Started out super strong feeling AWESOME. Only thing that didn't feel perfect was my tummy. It wasn't sick ... it just didn't want to eat. The night before I had about 4 ounces of salmon and a sweet potato. Probably not the best carb-loading food but my appetite just wasn't there. Before the race started I was able to eat a banana, a couple bites of a zone bar and a few swigs of Gatorade. I was a tad bit worried that I wasn't fueling well ... but it was what it was ... my tummy just didn't want to take in food. Anyway ... long story short I ran one of my best races to date up to roughly 18 miles when the energy just gave out. I forced down one Gu at mile 9ish and tried for another around mile 15 but it just wouldn't go. The gatorade at the aid stations was far to sweet but the water tasted good. :) The wheels started to come off. It may have been due to lack of fuel (I did eat really well on Thursday and I was hydrated though), or possibly the XTERRA two weeks prior. However, I think the most likely cause was simply that I was not trained to run a 3:20. I just didn't have enough miles stringed together in my training. I had a lot of cross training miles, but mountain biking and swimming minutes just don't translate into running miles. (ALBEIT SO MUCH FUN!!!!) I am very happy with a 3:23:50. It is a new PR (even though I feel my 3:26 time at Ogden was a much stronger race). Plus I have had a wonderful weekend with Ry, Annie and Nic!!! (Annie also got a personal best even though she has crazy sick and hacking up a lung.) It was also great to spend a tiny bit of time with Smooth and to have Rachel smack my buttocks as she zoomed by me someplace between mile 20 and 23 (the last 8 miles of the race are all a blur to me ... honestly). So many had AWESOME results today!! Congrats to you all! (I just watched a video of Fritz's and Amber's win ... EXTREMELY COOL!) Happy Day! :)
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