Ogden Marathon #4 in the books, hard to imagine actually. I'd classify this one as one of my toughest. I felt pretty good going into the race... I always seem to under estimate the importance of actaully getting in some long distance ROAD miles to prepare for one of these.. My longest road run was about 12 miles - many fantastical TRAIL miles though..
Started off feeling great, first mile 8:10 ( to fast for my training, but felt good, so next 6 miles around 7:50 avg mistake #1..) Mistake #2 came at mile 9 - the course switched this year to Cliff shots instead of gu.. I took one here and downed what seemed like a thick pudding of blue berries or something... ugh! The nex 6 miles crusing around Pineview to the half way point avg around 8:15 still feeling good, but sensing some trouble.. Hit the hill at mile 14 and just tried to make it to Porto Stop #1.. Ugh.. Once you feel Nausiated you're cooked (felt like water and Cliff pudding was sloshing around the rest of the run - until I heimlich'd myself after the race - note to self should have done this sooner) Had to slow the pace down, but had to make Porto Stop #2 at mile 17.5.. Knew race was cooked and everytime I drank something I just felt worse.. Decided I'd try and get under 4:00 and stick with it... Until mile 21, ran into a friend that was struggling with a leg cramp and walked/jogged her in from there, so actually I pretty suprised we hit 4:11 with basically walking a good portion of the last five...Felt good to help her finish though... That's what it's all about!!
Props to G' man - he had a great rUN!
Oh and FYI - G' had to borrow my Adrenaline Blue's because of his sausage toe.. | 