Went down to Phoenix with the family and ran the Lost Dutchman in Apache Junction. The course was probably the toughest I've run. It has 3 good climbs at 9-13 miles, 16-19 and 21-24. Unfortunately, the web-site elevation profile was not exactly true to the course. I drove it on Saturday and knew I would have a hard time breaking 3:00 hours (this was not going to be a PR course). The first 6 miles had some spectacular scenery and the organization/volunteers were incredible. The first 5-6 miles is dirt road. The entire dirt section had short, steep pitches, but was where most of the elevation drop was recorded. Over the entire course you lose about 400 feet. Below are my splits and you can see where the wheels came off! Mile 1: 6:24. 118 feet drop. Great start, right on time at 7 AM. Mile 2: 6:22. 49 feet drop. I began to sweat and threw my gloves away here. This is usually bad news for cramping.
Mile 3.6:32. 42 feet drop. There was a pack of about 15-20 runners in front of me, but I knew it was going to be a long race. Mile 4: 6:24. 37 feet drop. Starting to reel some runners in. Mile 5: 6:21. 44 feet drop. I caught my first two runners. This is where the dirt road ends and pavement begins. Mile 6: 6:24. 40 feet drop. On a paved road now and my legs began to feel better. Mile 7: 6:24. 84 feet drop. This is where the residential part ends and you get on a major highway (Hwy 60). Mile 8: 6:30. 25 feet drop. I was able to finally get a pace working and caught two more runners. Mile 9: 6:30. 24 feet climb. This where a major hill begins. I'm taking plenty of water and Heed (like Cytomax) at the aid station every 2 miles. Mile 10: 6:39. 25 feet climb. The bad part of these climbs is you can see them forever like St. George. Mile 11: 6:46. 85 feet climb. Tough section. They had a Hammer gel station and I was able to get a small amount down. Mile 12: 6:46. 40 feet climb. Almost to the top with some sharp curves. Mile 13: 6:35. 67 feet drop. Over the first major climb! Wahoo! I passed one guy cramping. I was really worried this was going to be me soon. The heat was probably up to 65 degrees by now. I know it was 77 degrees at the finished with no clouds! Mile 14: 6:19. 58 feet drop. My fastest mile. I was feeling pretty strong and caught another runner. Mile 15: 6:34. 76 feet drop. Legs are starting to get a little tight. This section put us back on the main highway (Hwy 60). Mile 16: 6:34. 36 feet drop. I can the next major hill looming. Mile 17: 6:43. 11 feet climb. Tough section. We had to run on the far side of a ditch with big rocks because the road was too narrow for cars and traffic. This created a lot of dust which made it hard to breath. Mile 18: 6:56. 39 feet climb. Another gel station. The course is about to join the 1/2 marathoners, but the marathon people had to go beyond the half turn around..suck. Mile 19: 7:14. 113 feet climb. Out and back. The steepest climb of the run. Nothing like hitting this at mile 19. I can see how far ahead the other runners are and know I can not catch anyone else. I also get a chance to see how close the pursuing runners are. I'm over 1/2 mile ahead, so I knew my placing was secure. The person behind me would be the first woman finisher.
Mile 20: 6:48. 56 feet drop. I tried to find some speed again, but began to do the marathon shuffle past the slower half marathon people. Mile 21: 6:46. 48 feet drop. I know I'm not going to find that 6:30 pace again unless I jump on a motorcycle. Now I just don't want to walk.
Mile 22: 7:01. 15 feet drop. The official elevation chart shows it is all down hill the last 10K, but I can see a big climb on the horizon. Mile 23: 7:29. 67 feet climb. Running with my head down now. Mile 24. 7:33. 45 feet climb. One more push uphill before the finish. Great encouragement from the half marathoners. They were hard to pass, but I'm glad they were there.
Mile 25. 7:22. 40 feet drop. A little relief before the finish. Mile 26. 7:29. 29 feet drop. This is a little deceiving because you have to climb up a big shoulder to get on the higher road to the finish. Mile 26.22. 8:14 pace. 34 feet drop. I ran the last 0.15 my 3 year old. It probably cost me 30-40 seconds, but we loved it. I was glad to be done and did not walk although my 7:30+ were close to walks. I got a very nice plaque for winning my age group, but they I saw all the 40+ guys that beat me! There were several good runners there. The course record was actually broken by the first four finishers. The winning time was around 2:27 which I was really impressed with given the course. I felt like this the most challenging of the 13 marathons I have run and am looking forward to the 3 billion feet drop at St. George this Fall!
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