Each Day Is a Gift

Sitting thru "A Chorus Line" which has no intermission really stiffened everything last night.  A bit chilly this morning, wore caprice, long sleeve, gloves and my favorite zip fleece which I shed half way.  GOSH!  I LOVE RUNNING!!!!  Had to force myself to stop at mile 3 and walked home.  9:27, 8:36, 8:06.  AP: 8:43.  Now if the running gods are with us, we should have a great race day on Sat.

Got to do laundry, clean house, shopping, pack.  My son is coming home tonight!  SO EXCITED!  The caboose won't be home alone.  We will head out tomorrow as soon as I get done orienting a new Primary presidency.  Did I mention I LOVE to run?

BEST of LUCK to everyone on Sat.  I hope to see some of you!  Travel safe!  HAVE a FANTASTIC WEEKEND!

All packed.  Just have to do an orientation in about 30 min.; then head down to Sunny St. George by noon.  I just checked the weather.  Accu Weather says Temp will be in the low 40's at Central in the morning and finishing Temp in SG will be in the high 70's.  A 10-20 mph S, SW wind in the afternoon.  Yeah Baby!   Perfect.  KSL has the temp a bit colder at Central and warmer in SG by about 10 degrees.  Oh Well, we'll take what we get.

HAVE A GREAT RACE and FANTASTIC WEEDKEND, EVERYONE!

I can't believe how a year has gone by so fast.  Driving down to SG brought back all the memories of past SGMs.  I wanted to run my best at this my 5th SGM.  I had trained hard with precision using the FIRST program.  But for some reason, mentally I just wasn't into this race.  May be it had something to do with my nature.  In all my previous races, I ran with/for someone or some meaningful purpose.  I hadn't discovered what it's like to run just for myself.  It sounds weird...but it seemed hollow to me... I can't explain it.

I was very excited to see many of my friends whom I have met through this blog and the ForumFlyers.   If nothing else, I was happy just to see them.  Did the Expo and went to Brick Oven's to have dinner with some of them.  We waited for over an hour.  By then I was very tired with a splitting headache, backache and NO appetite. 

MrsFIT, Huans32, Bemo, AlisaK, MarcE, Sweetiepie, Smooth and Teena

I was putting the chip on the shoe when my cell rang.  Wendy told me that Beth (my next door neighbor) got to the expo for no more than 10 min when her mother called and told her that her father has passed away unexpectedly in Idaho.  What a devastating news and an agonizing decision for Beth to turn around and drive home to be with her mother. 

I did not sleep a single wink thinking about Beth and her family.  At 3am I ate a yogurt and bagel, drank 24 oz gatorade and save the banana and water for the bus ride.  Finally at 4 I had hubby drive me to the bus.  Got to the Park at 4:15, stood & looked around, for FRBs or Flyers; saw none, so got on the bus and sat next to a college girl from Michigan.  It was fun chatting with her.  Gosh, she's young!

Got off the bus and headed to the PoP, plenty to choose from.  That PoP had only ONE roll of TP (NOT good...for the late comers!).  Hang out at the furthest firepits with the Flyer friends & family 'till about 45 min before start time.  The PoP lines were now very LONG!  I looked for Lowell who was supposed to be wearing Christmas light.  I really wanted to run with him.  It was so crowded I could not find him.  What a bummer!

Felt hungry so I ate one of the 3 gels (something I've never done in previous races) and ate 1/4 banana from the aid table; then made my way to the bag drop off truck still looking for Lowell.  I never found him; instead to my delight, I saw Kathie and Kimmy.  Thanks to Kathie's highness she spotted the 3:50 balloons where we lined up.  It was fun and cozy to share their big blankets before gun time.  Temp was perfectly cold, sky clear with full moon, a slight tailbreeze. 

First 1 -6 ~ Kathie was on task.  She had loaded Kimmy's Ipod and they put on one ear-bud, what a team, such great sisters.  She kept us informed of the pace we were supposed to run and check our splits.  We had to do a bit of maneuvering to get around other slower runners and still managed to stay together.  I heard someone hollered "Smooth".  It was Scott.  We exchanged hellos and I wished him well as he sped away.  My feet finally thawed out after two miles and I ditched my airline blanket.  Drank Gatorade at mile 3.  Somewhere after mile 4, Kelli passed by and we "visited" for a few seconds.  I gu'ed at mile 5, walked while drinking and got separated from Kathie and Kimmy.  Splits:  8:46, 8:32, 8:25, 8:18, 8:20, 8:33.  Time: 50:56 (Cougar's: 52:24,)

Mile 7 - 12 ~ Funny how you could be lonely even in a crowd when you "lost" your running partners.  Heading up Veyo...to my delight Shimelle found me and said:  "This is where we need friends."  We chatted, chanted and I mostly goofed off!  She really helped pull me up this hill.  We passed two older men and I wasn't sure if they could hear me say:  "We don't want to be geeserized!  You gentlemen looked awesome."  Then came the sun and I soon bid Michelle a good run as she took off into the horizon.  THANKS Michelle for helping me chug-a-choo-choo up the Veyo hill.  Gue'd at mile 9.  There was a "runnaway bride" dressed in white tank, skirt and a veil.  She was getting married next Fri.  Congrats.  I pretend she was my running partner.  I tried to stay focus and not fall off the pace for the next two rolling hills.  I kept runaway bride within strides.  Felt a hot spot in the ball of my left foot.  What to do?  At around mile 10.5 I felt an arm wrapping my shoulder.  To my joy and delight,  it was Teena.  I had not seen her all morning and was so surprised that she had crossed the start much later.  She looked fantastic.  Again I bid her good luck and watched her run away.  All these "goodbyes" are not good for my psyche.  Splits:  8:02, 9:56 (Veyo), 9:27, 9:29, 9:45, 9:25.  Time: 1:47:03 (Cougar's: 1:47:45)

Mile 13 - 18 ~  I stopped at mile 13 aid station to gu.  Took off my left shoe and sock and examined the hot spot.  It's about the size of a silver dollar and getting red hot.  I couldn't find any bandaid.  I slathered some Vasoline on; put the sock and shoe back on and retied the other shoe lace.  I tried to focus on good running form during the next 6 miles and not think about the pain with each left foot push off.   My Garmin beeped right at each mile marker, doing a pretty good tangent.  Gu'd again at mile 17.  First sign of cramps showed up at the hill after the overpass.  I thought all this diligent fueling /hydrating and watching my pace would fend off charlie...apparently not!  Splits:  10:02 (fixing the blister), 8:57, 8:17, 8:23, 8:55.  Time: 2:40:25 (Cougars: 2:39:01)

Mile 19 - 23 ~  Things started to fall apart during this stretch...the lonely winding stretch with no spectators after Snow Canyon.  I had a mental lapse here as the pain became bad.  I took a Gu when I saw a silver balloon thinking I was approaching mile 21 but was only at mile 20, no water to chase it down.  I was also annoyed by the aid station on the right side of the road when we were running on the left side doing the tangent.   Later, I saw a mist set up on the right side of the road, again wrong place for the tangent and I had no willpower to run over there.  In hindsight, it might have calmed the cramps.  On the last uphill around mile 22, I saw Kimmy.  I tried to get her to run with me.  I couldn't utter anything as I was fighting off cramps and the painful blister.  I felt bad that she was running sans Kathie.  I missed the Gatorade at mile 23, very crowded and the water cups were less than 1/2 full.  I dared not stop to get more for fear of a full blown charlie horse.  Splits:  9:32, 9:16, 8:31, 9:10, 9:08.  Time: 3:26:04 (Cougars: 3:21:59, there goes my hope of a 3:50!)

Mile 24 - finish ~ These miles were run with charlie horse chasing me.  I tried to high five some kids and when I missed I realized I was in bad shape.  Also hubby was not there on Bluff street where he normally was the last 4 SGMs.  Funny how that played on my psyche.  When the calf cramps came on bilaterally, I would walk or alter my strides to fend off the cramps.  Even my left toes started to cramp up.  I began to panic and mercifully they were passing out wash cloth.  I drizzled cool water on my head, my chest and neck.  I felt its calming coolness and for the first time realized I had not poured water on myself and that it was getting hot.  That last mile was sheer agony.  I dug deep and gave all that I had, stomping out the cramps and prayed that I would not collapse.  Hoping badly to see the finish balloons after the last turn, anything to push me through.  I did not look at my watch not wanting to see how slow I was.  I listened for my name from the spectators, heard it twice.  I desperately needed to hear my hubby's voice.  Finally I heard him just as I looked up to see the clock turned 4:01:00.  Thank God I did not collapse.  KellieS was there cheerfully greeting/watching me in the corral while I walked in circle around the mister over and over.  Every muscle in my legs were spasming.  I finally lined up to get my medal, kept walking until the cramps subsided.  I found a shady corner to stretch.   For a brief moment I seriously entertained the thought of never running another marathon again.  Splits:  8:40, 9:44, 10:46, last 0.26 in 2:26 (9:44)  Time: 3:57:41. 

Wow!  This is getting TOO LONG!  I'm going to bed!

Thoughts:

1)  This is my second best marathon time.  I should be happy with this. 

2)   I still don't know what causes cramps.  I have tried everything except using drugs. 

3)   Why can't I find satisfaction in running for myself?  It seems so selfish to want to PR.  Am I weird? 

Drove home after a nice breakfast with Scott and Judy.  Listened to Conference in the car.  Legs were stiff and sore when getting in and out of car and walking to the bathroom and Cove Fort.

Got home just as afternoon conference session started.  Jeff's home.  Sissy called so didn't get to listen to much of conference.

Walked with Wendy around the two blocks.  Legs would not co-operate at times.  Walking very slowly, hard time negotiating the stairs.

Spend the afternoon at Beth's canning beats and turnips and talking with her about her family and dad.

Ate dinner at Chuck-A-Rama for FHE.  That means I ate WAY TOO MUCH!

Disable the blog...needed a break!

Walked 2 miles with Wendy.  Stopped a lot to talk to passing friends who wanted to know how the marathon went.  

Got news early this morning from Gary about Alex.  We will keep him in our prayers.

Walked 3 miles again with Wendy, Diane and Diana.  Soreness fading.

Alex has an agressive form of lymphoma.  He will need treatments in the US.  Gary and Lily will fly with him to Utah on Sunday.  I feel so bad for him.  He's a young active healthy 17 year old, captain of his XC team, runs 30-40 miles a week.  I know he will overcome this.  Just terribly unfair to have his world comes crashing down on him.  He and his family will be in our prayers.

Walked with Wendy, Diane and Diana again.  Ran a little to test the legs.  The soreness is almost completely gone.

Went to the temple.  Sitting made everything stiffens up again.  

Still planning on doing PonyExpress....may be 54K to celebrate my 54th birthday!

Ran to Smith light and back.  3.1 mile in 34 min.  Took it slow and easy.  Legs were tight and slight sore the first mile.  Then loosened up by mile 2.  Will run 5 tomorrow with Carolyn.  Hope I can run the Pony Express next Fri.  Sent out emails to Wendy, Mary and Beth.

Thoughts turned to Alex coming this Sunday.  I went to the temple yesterday and saw Pres. Ellsworth.  Talked to him a bit about Alex's diagnosis.  He said if Alex goes to Huntsman for treatment, he will see Grant there.  Will fast for him this Sunday.

Ran with Wendy, Carolyn and Mary to Smith's light, Bull River, Perry Homes and back.  AP:  10:16.  10:29, 9:58, 10:19, 10:34, 9:59, 10:26.  Legs felt tightness on mile 4 going up to Sinclair.  Good stretches afterwards.

Print out map and course description of the Pony Express.  Hope Beth's father's funeral going well.

Left Sacrament early to meet a couple from China, Bing and Sheri Du, very nice people from Beijing.  Moved to Utah about 9 months ago.  She offered us cut fruits, Chinese dried fruit snack and tea.  We declined the tea; but did take one piece of the cantaloupe she grew.  Even though we were still fasting (for Alex), we didn't want to offend.  At the end of our visit we gave her a Triple Combination in simplified Chinese.  I bore my testimony  of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and had Sheri read aloud in Mandarin Moroni 10:4-5.  I shared briefly my conversion story of how I attended many churches and found for myself through prayer the truthfulness of the Church and the Book of Mormon.  

Then we went to the airport to pick up Gary, Lily and Alex.  We went to Grandma's at 6 pm for dinner; then at 8 pm the men (Gary, Dwight, Larry, Aaron, Isaac, Jeff, David and Gary's friends) gave Alex a blessing.  Gary did the anointing and Larry sealed the anointing with a beautiful blessing.  We felt at peace that Alex is going to be cured of this cancer, Lympboblastic Lymphoma.  It will be a difficult journey of treatments for him.  We continue to pray for him that he will be strong and his family will be blessed.

We got home at 10pm. 

Ran with Wendy and Mary to 1200E, Bull River, 600E.  Very easy conversation pace.  4 miles in 39:41.  AP: 9:55.  Splits: 10:23, 9:45, 9:43, 9:48.

Alex will be seen by an oncologist at Primary Children's Hospital today at 10:30am.  Hope the doctor has good answers for them.   It will be an uncertain two years of ups and downs.

 Called Beth to see if she's still planning on Pony Express run.

Rained last night.  Slight breeze, cool temp.  Have been wearing CWX tights and long sleeve shirt.  Lead legs this morning, slow 3.25 miles with Wendy and Carolyn. 

Strategized with Wendy, my crew about Pony Express.  I think I'll run/walk at a 5mph (12mm) pace including stops at the car for the first 20 miles.  Then if the legs/feet are good to keep going for 13.55 miles making it a 54K.  Can I run/walk for 6.7 hours?  Beth will finish her memorial marathon in 4.5 hours way ahead and hopefully one of her kids will drive out to take her home.  Wendy will do her best to crew us.  We'll see if Lowell can swing it.  It will be awful early for him to drive down to run with us.

Alex will be admitted to Primary's Children tomorrow to begin the induction phase of his Chemo therapy.  We continue to pray for him and his family.  He's a runner.  He will be tough to win this "race".

No running or exercise today.  Had meetings all morning. 

Alex admitted to Primary Children's for the Induction phase of his chemo therapy.  Praying hard that all procedures go well.

Took Steven to the PT before his  last home game.  He played his heart out, sick with coughing fits and an injured right shoulder. 

No running or exercise.  Lots of errands to run.  Went to visit Alex in the hospital.  He is doing fine at the moment.  

Took grandma home after visiting all afternoon at Primary Children's.  Got  home at 7pm when Teena came to give me a b'day present.  We went to Jon & Kelly A's reception.

Two SSFs :) :)

Jon and Kelly A.  SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE, a match made in heaven!

This is NOT a race; but a "memorial marathon" for Beth, my neighbor and friend whose father passed away the night before SGM and she didn't get to run it.  It's also a "birthday run" to celebrate my 54th b'day.  Oct 16 is my legal birthday and just so happen Crockett has organized a 50/100 mile run/race on the Pony Express Route in the wild west desert.

We loaded up our crew wagon and left my house at 6:40 am.  Got to the start at Lookout Pass at 7:50 am.  Temp was in the high 30's, cool crisp sky.  There were about a dozen 100 milers and 1/2 dozen 50 milers.  Leslie has already started at 6am.  Saw jun and Twinkies.  I ran with them the first mile or so while Beth took off with Crockett in the lead pack.  It was nice to chat with jun and Riboldi. 

Smooth, Beth and Wendy just before the count down at 8am.  Jun's in red with white cap and Twinkies in yellow in the background.

Ditched the jacket and gloves after the first stop at mile 5, the dirtygirl gaitors kept the rocks out of my running shoes.  Listening to the Oct Conference talks (which were over 7 hours long that my son downloaded on hubby's iPod for me) helped the miles pass. 

Beth's triumphant finish of her "marathon in memory of her dad" in 5:26:20

Beth's tears of joy upon receiving her medal.  The footprint on the SGM'09 medal is appropriate since we followed the 50/100 milers' footprints along the Pony Express trail.

Beth, Smooth & Wendy in front of the crew wagon after Beth's finish.  Wendy's son, Eric, drove when Wendy ran with Beth the last 5Ks.  The poster says:  Happy Birthday Smooth!

We ran "where the antelopes play".   At  Simpson Spring I changed my socks for the third time and doctored my blister for the 2nd time.  I ate and hydrated well every 2 miles.

Wendy ran me in to the finish of the last 0.1 mile of my 54K.  I expected to finish under 7 hours so I was very pleased with my time of 6:59:16, not bad for having run a 3:57 at SGM 13 days ago, had never trained on trails, stopped numerous times to run with Beth and the celebration at 26.2. 

At the "finish" of my 54K (33.55 miles) around Dugway Topaz Well was a silo and this sign.  Can't fathom that this is only a third of the 100 miles the others would be running.  I was glad to be done just before 3pm when the temp was about 60. 

Me and my best friend, Wendy and her son, Eric, what an AWESOME crew!

I had a FANTASTICALLY WONDERFUL birthday doing what I love with my favoritest people.   Thought about Alex alot during the run.  We drove back on the trail and was amazed at HOW FAR we had run.  We stopped at Simpson Spring to be tourists.  There were other tourists at that Pony Station.  They had seen us and other runners along the trail and asked what we were doing and WHY?  During the drive home Beth talked about her "frontier man dad" and his "perfect" funeral.  We got home at 6:45 pm what a fun 12 hours adventure. 

I consumed 5 bottles of water, 3 bottles of Gatorade,  1 can of Slimfast, 1 peanut butter sandwitch, 3 oranges, 3 bagels, 5 gels, 1 electrolyte cap and 3 electrolyte Enlytn strips on the course.  For breakfast I had a banana, yogurt, EmergenC, water.  Post run food was 1 Cup of Ramen noodles, 1 banana, chocolate milk, water, chex mix, Tropical trail mix and beef jerky.  We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner where I had an 8 oz sirloin steak, sweet potatoe, steamed vegetables and 5 dinner rolls washed down with 2 tall glasses of diet coke. 

The legs are feeling pretty good, might loose couple of toe nails.  Went for a walk with hubby the next morning. 

The feet and toes are so sore I couldn't put on dress shoes.  Thankgoodness the weather is warm.  So I put on a pair of pretty sandals that are "flip-flop" style, brown matching my skirts and blouse and quite nice for Fall.   Attended one ward conference.  Hubby BBQ some chicken breasts for dinner.  Was so nice to see Emi laughing and smiling on webcam.  Can't wait to see her and Marianne next month.

Ran with Mary, Wendy and Carolyn at very easy pace.  The hardest part was putting the shoes on.  The pinky toes are red.  The big toes are purple.   Gorgeous Fall weather.  

Have Olga, Beth and Wendy over for lunch and watch "Miss Potter".  Olga hasn't been to a movie for a long long long time.  With two very active children, she needed a break.  I think she's having some labor pain while here.  Hopefully she'll have the baby tonight or tomorrow.

Went to babysit little Devin whose mommy went to the hospital to have the baby.  Little Emily Earle was born at 5:37 weighing 6 lb 8 oz.    Does playing with a toddler count as exercise?

Had presidency meeting in the morning.  Was going to run before the meeting but was on the phone.  

Went to see Olga and baby Emily at the hospital in the afternoon.  Then to Costco afterwards.  No exercise today.  May be some core tonight.  Definitely going to run tomorrow morning.  

Only had time for 5.26 miles w/ Wendy.  Babysat Kesley & Devin while their daddy went to bring mommy and the new baby home.  Was fun playing with the kids all morning.  

Got to make a few phone calls then to the grocery store then make dinner for them.  Hope I can make it to visit another non-member family this evening.  Hope Lowell and Alex and Aimee are okay.  Love this beautiful Fall weather! 

First run by myself since SGM.  Bad news!  Everything was fine until mile 5 when I felt a sharp pain in the pelvic area.  Then the hip flexors started to tighten up.  The pain eased up when I picked up the pace but I was too tired to keep the pace.  Walked the last 0.5 mile home.   How am I going to run the Hoover Dam Marathon in 8 days???!!!

7 miles in 1:08:10.  Splits: 10:05, 9:12, 9:00, 9:19, 9:49, 10:12, 10:29

I'm going to do some yoga and stretch.  I haven't been keeping up with the core either.  How do I find time for all that?  Sigh!!!

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

Guess what came in my mail!!!!  A St. George Marathon 2009 medal!!!  Sent by SG Leisure Service with no note attached!  That is the sweetest, most thoughtful thing!!!!  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your kind deed!!!  It brought such joy!  I told Beth about it and we both hugged and cried all over again!  I am so touched by your love and kindness!!!  Runners are the BEST!!!!

Ran with John & Wendy at easy pace.  AP: 9:57

Watched the Utes vs Air Force at Rice Eccles Stadium, a nail biting overtime win!  Then rushed home to watch the BYU vs TCU game...sad to see the Cougs got killed!

Hey, I figured out who done it!!!  An awesome friend from Texas!!!  THANKS Marc!  I LOVE the surprise b'day present!  It was so very thoughtful of you!

Only had time to run a short easy one with Wendy and Carolyn in order to make the mammography appointment.  

Temp was in the mid 30's.  Wore CWX tights, l/s, jacket, gloves.  Splits:  10:09, 9:34, 9:21, 9:13  AP: 9:40 

1.5 miles warm up @ 10:00

4 x 800 @ 8:00 with RI 400 @ 9:13

1.5 miles warm down @ 9:13

TT: 55:00.  AP: 9:09

TM #10 various speed and incline.

Took Alex to his week 3 Phase I of chemo induction at the oncology clinic at PCMC. 

Went shopping with Lily in the late afternoon.

Leaving for NV b/w 8 - 9 tomorrow morning.

This was a great little weekend get-away for hubby and me with a fun marathon thrown in.  The rate for two nights in the host hotel was cheaper than the race entry fee.   The Fri. night's king crab buffet was only $16.  I broke all pre-race cardinal rules and ate a ton of king crabs and stayed up late to watch a movie.  It didn't help that my legs and feet were very very tired and sore. 

At the restaurant, I met lots of runners from all over the country including an Asian lady eating spaghetti (the sensible pre-race meal), Lora Tang (age 43, a single mother of 5 from Riverside, CA).  She has run 24 marathons and Hoover Dam was to be her 9th this year.   Lora met us at 6am for a ride down to the start (3 miles from the hotel at Boulder Beach).  

After following some cars that went to the wrong water front,  we finally got to the right beach with 30 min to spare.  Did the pop thing; then put on my costume (couldn't find a bumble bee one; but this lady bug toddler size costume worked fine).  I was the only runner with wings.   One volunteer at a road crossing asked if the wind drag from the wings slow me down.  I said, "Nah but my wings are getting really tired though!" :)

There were a few fun costume clad runners.  The race director, Joyce, dressed in a checkered-race-car-pit-crew outfit, gave us some last min. instructions and with a "ladies and gentlemen, start your engine>>>" we were off, right on time at 7am.  Starting temp was in the low 50's.   

Here's a description of the course from the race web-site (in blue) and my comments:

This course is just stunning in more ways than one! You'll start your race at Lake Mead's Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach at the BBQ area. The first 1/4 mile is a steady gradual uphill along a wide roadway, giving plenty of room for runners to find their position among the field before making a left hand turn onto the paved River Mountains Loop Trail.  Lora, Carol, Ernie, Ms. "celtic", Ms. bunny (new lady friends I met) and I started out together.

This section of the River Mountains Loop Trail is impeccably paved and about 12' wide, running parallel to Lakeshore Drive. The course is undulating thru the spectacular Mojave Desert and joins up with the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail just before your mile 3.   The "undulating gradual uphill" has a 500' elevation gain.  Lora and Ms. bunny slowly pulled away with the fast guys. 

This section of trail is breathtaking! You'll traverse a hard packed dirt trail leading you thru several old railroad tunnels that were used in the 1930s to transport supplies to the workers in the construction of the then Boulder Dam- now Hoover Dam. The trail is perched atop of a ridge overlooking the crystal blue waters of Lake Mead and the marina.   Hubby had my camera so I stopped and took several pictures of the lake and the 6 tunnels with my cell phone.  This was my favorite portion of the course, still shady with the mountain on my right and the blue lake to my left.  Running thru these tunnels was way COOL.  My Garmin lost signals a couple of times.  I ran and chatted with Ben from Chicago who has paced the 3:50 and 4:00 groups in the Chicago Marathon the last two years.  Also met a Boston'08 fella and we ran together till we reached the power plant. 

After passing thru the last tunnel, your next mile is thru an area which is home to power plants- Hoover Dam is the main producer of electricity for Nevada, Arizona, and California.  At the power plant mile we started to see the leaders running back.  Lora was still in the lead pack.  It was fun cheering all the fast runners. 

This is just a prelude to the "Money Shot"!  You'll zig zag your way down 6 switch backs (see the "Course Safety" tab!) delivering you onto the upper level parking garage at Hoover Dam.  I stopped at the aid station to take a gel by the gate before entering the "no passing zone".  That was a mistake to stop because the slower runners passed me and entered the "no passing zone".  As listed under "Course Safety",  absolutely NO PASSING or wearing of ear buds was allowed.  The switch backs were 4' wide, only enough room for one runner going down and one runner going back up.  Course marshalls were there to monitor us.  Anyone violating the "course safety rules" would be disqualified.  Well, Ms bats and her guy friend were blocking traffic.  Oblivious to the rules, she asked if I wanted to pass her...DUH!

The 6 switch backs deliver you onto the upper level parking garage at Hoover Dam. Running a counterclockwise loop you'll jump up onto the curb, running along the edge for a killer sweet view of the awe inspiring Hoover Dam. No need to break stride- you get a great view as you run along the course. The only reason to look away is to smile pretty at the photographer to capture this moment on film.   We had to wear our bib on the left side showing the photographer our number, very cheesy.  I passed the slower runners on the garage before heading back up the "no passing switch backs".  Back to the aid station by the gate, I again stopped to grab some oranges and carry another gel and use the PoP.   I wasted too much time there.

With the Dam now behind you, you'll retrace your steps back up the switch backs, thru the tunnels overlooking Lake Mead, then back on the paved trail. Arriving back at Boulder Beach access road you'll all continue straight continuing along the paved River Mountains Loop Trail.  We saw the half marathoners (who started at 8am) on the return at the tunnels portion of the trail running towards us.  I heard one fast girl called out "Smooth".  Pretty sure it was Kelsey, a FAST blogger.  She was the FIRST woman in the half.  I hope she went on to win it.

Half Marathoners will continue to their turn around roughly only 0.6 of a mile ahead, and marathoners will turn around less than 7 miles ahead.   At around mile 12.75, I heard a fast guy coming up behind me.  I asked if he was a half marathoner and told him he had missed the sign that indicated he was supposed to run around back there.  He was not very happy to hear that.  I hope he didn't end up loosing his position.

This section of the course is beautiful as well, covering rolling hills that treat you to Mojave Desert splendor at its finest.   It's a good thing the scenery on the second half was beautiful because the hills kept coming.  From mile 12 on I was following one lone guy.  I soon passed him at mile 13.5 and the next runner was almost a mile in the distance.  It was fun to cheer on the winner around mile 17 coming the opposite lane.  He was WAY ahead of the second guy. 

The sun was beating down on us from the clear blue sky above.  It wasn't too hot as we had a steady headwind disguised as a nice breeze.  I stopped at every aid station to eat, drink, douse myself with cup of water and thank the volunteers profusely.  They don't call it "River Mountains Loop Trail" for nothing because it was very "mountainous" and "loopy".  Good thing there were only a handful of cyclists or it would be very tricky to run the tangent. 

The turn around was just before mile 19.  The volunteers took down your race number and offered you a buffet of goodies.  I ate, rubbed anelgesic cream on the legs so I could take the downhills on the return and had a VPB behind a bush (a first for me in the 18 marathons I've run).   The fun part of running a course with a turn around is you can count how many runners are ahead.  Lora was in 5th place among women, I announced that to her as I cheered and side-fivied her.  I found myself in 12th among women. 

Between mile 20 and 21, I re-passed a handful of men who had passed me while I took a VPB break.  No one was ahead of me until the last 1.5 miles where I passed 2 women and 4 men. 

The finish line is back at Boulder Beach at the covered BBQ area where the awards and finish line food await!  I crossed the finish line with hubby and Lora cheering.  According to everyone's Garmin, the course was long (mine was 26.52, Lora's was 26.48, another guy's was 26.76).   I'm glad I ran this inaugural Hoover Dam Marathon.  It's a beautiful and challenging course.  Lora finished in 3:55 (5 min. shy of a BQ) and 3rd women overall.  I was very proud of her.

Lora and me holding my AG prize.  

After the race, hubby and I toured the Hoover Dam.  This is at the Colorado River side of the Dam.