Turn your rut into a groove.

Well, that happened. In the parlance of my grandpa Floyd, I "started, farted, and fell." Ironically enough some flatulence would have been welcome.

I went into this race feeling like I was in pretty good shape, and perhaps a PR was in the mix. I didn't sleep super well the night before. Nevertheless, things started decently but went down hill after Veyo. At mile 8, I was right around 1:00:00. After that, climbing Dammeron, my legs didn't have much to give. 2 years ago, I was motoring past people. I got motored this year. I reached the half around 1:42:00 and felt like I was in decent shape timewise, but my stomach was really starting to get fussy with sloshing and cramping. From this point, the course is mostly downhill. That proved to be the case for my race as well.

I was looking for anyway to alleviate my stomach--false pitstops, walking, and even manual pressure. I hit the pots at 14, 17, and 20. All were "fruitless." The walking started intermittently after that until roughly mile 23. I don't know why, but I just couldn't power through the stomach issues, and every downhill grade was brutal. Every other stepped, I could hear the demons of the marathon throwing rocks in the well of my stomach. At this point I was just waiting for anyone I knew to pass me, so that could be done with. There were fewer than I expected to come by. It must have been a rough day for many folks. These miles must have been scary pacewise because I positively split by like 36-37 minutes. On the other hand, the last 3 miles felt better than the other 2 marathons that I have run. 

Once I came down into town, the stomach started to calm down a bit--perhaps the change in pace allowed my stomach to do its job, finally--and the crowd really helped. Thankfully, I didn't hear any "You're almost there"s. I did see quite a few people I knew cheering. As I got through the first aid station on Diagonal, Tyson and Trevor came along to run me in. I know I was a bit ornery, and in my mind was cursing them the whole time, but they really, really helped me. I can't thank them enough. We worked into a fairly steady pace. Once we reached Tabernacle, I was able to pick it up and push past people. I even passed the 4-hour pace group at the roundabout. By the time we hit 300 south, the boys were trying to coach me to speeds that I probably wouldn't have on a normal day with a fresh body. I gave them all that I had at that point. I don't know the split for that last mile, but I'm sure that is was my best mile all day. Thanks, guys. I was pretty glad to be done and ready to be home. I realized that I'm at my orneriest after a marathon because marathons are very, very taxing, both mentally and physically.

A few years back, I would have been pleased with my time today, but I left the parked feeling purty darned disappointed. But I guess I shouldn't be too bummed out because, honestly, the marathon hasn't been my top running priority this year. In the end, there were many positive things about the day:

1. I finished.

2. I was able to notice others around me and admire the great effort that so many give to run a marathon. My long lost buddy from Oregon and I were able to chat at one point.

3. Disappointment brings reflection.

4. So many people bring their joy and service to so many others during a marathon.

5. It's great to know that so many people love and care. 

P.S. I added an extra .05 to the mileage for the bathroom breaks and because I don't deal in anything shorter than a 1/4 mile.

am--3 Warm-up and cool-down w/ the girls sandwiched around their workout. The body feels decent, a few little niggles that's all. 

pm--3 I got a few more miles running from home up to the XC meet and spectating. Then I came back home. Nice little rain we're getting.  

am--6 Felt good this morning. In fact, I was dragging my running partner along--he has put in some big miles so far this week. It was fun to try some new kicks. My father-in-law always buys the family new shoes around marathon time, and, ironically enough, mine didn't get here until after the marathon. Anywho, light and comfy. 

pm--5 Ran on some grass somewhere w/ someone and got home to a tasty treat--huevos rancheros.

am--6 Went to grab a Bountiful Basket this morning and then headed out for a run. I went up Lava Flow and then followed the Parkway to the bike trails and came back across the Heights down past the Little League fields and back home. This is a variation of a route I used to run a lot. I think I'll get back on more regularly. On a side note, the cold weather brings chafing a lot quicker than the warm weather. 

pm--6 Anasazi Trail w/ Tom. But he locked his keys out of the car, so we ran to my parents' house--they weren't home--and to his grandma's in search of a remedy for the situation. It ended up being a little more than I had planned on but good nonetheless.

R.I.P. Al Davis.  

am--5 Ran with the girls to Starbucks this morning and then hit a mile on the track and timed a 100 at the end--18. It was a nice morning out.

pm--3.5 Warm-up and Hot Nails w/ the JV girls. It was nice.  

am--7.5 Early morning run on the usual route w/ a little extension. Sending out positive iVibes for region now. 

pm--5 Up to Green Springs w/ the girls and then a couple 800 laps w/ some of the boys. The kids are having fun. Yesterday was a great day for them. 

am--10.75 A nice morning run up on the Heights and through Ivins and back down SC Parkway. It feels really nice to get in a run like this. The legs feel pretty good. 

pm--3 A little run in Orem w/ my wife. 

am--5.75 A run down into Provo, up University, and back into Orem before making apple cider. 

am--5.25 A truncated version of the usual morning run. 

pm--4 Ran a warm-up and cool-down w/ the girls and tried to follow them around on their 200s, but the hammy was a little goofy.

pm--4 We got to Sandy and ran in a park near the hotel. Finished w/ striders. The hammy felt a bit better today during the striders, so that's a plus.

am--3 Woke up for a morning run w/ the kids before state. That went well. Then added a bit more spectating. The teams ran their guts out and came in 2nd (girls) and 3rd (boys). Kind of a bittersweet day.

am--6 Got home pretty late but knew that today would go so much better if I got a morning run in, so I did. Usual morning route.

am--5.25 I slept in a little bit and then went out for a nice run around the neighborhood, solo. There's comes a time of the year when this seems more doable, the solo part I mean. 

pm--5.75 I ran on my old morning route, up Lava Flow, down Lava cove, and back around the way I came. It seemed a bit warm tonight. Oh well.

I stopped in the middle for a second to watch the PV/SC game. Twas a blowout at half.  

pm--9 Got out after the XC carwash and hit Barrel Roll w/ the Sidewinder extension. It actually felt fairly tough  today. I haven't been on the trails much this summer, and it was a bit warm. When I got home my weight was down. Maybe I was a bit dehydrated. Nevertheless, it was fun to get out on the trails again. Don't ask me why I ever got out of the habit. 

am--3 Arctic Circle w/ the kids. Nice morning. 

pm--6.5 A nice run to the green pole and back w/ the girls.  

am--6 Nice little morning run on the regular route. 

pm--6 Sunrise hills w/ the kids (4x). The boys and girls both were packing up nicely. The kids are inspirational.  

pm--5.5 Neon Spider run w/ the kids. It was dark and scary and wet and muddy but super fun. Perhaps it's a good time to retire the Brooksies. 

am--6 Nice morning run in the first truly cold morning of the fall. 

pm--8 Old man hills and they killed me. Like I told Kaylee, I think this might have been one of the hardest workouts I've run w/ them. Maybe, I'm old. Maybe, I don't bounce back as quick as the young 'uns.  

pm--5.25 Hart's warm-up and cool-down sandwiched around 2 x 1200 cruisers w/ the girls, run indian-style. 

am--7.75 Early morning run w/ extension.

am--6.25 Anasazi to the homestead w/ Tom. Both were nice runs. I feel tired in an exceptional way after a good week of workouts and mileage.

am--3 A nice AC run on the morn of Hallowe'en. 

pm--7 Up through Green Springs and around. We stopped by JP's for a sugar cookie in the middle. That was nice.