  I was listening to a Butterflies and Hurricanes, and made it up in 4:30 on #4.  That's a lot of improvement in a month.

90/100 

6:20 am. Headed north on Main. I really wasn't feeling it; walking after each mile for a bit. I even stopped to lie down in a driveway after mile 3. This seemed to help, and I kept going. I ran into Jasmine at about 5 miles. She had 20 planned so we ran the next 9 or so together. We took the switchback trail up to BST and ran to 1300 east in Bountiful. These were tough miles with lots of climb. I had no fuel, which is becoming thematic. . I turned for home just after rocket park.

Following the run I spent 6 hours helping the boys catch up on the lawns. My arms got as tired as my legs. Again, no food from 10:30 till 4:30.

Next week's long run will be 75 minutes. I'm jealous of everyone who ran TOU yesterday. I wish my marathon was complete. It's going to be a great day, but I'm not excited about the next 2 weeks of anxiety.

91/100 bonus switchback without the down. I think I'll be able to wrap up nine more in the next 12 days.

Jens asked me if I wanted to go for a run.  I did not want to go for a run at all.  But I couldn't miss the opportunity to help him scratch that itch, so we went, nice and easy.  He always picks up the last mile and tries to dust me off, and tonight I let him.

I know I'm pretty ready for this marathon because none of my pants stay up; that and my torso looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model. 

4 miles outside.  Punchy, quick pace, no watch.  I became weary of tasting the air, and finished up inside.  I'm WAY behind on watching football.  It would probably be fine if I didn't catch up.  For the last mile, I did a switchback equivalent.  The treadmill does a good job of taking away quick pace.  It's weird.

92/100 

9:30 p.m.  The first 5k was awful, but the remainder improved progressively.  It is taking me at least three miles to get started on runs lately.  Weird.  Or is it?  Anyway, while returning from Farmington, some kid blasted by me on the other side of the street.  I didn't like getting passed, so I picked up to match his pace.  We pulled even, and I could hear him breathing hard.  Within a mile he had fallen off.  I love it when I can grind down a punk kid.  It is a wonderfully cool evening.

Ah, this race coming up.  It vexes the mind, it does.  "I declare myself loosed from imaginary limits."  Gotta get my head to believe... 

9 p.m.  Because of early darkness, I resorted to simulated switchbacks on the TM.  I'll definitely do the last three on the trail.  Maybe I'll install an obelisk as a monument to my "achievement."   I was so wound up after the workout, I watched TV till midnight.  Fell asleep during Parks and Rec, so I knew it was time to go to bed.

97/100 

6 a.m.  Ran on Main, couldn't find any company.  75 minutes of running for the last "long" run.

12:30 p.m.  For informational purposes, I ran the last 5 miles of the marathon course with Dave.  Tami came to shuttle and check out the course.  I'm familiar with the first 20, and the remainder looks good.  The road has some twists and turns, but it's much more flat than the late stages of TOU.  Today made me concerned about the heat on Saturday.  Come what may...

9 minute pace, which was perfect for shaking loose all the weird residual aches and pains from helping with my son's Eagle project yesterday.  

8 p.m.  My lawn guy is sick, so I mowed lawns for 4 hours after work, then went for this easy run.  It's hard to settle down and run easy when visions of finish lines dance in your head.  I felt really stale.  I'm sure/I hope all the walking had something to do with it.

I am remembering the 20 mile tempo run with Matt and Angi, and the 97 switchbacks.  I've put in the quality.  My quantity might be lacking a bit.  I hope this is the time I don't quit early.  I like how Jake put it on his blog; "Finish with authority."  I think that's what he said.  Anyhow, that's what I'm saying.   

8 p.m.  I drove to Freedom Hills to finish off the switchbacks.  It was full dark, but a waxing moon lit the eastern sky.  I had a flashlight but didn't need it, except to alert the creatures lurking in the foliage.  98, 99, 100.  On my last trip up, I counted steps; 884.  I thought about what I accomplished on the way back down.  My conclusion?  We'll see.  I know I worked hard on those 50 miles.  

When I got to the bottom gate again, I only hesitated for a moment before turning around to climb once more.  101.  Take that, switchbacks.

101/100 

7:30 a.m.  Two with Jack; or as allie would say, deux.

Rise at 6, eat, POP, get ready.  I carpooled at 7:00 with Dave, Spencer and Tami.  Spencer is a grizzled marathon vet, but Tami (my wife) and Dave (my brother in law) were running their first marathons.  We got to Huntsville, and found a bus for the long ride up to the start.  We joked and had a good time for the drive, and immediately joined the lengthy POP line.  Lots of people have complained about the late start, but I was glad to be doing all this stuff at a normal time in the daylight.  I remember starting Layton marathon a couple years ago and running for 7 miles in blackness, never seeing anything or recognizing a face.  The scenery was beautiful, and it was great to see all the people and feel the unmistakable energy of runners milling about preparing to do battle.  

I've been targeting this race, expecting to run 2:55-3:05.   I rested well all week, ate and drank big on Thursday, then went back to normal routine on Friday.  For breakfast I had oatmeal, 2 toasts, and ate a sandwich and donut holes on the bus and waiting for the start, plus 20 oz powerade.  I was topped off, more fueled up than for any other race.  My Smarties and 5 hr energy strategy was in place, except for one thing; I neglected to remove my utility belt before I threw my bag on the trailer.  Luckily, I located my bag in a sea of identical drops just before they pulled away.  The temp at the top was pleasant, but not cool enough.   When the race started it was probably 60.  I left Tami and Dave, and headed up for the front to run with Angi and Josse (good to meet her in person).  They were both gunning for sub-3.  Right on time a weak-sauce siren sounded.  Nobody started until the race director frantically waved everyone on.

 The first 18 miles of this course average 3-4% grade.  The miles rolled by with seemingly little effort.  I ran with Angi and Josse for the first 4 miles, then Josse dropped back a bit.  We settled in around 20-25th place, and just rolled down the mountain.  The aspens were gorgeous.  I noted clouds, and willed them to move south to block the sun.  Alas, they dissipated, and we ran the whole race in full sun.  I was surprised at a straight section around mile 6 to see a glimpse of the lead motorcycle.  That's by far the longest I've ever stayed near the front.  Everybody held position till around mile 5.  From there to 18 we would come on a runner or two every mile, and pass them.  We ran through all the aid stations, taking what we could on the go.  Angi was 1st female, of course, so she got lots of cheers.  These miles were unremarkable from a racing standpoint; we just rolled.  

Splits for 1-13:   6:36, 6:41, 6:33, 6:38, 6:34, 6:34, 6:36, 6:34, 6:40, 6:35, 6:36, 6:33, 6:29.  The half time was 1:26:12.  I had planned on 1:26 or 1:27 to leave a reasonable shot at sub 3, so we were right on track.  Through this point, I had eaten 150 calories of smarties, had a tiny bit of gatorade, and dumped lots of water on myself.  I ditched my shirt at mile 9; it was already becoming uncomfortably warm.

The halfway point of the marathon is triumphant and demoralizing.  I was happy to be on track, but cowed at the task which remained.  I had run 13 of the 18 "easy" miles.  I had spent most, if not all my stored energy.   The work was only beginning.  At this point, Angi plugged into her music.  Within moments she gapped me.  I closed it and she encouraged me to follow suit; the music was pumping her up.  I got mine on, and we continued down the course together, but running solo.  The temperature was rising, and stirring up a dreaded headwind.  It was drowning out my music, so I know it was a stiff breeze.  We dealt with it for the last half of the race.  Thinking back to UVM, I tried to draft and get Angi to draft, but I gotta be honest, neither one of us make a very good wind shield.  We probably could have worked together a little better; it might have made a difference in the end.

Mile 14: 6:35--  Still rolling along, enjoying the aided grade

Mile 15:  6:35-- drank a 5 hr.

Mile 16: 6:33-- Feeling good, although my right glute is getting a bit tight.

Mile 17:  6:09-- This freaked me out!  The caffeine must have really kicked in.  

Mile 18:  7:43--  Oh.  I see.  The marker wasn't placed correctly.  I'm using a Timex watch,  so marker placement actually matters.  Angi's Garmin beeped 50 meters in advance of every marker, and this was the only one that was way off.  At this point, I'm cloudy enough mentally that I can't figure out  the real average of those two miles.  So I didn't know I was in trouble until 2 miles after the trouble began.  Corrected splits average 6:51.  I am running out of grade and dropping 20 seconds per mile.

Mile 19:  7:00--  Huh.  A legit mile in the 7s.  3-4% grade has turned into .5-1%.  This is really starting to feel like work.  It's been 4-5 miles since I ate anything.  I still don't eat anything, though 8 packs of Smarties remain in my belt. (That's 120 smartie discs)

Mile 20:  7:15--  I'm not stopping the bleeding.  Angi and I are running our own races now.  I know Tara is coming to run at mile 21, and I'm holding on for that.  I was at 2:12 at this point.  "A 48 minute 10k.  I should be able to do that.  7:30 pace is 45 minutes, leaving 3 minutes for .2 miles.  Okay, I can keep it under 7:30's for the rest of the way.  I don't want this to be close."

Mile 21:  7:16--  Tara arrives.  I take another 5 hr.  This is really hard.  She is encouraging, going back and forth between Angi and me.  Angi has picked up a bike pacer, who gives me some water that is cold.  I drink a little and squirt the rest all over me; I feel much cooler.  We have turned off the highway on to the windy (in both pronunciations of the word) road past the monastery.  Tara points out a red shirt guy.  She says he's 2nd place.  I tell her, "No way.  There's another 10 or 15 guys up there."   I can't believe five miles remain.  I ran this last week with Dave, and we've got a long way to go.

Mile 22:  7:35--  Wow.  This is hard.  I'm getting dizzy.  I try to surge, to keep pace, but when I go a little harder, the dizziness slows me down.  I keep the effort steady.  Angi is still right there; we can still make sub 3.  The margin is super close, though.  

Mile 23:  7:35--  Angi walks a bit.  Does that mean I get to walk?  "Oh no you don't, Kam.  Not today.  Not on my watch."  Tara is relentless.  "I feel so dizzy."  "I don't care.  Run till you fall down.  Keep running."  I keep running.  I pass the red shirt guy while he is walking.

Mile 24:   7:56-- Oh no.  That's a lot of seconds over 7:30 pace.  Surge...dizzy...slow down.  "Don't you dare walk.  You ran those workouts.  You ran those switchbacks.  Earn it.  Go."  Still moving, NOT walking.

Mile 25:  7:43--  That's a little better, but not enough.  

To the finish:  9:00, 7:30 pace--  We are back to 500 S., heading toward the park.  One mile straight, then a final turn into the finish.  Rollers, up and over the highway.  A policeman is holding up traffic.  I wish I had to wait for the cars.  Switchbacks kick in.  Tara, lying through her teeth, "Wow.  Who does that?  You are picking it up on the hills."  I'll take any encouragement.  Sweet mother, this finish is going to be close.  I didn't want to be this close.  The road to the park is lined with US flags.  I run by the 26 mile marker, and turn right.  "Take the tangent!  Go, Kam.  That's the finish.  Everything...go, go, go!!"

Tara drops away.  I'm going as hard as I can.  I look at my watch.  I can't make out the numbers.  I hear the announcer guy, "And our second place finisher from Centerville, Utah, Kam Fillmore!!"    I cross the line.  My 6 year old says I collapsed, but I prefer to say I lay down abruptly.  The volunteer says, "Okay, you need to get up."  "In a few minutes."  Oh the drama.  They wheel me into a tent.  I lie for a while with ice bags dripping sweet coolness all over my head, neck, shoulders, stuffed in my shorts.  Revival.  Oranges, grapes, creamies, water, smiley kids, elation.  3:00:34.  

I delude myself into thinking that clock is synced to the half marathon start.  No such luck.  It's official.   I'm 35 seconds away from being legit.  Sigh.

I don't feel great, but we have other work to do.  There are still family members on the course, so we head back to that final turn to wait for Tami.  We are having a great time passing out ice cubes to tired, hot, thirsty people at mile 24.5, trying to coax and encourage them to the finish.  Tami comes.  She's plugging along, grinding them out.  I joined her for the last 1.5 (bonus miles!)   She's so great.  I'm so proud of her, making it through her marathon without her shins exploding.   Dave comes in as well, so we all made it.  

Unexpectedly, we hung around for awards.  The had a trophy with a couple Snowbasin ski passes.  1st place was 90 seconds ahead.  I didn't have another 35 seconds in me, let alone 90.  Angi won, of course, but they had the female winners all messed up, somehow, so she didn't get the adulation she deserved.  The runners all knew who won, even if the RD didn't.

Man, this is long.  So looking things over, I have a couple thoughts.  I should have kept better contact with Angi.  We could have worked together for a few more miles.  Tara, bless her, was good for at least 3-6 minutes faster finishing time.  She lived up to her assurance that there would be no walking this day.

I wonder about the 5 hr.  I never stacked 2 that close, and I wonder if the dizziness had anything to do with it, or if it was just the heat and exertion.  Hmmm.  I should have eaten stuff after mile 13.  I could analyze this to death.  The bottom line, though, Saturday was an incredible day.