Running on Empty

Top of Utah Marathon 2008

Recent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesRivertonPaul's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageWeek ViewMonth ViewYear View
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2006200720082009201020112012
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

Riverton,UT,

Member Since:

May 06, 2006

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:


PR Marathon

2:51:33 (St. George 2009)

3:01:00 (St. George 2008)

3:09:52 (St. George 2007)

3:24:48 (St. George 2006)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Improve training. Get serious, lose weight.

Improve speed.


Long-Term Running Goals:

Lifetime fitness, including running.

 

Personal:

Married with 4 kids. I live in Riverton and work as an attorney downtown in Salt Lake City.

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: Top of Utah Marathon 2008 (26.2 Miles) 03:13:07, Place overall: 52, Place in age division: 49
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

Top of Utah Marathon, 2008

Heading into this marathon, I decided to go for broke on going sub 3:00, knowing St. George still awaits in 2 weeks.

 Before the race, I was concerned with the steady downpour of rain throughout the night.  Fortunately, it wasn't a factor in the race.

The shuttle bus was later than I typically like in arriving and getting me to the bus loading area.  By the time I arrived, there was a hudge like back on the soaking grass just to board the buses.  Well, I didn't want to soak my shoes so I walked over to the staging hut.  The line was not improving, so I decided I'd better get in line.  Fortunately, however, as I was passing the first bus, the bus loading director called out asking for one single rider.  I greatfully oblidged, and loaded on the bus.   When that bus arrived to Hardware Ranch, it was already 6:30.   I immediately got in line for the bathroom, and around 6:45 exited the port-a-potty, with only 5 minutes until they had said the buses would be leaving with the drop bags.  I undressed (two sets of sweats, although it was much warmer than I expected), got ready for the race, and saw Andy who pleasantly chatted a bit with me. 

 The race started:

 1. 6:18
 2. 6:44  13:03
 3. 6:41  1945
 4. 6:35  26:20
 5. 6:49  33:10
 6. 6:43  39:53
 7. 6:56  46:49
 8. 6:38  53:28
 9. 6:40  1:00:09
 10. 6:43  1:06:53
 11.  7:04  1:13:57
 12. 6:42  1:20:40
 13. 6:39  1:27:19    Half 1:28:30
 14. 6:35  1:33:55
 15. 6:43  1:40:39
 16. 6:58  1:47:37
 17. 6:58  1:54:36
 18. 7:10  2:01:46

 19: 7:24  2:09:11

 20. 8:07  2:17:19   (had I been able to be somewhat close to 7:00 I would have been ecstatic.)
 21. 7:43  2:25:03  (pace keeps falling)
 22. 8:06  2:33:09
 23. 10:59 2:44:09   (yeah, I gave up here)
 24. 8:55  2:53:04
 25. 9:34  3:02:39
 26. 7:53  3:10:32
 26.2 (.33 on Garmin) 2:34 (7:55 pace)
 3:13:07


So, I blew up, and didn't hold pace to break 3:00.  Once I struggled with this and saw it slip away, I justified (rationalized) shutting down and saving it for 2 weeks.  In retrospect, I could have held on and had a better time (I just couldn't muster the determination to hang with Andy B and reap the benefits of the fastrunning blog run in group).

This was the first marathon I didn't wear a heart rate monitor.  I've become too dependent on them, using them as an excuse for not pushing things.  I enjoyed just running by feel, even though I bonked.  I just need more experience.

As a side note, it was pleasant running just behind Allie for the first half and seeing her drop the second place woman.  She never looked back!

Comments
From Jon on Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 22:53:15

Good job today, Paul. Mile 23 is a tough one- uphill and winding. But you did a nice job picking it up again towards the end. Good race.

From Huans32 on Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 23:25:48

Great Job Paul. You did well by my book. Best to save yourself for the big race in 2 weeks. Speedy recovery and good luck in 2 weeks.

From Teena on Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 23:50:50

Incredible race Paul. You must be in the toughest division by far!! (That's kind of a bummer.) You had some super fast miles. Can't wait to see how you do at SG. Congrats again!

From Andy on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 00:05:13

You would have never known if you didn't go for it. I had you in my sites for the first 19 miles and you looked really strong. With the high miles that you have been running, you should be able to recover well for SGM for another shot at sub-3.

From lisa on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 00:08:30

your splits are amazing!! It would be fun to watch you run.

From Mike Warren on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 00:16:08

I love the go for it spirit! Plus, like Jon said you brought it back down again at the end. STG will be your sub 3. Hope you recover well. Great job!

From Cal on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 10:34:21

Way to go Paul! I admire you for starting out aggressively and going for the sub-3. I think that its well within your ability to achieve it at St. George now.

From MichelleL on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 14:56:50

Dry run practice for St. G - just means you know what it feels like to run sub 3 through 2/3 of a marathon, and you saved enough that you can do it in St. G.

From Michelle N. on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 17:04:07

Great job Paul. SG is waiting and you'll do great.

From josse on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 18:58:04

Good effort, the day was just not right. I have an idea, all you guys that like to start out fast can use me at SG to have a conservative 1st half (1:32-1:33)then we can let it loose and blow by everyone that started to hard the 1st half. The key to racing well is learning what it feels like to run just under that threshold. I think you can do it if you start out alittle easier. Just a suggestion. I remeber it working well for Cal at Ogden.

From Paul T on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 20:41:50

Good job, Paul. I "went for it" at TOU in 2006 and my experience was similar to yours (only quite a bit slower). Of course, I "went for it" last year at SG and took 20 minutes off my PR. We'll never find out our limits if we don't push them. No risk. No reward.

I think Josse is probably including me in her "guys that like to start out fast" group. I do think Josse's "conservative 1st half" strategy for SG may have some merit. The difference is that she considers a first half in 1:32-1:33 as conservative. For me, that is more of a "go for it" pace, but if I'm not around 1:32 at the half I won't have any chance at sub-3:00. It's sure going to be fun seeing what unfolds in two weeks.

From Tom on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 20:55:19

Paul great job even with the blow up. You went for it and should have no regrets. Good idea to save some energy at the end and save it for SGM. We're going to have great group of sub-3 runners.

From RivertonPaul on Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 21:26:02

Thanks, all, for the comments. I read and re-read them taking the encouragement to heart. I'm still trying to figure out how to push just enough but not too hard. Guess that makes it interesting.

From cody on Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 11:27:51

Nice Job Paul. Pretty solid first 20. You will do great at SGM. Too bad we missed pulling you along. If only I had known....Probably still better than your PR performance at SGM last year. Another PR is very close...

Add Your Comment.
  • Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
  • Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
  • If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.
Only registered users with public blogs are allowed to post comments. Log in with your username and password or create an account and set up a blog.
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Recent Comments: