Woke up at 4. Took a shower. Ate breakfast of banana, yogurt, granola bar and EmergenC. Went down to the lobby where I grabbed another banana and drank a glass of orange juice. It was a bit breezy and chilly out the hotel. Waited for Lowell to pick me up at 5:20. We got on the very last bus which left precisely at 5:30. It was the shortest bus ride ever. At the start we were greeted by Marci, Sam, TJ and his family, Bill Mandler, Teota, Angie, Bret, Kristen, Lance Clark and another girl whose name I forgot. The atmosphere was relaxing and fun!!! I love this smallish and very well organized race! :) :) :)
Marci and I barely had enough time to make one pop trip (the line was long and slow). As the National Anthem was sung, we shed our jackets and handed our duffle bags (nice race schwag) to the UPS volunteers and walked 20 steps to the start. Our group of 8-10 happened to position ourselves between the 4:15 and 4:30 pace groups.
The race started on time. The rain last night made it humid, temp in the mid 50s. The full moon was setting as the sun peeked over the eastern sky. I started out running and chatting with TJ, Troy and Jill. We soon caught up to Lowell, Marci, Sam, Teota and Angie. I somehow lost track of TJ and company and ended up running with Marci and Lowell with the 4:15 group close by exchanging jokes. Lowell was doing the run 2 miles walk 1 min plan. He took off running after the first aid station. I looked at my Garmin and saw that he was running in the low 8s so I let him go. Marci and I decided to be patient on these fast downhill miles to save our legs for the rollers on the second half. Mile 1-5 splits (heart rate) ~ 9:35 (129), 9:42 (143), 9:56 (145), 9:39 (150), 9:34 (148)
My strides were rather clunky the first few miles. Felt a twinge on my left hip flexor and knew it'd be a long haul. At the 2nd aid station (mile 5.3), both Marci and I had to make a pit stop. The "little Ireland" that Lowell dubbed is not as green as in years past. The grass is now a golden brown and the leaves already changing colors. We saw some low lying clouds in the distant. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful cascade mountains scenery and loved the friendly helpful volunteers. At around mile 6.5 we turned left onto the only uphill portion of the first half. Did some jump shots for the photographer. :) The uphill ended at around mile 7 where we made a 180-U-turn to head back down. It was so fun to high five Lowell and his "current" running partner, Marissa, as they were running down. Then we got to high five TJ on their way up. :)
Gu'd at the mile 8 aid station and took another pop stop. We caught up to Sam and lost sight of Lowell. TJ's wife, Marsha and their family were there cheering us at the church after the first left turn into Inkom. Took second gu at mile 12 since they were handing them out. We had to make another pit stop at the mile 12 aid station (too much yummy fruits and salad last night). As we approached the half where hubby was cheering, I looked at my Garmin and saw the time 2:11:5x, so probably 2:12 - 2:13 at the half. I tossed my gloves while Marci took off her arm warmers to give to hubby. Mile 6-13 ~ 10:51 pop (145), 9:43 (152), 9:55 uphill (155), 10:39 pop (147), 10:28 (147), 9:40 (150), 9:20 (153), 9:20 ( 153), 11:17 pop (157)
At the half Smooth, Marci taking off her arm warmers.  We lost Sam at the half where he went to the pop. I was so grateful for Marci's company as we found ourselves pretty strung out from the rest of the pack. As soon as we made the right turn onto Old Hwy 91, a train chugged alongside us. It was so fun to have the train whistle and chug-a-chug-chug next to us. The course flattened and the sun came out. My tummy was so bloated that all I could think of was "get to the next aid station and pop". Marci was having the same issue too and she didn't even have dinner at TJ's! :) We started to pass some half-marathoners and encouraged them along. We got a nice little tail wind once in awhile to cool us from the warming sun. My leg started to get tight and sore so I took two ibuprofen around 18 while Marci made yet another pit stop. I ran slowly ahead and she finally caught up to me on the uphill roller. We enjoyed reading some fun chalk messages encouraging cyclists on the rollers. Mile 14-19 ~ 9:16 (164), 10:11 (160), 10:21 (164), 10:16 (165), 9:40 (166), 9:49 (160)
I told Marci I would walk the uphill under the freeway overpass to mile 21. But I was running about mid hill when she asked: "I thought you said you would walk this." So with a "O yeah" we walked about 45 seconds and resumed jogging to the top. :) My shins started to cramp when the course flattened around mile 22. I totally missed Marsha by the HS until I heard her call out: "No Hi Marsha?". I spotted Lowell about half mile ahead. We knew we could catch him but I didn't want to speed up for fear that charlie-horse would seize my legs. The boys at the aid station drenched us good! :) We sneaked up on Lowell pinching him just as he was exiting the aid station! We had a good laugh and kept on running with Lowell's voice trailing behind telling the guy next to him, "That evil woman was rescued from...." Mile 20-23 ~ 10:41 uphill (162), 9:57 (170), 10:49 gu'd, shins cramp wishing there were some salt tabs (169), 10:07 (168)
After that little fun exchange with Lowell and a slight incline, my shin cramps left and I picked up the pace a tad bit. Soon I spotted Rachelle and RAD running towards us. I called out their names deliriously happy...such a welcoming sight! :) It was so wonderful to have them come run us in. :) Somewhere around mile 25, I felt a prompt to turn my head and look left, (Marci was running on my left while RAD and Rachelle running on my right); at that instant I spotted my husband running on the grass/sidewalk looking up ahead and didn't even notice us run by. I yelled out "Honey! Honey!" and he turned back and joined us. Hubby said, "I thought I would run a mile with you...but may be not with Rachel prodding you girls like a repeat at Park City!" :) He cut corner at the last turn and was actually running ahead of me. My legs started to cramp up and all I could do was concentrate on not letting charlie horse seize me. Marci started to run faster like she smelled the barn or something. Rachelle and RAD were very encouraging to me and other runners. RAD turned around at the shoot and back to get Lowell. Rachelle ran with me 'till the barricade and encouraged me to beat the clock t'get under 4:25. I crossed the finish with the Garmin stopped at 4:24:19 (same as the official chip time). I jogged in place while the volunteer placed the medal around my neck. I kept jogging while the volunteer said: "She's still going!" I jogged/walked in circles until Lowell crossed the finished 2+ min later. Mile 24-finish ~ 9:39 (173), 9:38 (176), 9:56 (176), last 0.37 at 9:36 (178).
With my drenched clothes, I started to shiver once I stopped running, so went to get my bag and put on jacket. Then we lined up for the post-run feast of baked potato topped with bacon bits, sour cream and butter, BBQ pork sandwitch, frozen yogurt and lots of chocolate milk! :)
Lowell, RAD, Rachelle, Smooth at the food line. Lowell wanted us to show some legs! :) Lowell, RAD, Rachelle, Smooth, Sam  This is my slowest of the 3 Pokeys so did not expect to place. Was very surprised when they announced my name. Now I have three of these nice bottle/awards! :) 
As we were walking to the car, I saw the gal in my AG that took 2nd place at the PCM two weeks ago. I stopped to congratulate her for her placing at PCM. She was shocked to hear that they did not add the extra 1.5 hours to her finish time. She started the race at the "walker early start". I sort of suspected that as she was usually a 5:30-6:00 marathoner. So that means I actually placed 3rd at PCM, O well! :) My fitness level has taken a nose dive. Last year I ran this in 4:06 and felt great. This year I ran 18 min slower and my legs are trashed! However I need to consider that it has only been 13 weeks since my second stress fracture and a recent tachycardia episode, I am extremely grateful that I finish this marathon in one piece AND I ran an even splits with my heart rate average at 158. Very happy with the progress and the lucky break! :) <iframe width='465' height='548' frameborder='0' src='http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/217645743'></iframe>
| 