4:29:33 AP 10:15 By the time I realized I was running too fast it was too late. First time running this marathon and I think it's my last...I am embarrassed that I even thought I could stay with the 4 hr pacer. My attitude during this marathon mirrored my attitude during training. I wanted to quit. I didn't know what to expect of myself and this was an emotional roller coaster for me. Biggest marathon so far. Tons of people. I'm a triple marathoner and this was my slowest pace. What cracks me up is I warned Jeff to not go out too fast. Now watch what I do.
Woke up at 3:30am cause Jeff's friend told him you could get prizes for being on the first bus. Well, we didn't get a prize. Super long bus ride. Super long wait at the top. I should have memorized the stats and facts the announcer kept repeating before the race. Every state but Vermont and Delaware were represented at this race. They handed out space blankets and we sat on ours close to where they'd light a bonfire soon. I got some hot chocolate.
First half= 1-9:02,2-9:03,Jeff was in front of the pacer and I was right behind him. 3-8:30,4-8:29,5-9:09,someone gave me a flat tire at the water stop and I saw Jeff for a minute but then left him behind. 6-8:01,7-8:36,8-11:05,(veyo-the pacer was walking) 9-10,10-9:24,(waving to the helicopters around here somewhere)11-9:49,12-9:53,(it was around here that I lost the pacer. I had been talking with TJ who was also trying to stay with the pacer. Cute 21-yr old from Idaho. We stayed together for a few miles here. I spent myself on these hills trying to keep up with him. I told TJ to go ahead without me. 13-9:37 (I think this is where the spectators were and the right turn down to the beautiful snow canyon. My quads were already feeling sore on this hill. Mile 14-17 were 10:12,10:20,9:53,9:52 and the I just wanted to quit here I guess. Mile 18-20 were 11:27,13:47,12:00 I gave up. at 18 my legs were hamburger. I grabbed a GIANT grape otter pop from some kid, got off to the left and turned around to walk backwards and look for Jeff. I saw an ambulance go by with lights and siren going and wondered if it was Jeff. I was worried and wondered how far behind me he was. I actually saw him a ways back walking off to the left like me so I decided to wait. He said he was surprised to see me. We both complained to each other about our aches and ran together for a while. Walked ran up the hill and was excited to see the showers of water up there. Jeff actually ran ahead for the next few miles. I was done. Walking a lot. This whole next section was downhill and I couldn't even enjoy cause my entire upper legs felt broken.
Miles 21-23 were 11:05,12:25,12:23 Walking, stopped for icy hot, walking So I decided I need to catch Jeff and I saw the spectators. I zoomed down the hill (haha) to catch him and smacked him on the butt. He said he wondered when I was coming. We were both struggling but he more than me so I kind of helped him to the finish line. I saw TJ right up ahead of us and yelled her name and said "You waited for me!" She asked me to drag her to the finish. We ran ahead of Jeff for a few minutes but I kept turning around to make sure he wasn't too far behind me. We grabbed popsicles and I lost TJ. Super nice, cute girl. I stayed with Jeff. Grabbed ice and water and dumped it on my head. The spectators were great. I slapped any kids hands that were out. One of my favorite signs was at mile 24 that said "Worst parade ever!" So, I grabbed the wet hand towels and so much appreciated that! We were seeing runners on the ground receiving medical attention and Jeff was making funny noises. I kept asking him if he was okay and telling him "we're almost there!" He was behind me right before the last turn and I said "C'mon, we're almost there!" I tried to push him (like, get him to race me) to the finish line, spectators cheering!!! I think he understands now why I didn't hear him blowing his air horn at me during the last mile of my first marathon. Your just trying not to fall down and die! Anyway...we crossed the finish line together!!!! It was awesome! My 6 yr old asked me why I'm walking like my legs are broken! I said cause they feel like they are!
Mile 24-10:09 25-11:19 26-10:58 and.3 was a 10:04
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