Oh what a race. I have learned much about marathoning in the past 2 years AND 2 days! #6 is in the bag and right now I have NO earthly idea how I will do this again in 3 short weeks. I had the best time with Smooth! The people around us may have been annoyed to all get out, but it was one of the most enjoyable marathons I've done. I love being around other amazing runners and feeding off their energy - definitely worth paying for my last long trainer before UVM. Things I learned this time around: I must still respect this distance. 3 hours of sleep and not eating well the night/week before to not go well with asking your body to keep you moving at a decent pace for 26+ miles. *I like hills :) yes, I said it. Don't expect me to ever say it again :) When the hill came at mile 14 I was SO happy and the flats afterward were a dream. I usually look forward to the canyon, but after that first big drop after the dam my legs wanted more hills. I was excited to see little ups on the canyon road and trail. *Taking a few moments to walk and drink/gu through the water stops is totally worth it! The splits may not seem very nice during the short walk, but being able to get in fuel makes my belly happy and my mind! *Smooth is an amazing person and I need her on auto-play during every marathon I run! The day started out much to early - especially since I didn't go to bed like planned and only got 3 hours of sleep. I was SO very grateful for the ride I got up to Ogden so I didn't have to drive home in a delirium afterward. Plus, it was excellent company as well. The bus ride up is my least favorite part of a marathon. They drive me for what seems like an hour up to the middle of no-where and drop me off and expect me to get back all on my own two feet?!? Yeah...head games. Waiting at the top was fabulous, got to see a ton of fellow runners and feed off their energy! Also, Smooth got me an extra pair of shoes to wear in the mud - a priceless trick I won't soon forget. Then we were off, started just in front of the 4:00 pacers - perfectly positioned. We started probably a little too fast, but we were just enjoying the run and were definitely at a comfortable pace. Mile 9 was Terry's - a pacemaker eliminated him from our group today and I have some excellent memories of running my first 11 miles with Terry 2 years ago during my first marathon. We ran like horses and enjoyed the perfect weather. Mile 14 as the hill hit Smooth had forgotten to take her inhaler early and had a small attack on the hill. I'm amazed at her ability and determined mind and body to get through. I tried my best to distract her and get her relaxed and breathing smoothly again. I think I failed miserably, but about a mile later she was back to her regular breathing and sounding a TON better. The dam was next, the uphills were VERY welcome preceding the dam and I almost missed them as we started down the canyon. My legs started telling me they were done...tired an getting heavy and achy. Lack of training and running starting to rear its ugly head - on my favorite part of the downhill -shoot. I felt like I was just whining and complaining to Smooth every step of the way, so I just shut up and watched the river. It was SO full and raging down the canyon, I would watch the river and imagine floating down it instead of pounding myself to the ground on the road. It helped, a little. Mile 21 Smooth's son joined her and since I wasn't doing her any favors at this point I just pushed on and left her in fresh hands, knowing that if I fell apart she was right behind me and I could wait for her and she and Eric would be there to drag me in. The best part of the last 5 miles was getting to see my favorite allie in her crossing guard uniform and flag making sure I didn't go off the road and cross the bridge over the river. Good thing, I was planning on it :) But, she got a big sweaty mile 21 hug! Like it or not, I was giving it to her - and had warned her before hand. It was totally her choice to be there and get it! I tried convincing myself I was out on my normal 4 mile loop with Sandra. Super easy miles, you got this - but my body wasn't buying it. I felt like I was doing more passing and keeping a decent pace, but I knew I was no where near MP and I just stopped looking at my watch. I had passed the 4:00 pacer and I knew I was under that and just pushed through to the end. The faster you run, the faster you finish - c'mon girl. Finished well and turned to look for Smooth, she was just a few minutes behind me and when I caught site of her Eric was with her - then I felt bad, I knew she had cramped up! STINK! After walking around the finishers area with Eric (good thing he was there - I was SO useless at this point, too much pain and soreness in the hip flexor) we headed off to the car to head home. Another wonderful ride and great company. I just honestly can't say enough about the wonderful woman Smooth is and the amazing family she has! I am truly indebted to them. I feel good (now) about this race and looking at my splits I didn't fade as much at the end that I thought I did. I guess the mind did overcome the body - the pep talk worked. I'm still not sure about UVM in 3 weeks - I honestly don't think I could've run this one step faster, my lack of training is showing like nobody's business and I think my time goal at UVM might just need to be re-evaluated. But, I will try not to think of that today...recovery and get back at it. AP: 9:02 (for the 26.34 I recorded) splits: 8:41, 8:58, 8:46, 8:43, 8:45, 9:13, 8:54, 9:07, 9:14, 8:52, 9:11, 9:29, 9:03, 9:33, 9:52, 9:27, 8:51, 9:05, 9:20, 8:57, 8:33, 9:07, 9:06, 8:59, 8:57 (last .34). Looking at my splits some of them are actually quite remarkable for me, especially knowing that they included a walk to GU and drink. I like that the last couple miles were just a bit progressive. Not intended, but pleased.
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