Each Day Is a Gift

48F cloudy, perfect weather.  Today would've been SLC Marathon if not for Covid-19. Had a yogurt, carried 2 Gu and 1 pack of Chews (that has peanut butter in the center). Head west to access MCT from Center St. then east on MTC to 800 N Orem, turn right (west) to 800E and back to 1100 E and waited for Larry to pick me up.

Took it easy today since I ran yesterday.  Stopped at all the restrooms for drink, the drinking fountains by bathrooms are all turned on so I didn't need to go inside.  Saw a guy running down Mitch Hollow Park with two bikers and a child biker following him.  Then realized he was turning toward his finish line which was held up by family members greeting him with balloons and cheers.  I ran past on the grass and congratulated him on his finish asking "Salt Lake City Marathon?" as he had a SLC race shirt on.  "What was your time?" "3:20" "Wow!!! Way to go! U Da Man!" 

At Lone Peak rest stop, saw two ladies with SLC Running shirts on and I asked if they were doing their virtual race while I ate a Gu.  They said nope they had run 14 miles and could've done the SLC Half virtual.  They wished me luck as I continued on my long run.

At Canyon Rd rest stop, I ate one chews and drank.  Visited with a lady who had Boston 2019 shirt on.  Visited with a lady whom I've been leepfroging.  She had a tiny black poodle type dog running/walking with her.  I commented that her dog with little legs sure could run fast.  She tried to feed the dog some water unsuccessfully and was worried that she might've worn it out.  She said she's 5 miles from home on her 11 miler. 

Ate the second Gu at the Lindon rest stop (with 4 more miles to go).  None of the trailside drinking fountains were turned on...should've brought a flask to fill up.  Anyhow, drank as much as possible.  At around mile 16+  I ran past a fellow whome I've passed couple times, the first time being on Alpine Hwy and he was talking on the phone and heard him say something like sorry... can I push it to 3pm.  Anyhow when I passed him I asked, "how many miles today?"  "26.2"  "Yay, congrats!"  "Thanks, but I'm only at 24."  "You're almost done! Way to finish a marathon!"  "You too, I've seen you a few times.  You just keep running and running!"  I was too tired to reply as I left him realizing I have about 1.5 more to go.  Garmin read 17.22 at the end of MCT on 800N, so I turned right to go west towards the 800E light where I turned right (north) for another 0.1 mile then turned back around and ran up east on 800N.  Got back to trail head exactly 18 miles and didn't see Larry's car.  I took a picture of my watch and texted Lowell with a message of my 18 lonely miles and missed him terribly.  Then called Larry who was only couple minutes away.  The trail was super crowded today with bazillion bikers, runners, dogwalkers.  It was awesome to see two guys running their virtual SLC Marathon.  I could've done the same if I had prepared better with hydration and not run yesterday.  I think I will do a virtual Utah Valley Marathon if it was cancelled and they offered that option.  I feel like I have missed out on two marathons, the Sand Hollow in March and SLC in April.  

TT: 3:38:55  AP: 12:10  Splits: 12:17, 11:45, 11:10, 12:30, 12:08, 12:38, 12:06, 12:20, 11:54, 11:57, 11:45, 11:44, 12:09, 12:24, 12:41, 12:28, 12:37, 12:21