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!
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