Winning Back What I Lost

Utah Valley Marathon

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Location:

Meridian,ID,US

Member Since:

Mar 31, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

PR's:

5K Beat Coach Pete Fun Run Boise, ID- 21:13(2009)

Meridan Barn Sour Days 10k, Meridian, ID- 41:32(2012)

Famous Potato Half Marathon, Boise, ID- 1:30:40 (2012)

Utah Valley Marathon, Provo, UT- 3:20:14 (2011)

Athlinks profile here.

Garmin Connect profile here.

Short-Term Running Goals:

2014 Racing Schedule and Goals:

-Get healthy

-St. George Marathon, October 4, 2014, St. George, UT

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run at least one marathon every year until I buy the farm.

Qualify for Boston Marathon.

Personal:

Started running in November 2007 to get fit. Now I'm back almost to square one after back surgery. I did it once and I'll do it again.

"In truth, runners don't race other runners. They race against themselves: to conquer their wills, to transcend their weaknesses, to beat back their nightmares. And while a runner can't actually beat himself, he can beat his time. Even years into running, he can get better." Running for His Life by Michael Hall.

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
New Balance MR 1400 Lifetime Miles:						392.77
Saucony Kinvara 2 Lifetime Miles:						424.41
Saucony Kinvara 3 Lifetime Miles:						438.89
Saucony Ride 5 Lifetime Miles:						235.68
Brooks Launch (Blue/Yellow) Lifetime Miles:						282.52
Hoka Rapa Nui Tarmac's Lifetime Miles:						181.17
Hoka Clifton (Blue)(2) Lifetime Miles:						164.15

Sat, Jun 09, 2012

Race: Utah Valley Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:50:24

Total Distance

26.20

Is this why I got up at 0'dark thirty on so many cold winter mornings? Is this why I ran all those long runs, tempo and speed workouts?

Headwinds, GI distress, and a lack of mental toughness. Those were the themes of the day. Started out strong, then the GI distress and headwinds began once we made the turn and hit the hills around the reservoir. Never recovered and hit the POPs 4 times between miles 11 and 16. Started walking for good after that last POP trip and even threw up once at mile 18. I really wanted to drop but my son was gracious enough to get up early and run out to meet me at mile 21 w/ a gatorade bottle. We walked for a few miles together and then he convinced me to jog it in the last 5k. He's a good kid. Really proud of him. Saw the rest of the family at mile 25 and my little 6 yo was so excited. Hard to be too disappointed when he thinks I'm some combination of Ryan Hall and Usain Bolt.

On the upside, I met a bunch of fellow bloggers and even got to hang out and run w/ Marlin. Good guy and a real tough runner (he ran a PR today into that horrible headwind). Very happy for him.

No splits, because really what's the point? I'll be back, just a little down right now.

Comments

From Alana on Sat, Jun 09, 2012 at 19:20:45 from 69.20.189.206

Neil, it was so nice visiting with you this morning! Wow that was a tough race. The winds were so hard that I never felt like I was running downhill! Yuck. Now we can look forward to St. George! I hope to see you there!

From Kam on Sat, Jun 09, 2012 at 19:38:51 from 65.130.19.178

Tough, tough day out there. The wind was something else. I hope conditions are much more favorable for your next attempt.

From allie on Sat, Jun 09, 2012 at 20:08:41 from 97.126.209.117

sorry to hear about your tough experience today. it sounds like that headwind was pretty nasty and affected everyone. GI distress on top of that only makes things tougher, but way to stick it out and finish what you started. you will bounce back from this and be stronger because of it.

From jtshad on Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 06:05:04 from 69.20.183.178

Sorry to hear about your tough race today. Between the wind and the GI issues you overcame a lot of adversity. I know about the GI issues and how bad they can be (I had them at UVM last year too...is it the race?).

I know you are disappointed but the marathon is a tough nut to crack and each race can make you stronger and is a learning experience. You still finished despite the issues which shows how tough a runner you are.

From Kelli on Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 07:58:44 from 67.172.235.55

Oh, man! Tough race, those were the themes for the day for quite a few of us. Glad you toughed it out and finished it. The perspective will hit later, it is is just a minor blip in the road.

From Marlin on Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 16:04:50 from 174.27.112.23

It was so nice to meet you Neil, I am looking forward to catching a race with you again as you are a great guy. Sorry the race didn't go the way you planned - it was tough out there yesterday. When Mauri and I come over to Boise to see our daughter I will give you a call and maybe meet at Ann Morrison Park for a run.

From Neil on Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 20:15:00 from 97.121.40.61

Thanks everyone! I'm down but not out. Really thought that yesterday would be my day but I just can't seem to figure out how to fuel leading up to and during the race. I guess it will make it that much sweeter when I finally learn how to run a marathon. Thanks again for all the support. Really nice to be associated with such a fine community of runners.

From Kelli on Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 22:34:24 from 67.172.235.55

I still have not figured it out, so let me know when you do! I will mimic your every move!

From SlowJoe on Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 18:46:09 from 69.131.141.92

Dang - I know what you mean about putting in all that training and then it just doesn't happen on race day. Nothing you can do about the headwinds, you just can't run a good pace into them. Have you tried immodium before a race? It's always worked for me when I remember it.

You're still definitely a sub-3:10 guy right now, just need the right race to execute it. Way to stick it out.

From Neil on Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 21:20:06 from 97.121.40.61

I've tried everything. Took an Immodium before and during the race. This is a little embarrassing to admit but I also took a 1/2 laxative pill the day before to try to empty my stomach. Unfortunately, the tension before the race prevented it from kicking in until halfway into the race. I could go on but the gist of the matter is that I need to find something that works because this shizz is getting old.

From Kelli on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:26:43 from 67.172.235.55

I take two immodiums before I go to bed the night before, 2 when I get up, and I bring another two in my pocket. Once I hit the porta potties at the start line I decide whether I need those or not. The last 3 races, I have taken them. It is amazing how whacked out the body systems get running a marathon, huh?

From Neil on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 14:06:57 from 97.121.40.61

@Kelli: never tried taking that high a dose of Immodium. At this point, I'll literally try anything though. If someone told me that performing a ritual animal sacrifice might help, I'd start gathering firewood. ;)

From Kelli on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 17:28:58 from 67.172.235.55

Neil, give that try and let me know. I will gladly sacrifice a stuffed animal or two. ;o)

I was given the immodium tip from a pro and I just keep adding a little to it hoping it will work. i do think the package says not to take more than 4 in 24 hours....but I never read that stuff. Also, the pill form seems to work better than the liquid.

Runners are so gross, we talk about poop!

From Neil on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 19:55:58 from 97.121.40.61

@Kelli: Haha. In any other context, talking about bowel movements with anonymous people on the interwebs might be considered socially unacceptable. ;)

From Kelli on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 19:58:22 from 67.172.235.55

But runners talk about it all, and far worse! It kinda cracks me up. I get embarrassed buying the immodium.

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