Rosswog Running Blog

The objective of today’s run was to run over the 45th South and 7th East then complete miles 17.7-23.3 of the Salt Lake Marathon course before running back to home (i.e., to Liberty Park and back).  I made sure to keep the pace slow and easy in order to enjoy the beautiful weather on this Easter Sunday because I know that on this Saturday these miles will be anything but easy or enjoyable.  However, depending how I am feeling, these miles still might be slow.  Anyways, the total distance of this run was 13.2 miles.

In addition to my running workout, I was able to sneak in 200 sit-up and 20 push-ups.

I started tapering off in preparation for the Salt Lake Marathon on Saturday. Today I ran a total of 6.1 miles on my work’s treadmill. I broke this run up by doing 1.3 miles at an easy pace, followed by 2.7 miles at marathon pace, then concluded with 2.1 miles at an easy pace in my Vibram Five Fingers.

For my non-running workout, I completed 200 sit-ups, 20 push-ups, 20 butterflies (50 lbs), 100 curls (16 lbs), and 20 (60, 50 lbs) reverse curls.

Today was day two of tapering for the big race on Saturday.  I accomplished a total of 5.1 miles on the treadmill and divided this mileage up by doing a 1.2-mile warm-up at an easy pace followed by 2.1 miles by at marathon pace and 1.8 miles at an easy pace in my Nike Frees.

In regards to my non-running workout, I did 200 sit-ups, 20 push-ups, 20 butterflies (50 lbs), 40 curls (30 lbs), and 20 (60, 50 lbs) reverse curls.

It was day three of tapering for the big race.  I accomplished 4.2 miles and since my back was a little bit tight this morning, I did my entire run at an easy pace.  Also, I split my running up between the treadmill and outside by accomplishing 2.9 miles in the gym and an addition 1.3-mile run over to Big Cottonwood Park where I completed a single lap around the softball complex before heading back home.

I also took it easy with my non-running workout by limiting it to 200 sit-ups, 20 curls (30 lbs), and 10 (50 lbs) reverse curls.

Being day four of my tapering for Saturday’s race, I decided to ditch the treadmill and do my entire running workout outside.  Following work, before starting my run, I immediately went to the marathon expo to pickup my race packet.  One of the many things I love about running is the packet pickup because it is a great opportunity to: (1) meet other runners that have been training for the same race, (2) learn about other races, (3) check out all the new gear, and (4) get bunch of other freebees.  When I got home, I went for a 4.2-mile run at an easy pace to Big Cottonwood Park, over to Murray Holladay road, and up to the vacant lot that use to house the Cottonwood Mall before heading back.

My non-running workout consisted of 200 sit-ups, 30 curls (30 lbs), and 10 (50 lbs) reverse curls.

Today was marathon eve; consequently, my fifth--and final--day of tapering.  In order to get well rested for the race, I scheduled a vacation day from work.  It was a good thing, because during the entire day I had an upset stomach; however, I was eventually able to settle it through rest-and-relaxation and by taking doses of medicine.  For my running workout, I ran to the Big Cottonwood Park, over to 45th South, up to 15th East, and then over to Millcreek Elementary before heading back home.  In addition, I jogged a half a mile home from the grocery store.  The total distance of my two runs was 4.1 miles at an easy pace.

Due to my stomach sickness and because it was the day before the race, I limited my non-running workout to just 200 sit-ups and 3 metronomes.

With the early wakeup, the nerves, and the rush to get everything together, Marathon Morning never gets old.  You have to love it!

I rolled out of bed at 4:30 am in order to make final preparations for the race.  After an hour-and-a-half of getting prepared (i.e., stretching out, completing 200 sit-ups, making sure I had all my GU gels, confirming the timing chip was firmly tied to my shoe, and preparing my drop-off sack) I left for the University of Utah.  It took just over 40 minutes to get to the starting line at the Olympic Legacy Bridge, also known as the “World's Greatest Starting Line.”  Since I usually get pretty nervous before races (and this race was no exception), I never like to arrive too early because it tends to psych me out.

At 7:00 am the cannon shot off from historic Fort Douglas and the 6th Annual Salt Lake Marathon was on!  The range on my minutes per mile was 6:00-7:13; that is, the 4th and 25th miles, respectively.  In past races, I have had 2-3 minute ranges, so this 1:13 range is excellent and reflects the solid pace that I was trying to maintain throughout the course.

My slowest miles were the 1st and the 25th.  Since I commenced about fifty or so runners back from the starting line (i.e., I actually crossed the starting line 36 seconds after the boom from the cannon), it took me 6:56 to run the first mile as I worked my way through the crowd.  This conservative start was a little bit unorthodox for me since I am usually a fast starter (e.g., my last four marathons--especially Boston).  However, I think this slower-than-normal start worked to my advantage near the end of the race.  I don’t know if my legs were actually fresher, but after mile 20 (i.e., when my legs started feeling a little bit heavy), I kept reminding myself that I started slow so I must still have a lot in the tank.  As a result, the slower start was a bigger boost mentally than physically.

In regards to my slowest mile, it was the 25th, which I ran in a time of 7:13.  I expected this mile to be the most challenging because it is near the end of the race and it entails a gradual uphill climb north on State Street to South Temple.  For the most part, this mile was new to this year’s race and I had never practiced running it on any of my training runs.  From my experience and from hearing other runners speak gloomy about this uphill climb, if they keep this straight-stretch climb as part of the course, it definitely merits an infamous nickname; for example, maybe something like Predatory Hill to go along with the Golden Eagle Archway overlooking the State-Street-South-Temple intersection.

Overall, I was fortunate enough to set a personal record with a time of 2:51:46 (i.e., a per-mile-pace of 6:33).  More importantly, I had a lot of fun on this absolutely beautiful day and I'm so happy for everyone that participated and I'm extremely grateful for all the spectators that cheered so hard for family, friends, and complete strangers.  It was truly a great day for Salt Lake City!