I can't seam to get my splits of of my Garmin, but this is what I remember
Got to Provo around 10:30 Friday morning and picked up my race bib and checked into my room at the Marriott Hotel. Decided to go and drive the course to kill some time and was to meet up with Neil at the expo later. Curt and Alana got into town and went and talked with them for a while and was nice to see them as it had been since we have gotten together for awhile and made plans to meet in the lobby in the morning around 3:20
Meet Neil around 4:30 or 5 and it was nice to talk to him in person other then the blog, what a great guy and was so nice to meet him. Hope to meet up at many more races or in Boise for a run when we go and see our Daughter in Boise.
Meet everyone in the lobby and we were on the first bus up the hill, and come to find out he didn't know how to get to the start line and Neil had to direct him up there, but we made it there. It was nice getting there early as there was no line in the P.O.P and we were able to choose about any fire pit we wanted. One thing that I love about running is the friendships you make with other runners as we talk and laughed alot.
Time for the start of the race and Gary, Neil and myself got together and the race started and the 3 of us were together for a few and Gary went ahead of us after a mile or so and Neil and I for the most part ran side by side from miles 1 - 3 as we caught up to the 3:15 pacer and followed him up to mile 7.5 and the start of the first big hill. I felt the pace was just alittle slow with the pacer and decided to move on and felt very confident I was not going to see him again, and by this time it became very stiff headwind,
8 - 9 was a little more up hill and then a short quick down hill and back up again.
10 -12 was down hill and due to the strong head wind it was not an easy down hill as the wind made you use more effort then what I should have.
13 I got to the half at around 1:36:30ish and I felt strong still and nor issues.
14 I lost satelite on my garmin and was not sure of my pace.
15 was more down hill and still have beenable to hold a 7:08 - 7:10 pace even with the strong head wind.
16 this was the last big hill, I didn't look up - just kept my head down and moving and was able to pass alot of people here. It surprised me some when I got to the top as in the past I have not been a very good hill runner and usually fall apart on the up hills.
17 still some up hill but got to the top and was in pretty good shape and knew it was down hill from here.
18-21 very windy coming down the hill and it was kinda messing with my head as the wind was causing me to use more effort and was making it feel like I was running on even or up hill.
22 started to feel a twitch in my left hamstring that didn't surprise me, as the same thing has happend in the last 2 marathons, but was still passing runners and was giving me alot of confidence.
23 feeling the hamstring alittle more now and was not trying to work the left leg to much.
24 now passing alot of half marathon runners/walkers and some runners that I have had my eye on for a few miles. Still holding the same pace but feeling the hamstring alittle more and was just in hopes that it will hold out.
25 ok it was time to make a desision as it now was starting to hurt - take a chance on making it to the finish or stop and stretch it out, I think I ran a smart race and was not going to take a chance ont it locking up, so I stopped and stretched it out for about 30 sec. and it was much better, but surprised I was not passed by anyone.
26.2 well I am glad I stopped to stretch it out as it just went away and was able to finish strong, but bummed that I went 24 sec. over a 3:15. Oh well, I am so happy with how I did as it is a new PR, and 9:36 min. under my qualifying time for Boston. Got something to drink and eat and went to find the booth that had the Boston Qualifying shirts. (they are awesome - I love it) Went back to the finish line to meet my friend and to congradulate them. Got with Neil at the finish and was so bummed his race didn't turn out the way he wanted it to
After the race it was nice to just hang out and talk with all my friend.
Finished 80 OA
4th in my AG
New PR of 3:15:24
Qualified for Boston 9:36 under
had a great day at a great race, just to bad the wind was the way it was. My wife was able to fix my computer and now able to down load my garmin and here are my pace times. 1- 7:14 2- 6:55 3- 7:05 4- 7:12 5- 7:11 6- 7:16 7- 7:10 8- 7:47 9- 7:40 10- 7:28 11- 7:40 12- 7:30 13- 7:25 14- 7:20 15 - 7:15 16- 7:40 17- 7:48 18- 7:27 19- 7:05 20- 7:17 21- 7:15 22- 7:28 23- 7:17 24- 7:50 25-26.2 I forgot to hit my lap button but time was 17:25 at at a 7:45 pace. | 