Went to bed with a sour stomach, had bad sleep all night. I think I was nervous/excited about the uneventful half. It ended up being a pretty eventful half. Josse got there early and warmed up before the half started, so she was ready to go. The only problem is she had a persistent painful cramp in her shoulder, possibly a breathing-related cramp, throughout the 1/2 which seemed to make it a very unpleasant run for her. She hung tough and didn't give up even when she wanted to. That's probably the best learning experience she could ask for. My troubles were more of a hit the bushes more often than Sasha variety, more unpleasant details to come. So we started off the first couple miles in about 7:15 and 7:10. It was Jeff, Josse and I. Sasha and Brad caught up to us right at the two mile mark (he ran with Hyrum for the first mile). We then started hitting 6:50-7 min through the 7 mile mark. At around 6-7 miles Josse was struggling to hit the splits but she kept working to close the gap and keep contact, with Sasha making his expected comments to keep her going. Brad and Sasha stayed with Josse and I pulled ahead with Jeff, determined to keep under 7 minute pace. We gain some ground on the 7 minute gal, but then I need to hit the bushes. Sasha and Josse come up on me as I finish up and Jeff and I take off again. Now I am behind the 7 minute gal but just by a second, easily regained. We stick to 6:35-6:45 pace for the next couple of miles, then I need to hit the bushes again, and I again have to play catch up. With 1.5 miles to go (about 11.5 mile mark) I know that I am having a truly glorious stomach day when I feel I need to hit the bushes again (the bathrooms along the trail were closed-what is wrong with Provo?!?). By this time I am feeling quite embarrassed since this is my first time running with Jeff and I happen to get the runs big time. At least I am practicing pottying fast like I will need to in races! Well, we were able to finish the last mile in 6:30 pace or slightly under. Then I head for Sasha's bathroom. Toilets are a glorious invention!
Overall pace 6:53 I ran with Sasha back toward the riverbottoms and he starts to tell me why my pace for Ogden s/b 7:10 instead of my desired 7:00 (I think he is perhaps right, but I am thinking 6:45-6:55 for first eight miles, then 7:15-7:25 for rollers through mile 17), and then we meet Sarah, and we have my first Sarah run, even if it was for only .12 miles. I am so grateful to my visit teacher who came and watched my kids so I could get out (Paul is in Ireland!). weight: 126, just where I hoped I would be after this run. I hope to be 124 or less for Ogden, but it has to come naturally. I need food and I still like bad food. I am going to Wal-mart this morning. I am hoping I can resist buying a candy bar - writing that down will help me in that quest.
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