Noisy hotel neighbors kept waking me through the night.
Finally got up before the alarm at 3:55 am. At 4:30 am, Huans32 called
and said everyone's waiting for me in the lobby. Had Larry gave me a
quick blessing before heading down to meet up with
Huans32, Kathie, Maynard, Charlie and Kathie's friends. We
were in good spirit riding the bus up together. No cell service at the
staging area so couldn't connect with the other Forumites/FRBs but did see
Andy at the potty line! Kathie had an air mattress for us to sit on!
Huans32,
Kathie, Maynard and I lined up at the start towards the back of the 8mm
pace flag. Kathie kept me warm and cozy in her blanket as the temp was
cold which was a good sign. Didn't hear any gun or count down and we
were off. Huans32 and Kathie started out a bit faster and dropped us
within the first 0.25 mile. Maynard and I had a great time running
under a beautiful blue sunny sky. We soon joined Marcie Wood, a 27 y.o.
whom I met at DNews last year (that was her first marathon). Marcie
wanted to run 3:50ish. I knew Maynard wanted to run sub-4 at the least.
I had no particular goal other than to finish upright and "pretty" . A BQ (4:15) would be icing on the cake.
We were running in the high 8 mm paces which felt very comfortable. We
read signs along the way that told story of a girl, very sweet. We passed and visited with Mr. Purple
Swimming Suits. We thanked the guy providing a loud speaker blasting
"Here Comes the Sun!" The miles just flew by feeling awesome. We
crossed the half at 1:57:xx. PERFECT!!! Maynard took a pit-stop at the
half soon caught back up before mile 15.
After crossing the
dam, I passed a gal who was in my AG. We chatted a bit. In years past I
feared the downhill canyon miles. This year it helped to have Maynard
running alongside. I concentrated on proper form and the quads were
happy.
We were maintaining an easy controlled pace. I would have missed
Allie's sign if Maynard hadn't pointed it out to me: a full florescence
green poster with GO, SMOOTH GO! She was there (mile 20ish) cheering her heart out! That gave me such a boost! THANKS Allie!
After
the blazing downhill miles we entered the treacherous parkway trail. We
passed a ton of people, out of necessity, b/c if I slowed, charlie horse
would seize me. I always cramp up bad on this trail. The winding,
rolling and congested trail made it difficult to fend off charlie. I credited my survival on this trail to Maynard's presence.
Our pace wasn't too bad at 9:02, 9:07. Then trouble hit at mile 25 and
my breathing became labored while fighting off painful cramps my pace
slowed to 9:40.
When we got onto Grant Street. I feared that I would succumb to charlie
horse. I thought we were on pace for sub-4 until I saw the sign "1/2
mile to go". You've got to be kidding me!!! My Garmin registered 26.23 and my legs were done.
Maynard let me grab his arm. He held onto my left arm and soon another
fellow (in so much pain that I never learned his name) grabbed my right
arm. They literally drag me on a painful ugly jog to the finish. I'm
sure I was dead weight to these two heroes.
As soon as we crossed the finish, the medics loaded me onto a wheel
chair and whisked me to the med tent where Maynard stayed with me 'till
I asked him to go look for my hubby.
The convulsing painful charlie horse on both my lower legs lasted for about 10 min.
A nice Japanese sport medicine student, Tomoko, worked on my legs while
another girl, Brooke, brought me fluids. After hubby got in the med
tent, (he later commented that he knew the med-tent routine well
) I stood with his help and walked gingerly out. Saw JulieC, Canyon,
Mr. Canyon, Crockett, RivertonPaul, Lowell, Teena, Darrin, and others.
We cheered Rob Brough in his first marathon. I am so proud of all my
running friends. I feel so very very blessed to be associated with you.
You are truly the GREATEST and MOST compassionate people!
We
had to check out of the hotel by noon so I didn't get to clean up.
THANKS Kathie for picking up my drop bag and waited for me at the hotel
lobby. On the way out, we saw DonGardinero and his family in the hotel parking lot. THANKS for coming to cheer us.
My official time is 4:01:34, again thanks to Maynard!
According to my Garmin I ran 26.73 miles...not doing a good job at
tangents...didn't help w/having to stay on the right side of the road.
Average pace was 9:02. The slowest split was the last 0.73 mile @
10:25. The fastest split was mile 23 @ 6:16 which I'm sure is not
correct. Maynard commented at the time that we were running in the low
7's. Anyhow, that 6:16 looks good on the Garmin. So that's how Maynard
saved my 4th Ogden, 20th marathon. Now hoping to recover in time for UVM.
THANKS all for reading this long report!!!