Terry's Running Blog

Rarely do the elements combine to give near perfect weather at St. George, but today got as close as it can get down there.  Originally, I had thought I'd go for a 3:05 but with the cooler weather and a tail wind at the start I decided to try for a sub 3.

I tried to get enough sleep this week and stretch and do enough good things so I'd have a chance at a good marathon.  Also, staying with Tom and Kim Lee always helps take the stress out of the hotel experience.  Plus they were invited to this awesome prior neighbor that now lives in SG and I tagged along.  The food was great and we got to watch the BYU/USU game.  Again no stressful finding a place to eat the night before the race.

Notes for self.  Took 4 salt pills, one prior to race, at miles 5,11,17.  Maybe I should have had another one at mile 23.  Also took an excedrin pre race and at half way.  I drank at every aid station and some of them I had two cups and I was still slightly dehydrated after the marathon even with the cool temperatures.  How much do you have to drink?

My goal was to not run any miles especially the downhill miles faster than my plan.  That was hard.  Good thing we have GPS's to let us know when we are going to fast.  A few times I'd look at my watch and it would be reading 6:05-6:10 and I'd have to slow back down.  My problem isn't hitting the wall it's that my legs cramp up.  The cramping happens sooner if I run a mile or two on the faster end, which then ruins the race because I have to slow way down or do the walk jog thing the rest of the way.

The start was good because like the weathman predicted it was blowing from the north and it was cold, maybe around 40.  I hit the porta potties and did about a 15 minute walk with a 1 minute jog with Tom and called it good for the warm up.

Miles 1-7, felt good, kept checking the watch so I wouldn't go out to fast. I like cold weather running so I took off the long sleeve shirt I was wearing at mile two.  At mile 7 I also got ride of the gloves I was wearing.  I questioned that idea for the next few miles as my hands got pretty cold, but I new the sun would make its appearance and everything would be fine.

Miles 8-13,  Took about a 35 second potty break at the bottom of Veyo hill.  Still feeling great and keeping the running under control.  To my suprise the 3:05 pace group passed me at about mile 10.  I didn't let it affect me because this is my 9th time running this and I had a plan.  They got about 200 yards ahead of me at one point.  I did want to tell them they were going out a little to fast but I didn't think it would really help anyone.  I was 92:46 at the half way point.  Just were I wanted to be.

Miles 14-20, Still feeling good, I really wanted to cruise the down hills miles of 15 when you get a view of Snow canyon but I resisted the urge.  Usually when I see the hill at mile 19 I dread it but this year it was no problem and I may have taken it a little to fast.  Also, I did pass up the 3:05 group at about mile 17 or 18.

Miles 21-26,  I really wanted to let loose and run some 6 even miles but I again resisted because I don't trust the cramping in my legs.  It was a good thing I resisted because at mile 23 my legs started the signs of cramping.  During mile 25 my right hammy cramped up and made me walk for about 10 steps before I felt I could try running again.  At that point I new I was on pace for sub 3 with my energy but had little time to spare for the slow down of cramped legs.  Thats when you start praying, pleading and hoping you can make your goal.  On mile 26 my legs were grabbing all over the place, calves, quads, hammies and I just had to try to run as easy and light as possible.  The last few hundred yards I was doing the staight legged funny run cause if I bent my legs to much they would cramp.  I made it by 4 SECONDS!!!   YEEHAW!!   According to RunPix I passed 62 people the last 7 miles and got passed by 4, or a gain of 58 people the last 7 miles.  Now that's how I like to finish a race.

After the race it took me awhile to be able to walk because my legs just wanted to cramp.  So I went very slow for awhile until they started to return to normal.  Loved eating ice cream, chocolate milk, yougart and bread after.  I'm all for free food.

I'm sure there were a lot of PR's and great times due to the weather.