Denouement

Spanish Fork 1/2 Marathon

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Location:

Kowloon Tong,Hong Kong

Member Since:

Jul 02, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Olympic Trials Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided:

5K - 17:11 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:48 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:34 (road - Shek Mun 10k 12/12)

1/2 Marathon 1:19:44 (UNICEF HM 11/12)

Marathon 2:47:08 (ING Hartford Connecticut 10/10)

Aided:

St. George Marathon 2:50:40 (10/08)

1/2 marathon - Hobble Creek 1:17:14 (8/08)

10K - Deseret News 10K - 35:02 (7/08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

PR 1/2 marathon AGAIN


Long-Term Running Goals:

Break 2:46 in Boston!

Personal:

I used to run for BYU, but only after trying out three times and finally walking on, so I was never a star. However, it was wonderful to run with great people and under Coach Shane. When you run with fast people, you can't help to improve! I graduated BYU in 1998, and didn't run a race until 2002, after having my second child. My hiatus and other crazy life commitments have made my competitive running suffer, but the last couple of years I have tried to get back into it the best I can. I have been married since 1996, to Paul Lowry, who is a runner himself. I have three boys (my three rascals), ages 12, 10, and 8.

After a great 2008 season, I was injured and eventually diagnosed and cross-diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of arthritis disease, which precludes running for all but the most stubborn.  So I am on medications, trying to stay healthy, and seeing my PT often.  And running!  Now beating the streets in Hong Kong.

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
NB RC900 Black/yellow Lifetime Miles: 183.31
NB RC1300 Red/Black Lifetime Miles: 195.31
2012 MTR Lifetime Miles: 4035.70
890 Blue Lifetime Miles: 310.55
NB RC 1600 Lifetime Miles: 96.76
RC 1400 Lifetime Miles: 90.60
NB 890 Baby Blue Lifetime Miles: 233.26
NB 890 Electric Blue Lifetime Miles: 319.67
NB 890 Tokyo Turquoise Lifetime Miles: 163.54
Race: Spanish Fork 1/2 Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:22:09, Place overall: 1, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.170.0013.100.000.000.0020.2720.27

I would like to dedicate this race to:

Paul - for supporting my racing this whole season, without even grumpiness.

Dr. Brady - for keeping my body (most recently hamstring) in business.

Josse - for working out my calf so great yesterday.

And Katie - for her saucy comments yesterday which helped motivate me when I wasn't feeling so spry in the middle miles.

My goals for this race were to, 1) break my non-aided 1/2 marathon PR of 1:22:42 from Painters, 2) break 1:22:30, since you can generally run St. G twice as fast as this race, 3) break 1:22. Also the course record was 1:25:50 for women so I wanted to get my first course record.

The race had alot more participants this year than last year, probably almost double. There were about 600 for both the half and the 5k, so still a small race--but growing.

I warmed up with Josse (and it was in the 40's so we needed to warm up), went potty and stretched while in line, then got in the back of the potty line and did it all over again. I did a couple of wimpy strides. Fellow bloggers in the race (that I know) - Sasha, Chad, James, Josse, Cal, Paul Thomas, Tom, Kim, Coby, some lurkers, and probably others I'm not thinking of right now. A nice showing for the blog. Steve King, a sojourner, Carl, and Darin were there.

Splits according to mile markers:

1 - 6:26, stayed relaxed, I knew it would be a slow first mile, within a couple hundred yards Darin and I were discussing our projected times during the race and we started running together. Sasha almost gets run over while crossing the street ahead of us.

2 - 6:20

3 - 6:17, I am tracking how much I am off the 6:18 guy, not concerned at this point, I knew the first several miles would be slower

4 - 6:15, includes hill up to Osborns, stayed tough, saw Kellie and Tyler and that helped motivate

5 - 6:07, gradual downhill, Darin and I keep each other going, still working together

6 - 6:30, took a gu at the beginning of this mile, water at 5.6, short but steep hill (zephyr) at the end of the mile, I gain on Darin with short quick steps up the hill, remembering trick from HS, worked great

7 - 6:27, biggest longest hill in the first 2/3, Darin gains on me, then some downhill starts, and I pull away from Darin, I am behind the 6:18 guy by ten seconds, but plan to gain it all in the next mile

8 - 6:01, fastest mile of the course, we are done with the loop and now are passing 1/2 marathoners about to start the loop.  Their cheering is so helpful!

9 - 6:26, I take a gu at the beginning of this mile, choke on water as I try to drink, but continue to try since I know I need liquid to help the gu, I slow and Darin catches me, then start the gradual uphill

10 - 6:23, gradual uphill to Osborn's, then shorter, steeper downhill (same hill as was in mile 4 in reverse)

11 - 6:16, I have three miles to go as I start this mile and know I need to be 6:15 to be on target, 6:16 is close enough for me

12 - 6:10

13 - 5:50 (includes a short uphill to get out of riverbottoms)

 .11 in 35 sec (5:25 pace)

1:22:09. 

Ice bath

weight 121 

This is a great confidence booster.  Hobble Creek was not as strong of a race for me, I went out of that wondering if 2:45 was doable, but now I know it is.  I just have to keep healthy, taper and race smart (and have God's blessing since there's so many variables).

Our fellow bloggers and SF friends had great races.  I love the festive atmosphere at races, especially when I can hang out with running buddies. 

I won a $50 gift certificate to the local sports shop as my prize.  I hope to get a new pair of tights.  I need at least one new pair a year.  Perhaps I can finally throw away those awful ones I wore at Painters (all you who saw me race there know what I'm talking about).

 Pardon if my blog entry to day is overly excited.  I've got the runner's euphoria going.  I am very grateful to have this time in my life where I can train and race well.  God's given me this season and I am grateful for this gift.

Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Jody on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 13:57:55

CONGRATS! You continually amaze me!

From jtshad on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 14:11:38

Congrats once again, you are running very well and will crush SGM! Way to get the win, the course record and the PR! What else can we say about the best women's runner in Utah!

From Adam RW on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 14:23:43

Get as overly excited as you want! Great win and great course record!!! It is also so great to see when people put in the time and effort that they get the rewards that are coming to them. You have shown such drive and the road is all open from here!

From MarcieJ on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 14:28:42

Michelle you are so cool! Thanks for calling me after the race, I loved it! You are going to blow us all away at SG and I CANT wait!!!! You should be excited and have that runners euphoria high, you deserve it. You had an awesome time on a tough course. You rock! Those saucy comments can defintely be great motivation. I have had a few myself down here and it just makes me run faster!

From Bonnie on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 15:05:53

Great Job Michelle! I am very excited for you!

From Teena on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 15:28:39

Michelle!! You are INCREDIBLE!! I always love seeing you at races (even though I'm cheating a bit by lurking - I really should start blogging on here for real).

Congrats on a well deserved win!! Celebrate Big!!

From Clay on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 15:33:06

Michelle, great race you really looked strong when I saw you. I agree you should be excited, you are running great right now.

From Chad on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 15:47:57

Superb race, Michelle. What a great morning for you (and a nice wrap up to a big week of training) I can't wait to see what you do at St. George.

From Mike Warren on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 15:48:21

Michelle, excellent race! You are starting to look like a re-run. Good athletes perform well sometimes. Great athletes, bring it week in week out. you are getting so consistent, but I personally think you have just tapped the surface. Chalk another one up for Michelle!!

From josse on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 15:52:50

Great job Babe!! I feel so lucky for the dedication:) Right there between Dr B and Katie.

From jona on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 16:39:59

Michelle, don't apologize for your excitement, you should be very excited, you had an awesome race! Congratulations!

From paul on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 16:41:39

Very good race. It always feels good to crank one out on a challenging course. Also, wasn't Painters a short course? So you're way ahead of that.

From MichelleL on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 17:56:46

Thanks all for your comments!

Paul - my actual time at Painters was a 1:21 something, but we all compared notes, decided it was 12.95 miles, which converted my time to 1:22:42 for a true 1/2. So I wasn't way ahead of Painters, but 33 seconds ahead. I do think that this course is more challenging than Painters, but maybe that's just because I ran this course today and Painters last Jan is a distant memory.

From paul on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 18:10:04

Well, 33 seconds is still a nice chunk.

From marion on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 18:26:13

you a RCOKIN' sister! You deserve to be excited! Congratualtions!!!

From Brent on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 18:32:14

The Lion Queen Roars again. I am most impressed with you, not your running. 500 commando points for the PR and another 500 for the win.

Stay Kool, Grace under Fire, B of BS Rools out

From allie on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 21:50:18

NICE RACE! you are going to SMASH 3 hours at STG. Amazing! keep it up!

From ArmyRunner on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 23:37:37

Another great run Michelle. This time is actually much better than Painter's. Don't forget Painter's is at a much lower elevation and is a much faster course overall. So this PR smashes that one. I think 2:45 is well within reach. In fact if you have a great race and the stars align I see you with a decent shot at dipping under 2:40. Don't be afraid to go for it at St. George!

From MichelleL on Sat, Sep 06, 2008 at 23:59:01

Ted - thanks for your confidence in me, but boy that scares me to go for any lower than 2:45. 2:45 scares me. My current plan is to do the first half in 1:24. You think I should be more aggressive than that for first half, or plan for a 2:45 then just push the end if I'm feeling good?

From Jon on Sun, Sep 07, 2008 at 01:14:43

My only question is if Michelle actually will ever reach a peak, or if she will just keep improving forever until she can run a marathon in under an hour!?!

From kellies on Sun, Sep 07, 2008 at 02:13:17

Great job today Michelle. I am glad the cheering helped. You looked like you were just out for a walk in the park.

I ran this one last year and really liked it. I think we will try to do it next year if the circumstances permit.

Your tribute to your husband is very nice. That is incredible that he is so supportive of you with your level of running. You work hard and all of these races are when it starts to pay off :). Keep up the good work Michelle. We'll see you out on the road.

From luzylew on Sun, Sep 07, 2008 at 16:53:05

Thank you for sharing the euphoria Michelle. It's been a real pleasure to have insight into your training and successes thorought this race season- and an inspiration to read. You're just amazing. Keep strong and enjoy your SGM--you rock.

From James on Sun, Sep 07, 2008 at 16:58:31

Way destroy the women's course record! I think you can get your goal at St. George.

From ArmyRunner on Sun, Sep 07, 2008 at 23:23:44

Michelle,

I think you can race smart and ensure you are successful. I think a good first goal is to break 2:45 and good second goal is to give yourself a shot at 2:40. If all goes well one can expect a 4-6min negative split at St. George. With that in mind I think a first half of 1:23 is reasonable. Then if things feel good a 1:17 second half is possible on this course, if not I still think you would be able to accomplish the first goal of a 2:45. You are ready to run, I just wish I was able to run even if it was only to help pace you to a great race. You need to find a group of pacers, maybe some from the blog will volunteer to do so!

From Teena on Mon, Sep 08, 2008 at 00:21:00

Hey Michelle!!

Look, I'm now legit!! :)

Still have to get a hang of all the technical stuff that I am suppose to add though.

From Kelsey S on Mon, Sep 08, 2008 at 09:53:33

Congrats, what a great accomplishment!!!

From Cal on Mon, Sep 08, 2008 at 10:13:17

Congrats on another fine race! It's awesome to see how far you've come in the last year, and you're still getting better. You're very inspirational!

From Dale on Mon, Sep 08, 2008 at 10:18:31

Wow, there doesn't seem to be a limit to the amount of improvement you've been making! Simply amazing....keep it up!

From Merri on Mon, Sep 08, 2008 at 15:03:03

Way to go Michelle, you're awesome!

From MichelleL on Mon, Sep 08, 2008 at 19:05:47

Thanks all for your comments!

Ted - how fast can you move on those crutches? I actually pretended that you were pacing me during part of SF (this race was most like Painters so I recalled how it felt). Of course I also pretended Sasha was telling me to pick it up just to that next turn, or to keep up a rhythm "ta-ta-ta-ta". I'll be posting a St. G pacing thread like we had last year to find who's in my range. Hopefully we'll be able to put together a little group and we'll all help each other.

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