I run therefore, I am!

I ran up to daybreak and did a triple threat loop around the lake. There were thousands of gnats all over the dang place that I kept choking on.  I followed Christies advice to try and picture myself in the race and simulate my running on my last three miles and make it count.  I did a 6:01, 5:47, and 5:23.  Felt amazing! The weather was bitchin and so nice out! Im ready as Ill ever be for Ogden next saturday.  I have some great support and friends and family! 

I felt great going into this race very mentally prepared thanks to some pep talks with Christie. I think my pep talks to her for the Ironman returned to me 10 fold! Sometimes your advise to others helps when they return the favor on your event.  I slept on a couch at a friends house in Ogden pretty close to the start line and woke up with a very bad migraine.  I was up at 4:15 looking through his cupboards for Excederin and to my astonishment none of his cupboards had a trace of even ibuprophen! I later found out from him that his family was into herbal remedies.  I was with Bill my brother in law and we made it to the busses and a friend of mine, Danielle, who I was waiting for and knew got migraines a lot, so I called her to see if she had anything but all she brought up was Advil.  So up at the start line I took some because I was getting to the point of Nausea.  This was a mistake. Ibuprophen always seems to bug my stomach but I was desperate.  It started to rain about 30 minutes before the race start.  It was great to see friends up there and have a little fun even though we looked like a garbage liner convention.  I love pre race atmosphere! I made my way to the starting line and got in front of Tee, and Devra and Tara and talked to a few fast guys and wished a few good luck. Steve Anderson came up to me and pants me in front of a few of the elite group.  Always great times with steve at the starting line! At Top of Utah half I tried pushing him in the river that came up close to the side of the road.  I wished I had a pic of me and him at that moment when everyone is in serious mode squatted down like they are running a 400 meter dash holding their watches in preparation to start them.  Fun times with Steve.  Im plotting my next race antics for him when we meet again.  Paybacks! Ok So the race started and I really felt good. There were a group of 4 guys and they really werent going out that fast I thought so I ducked behind them with Justin Park.  Our first mile was 5:12 and I told Justin I thought I was going out to hard. But I think the first mile marker was off a bit because my watch turned at 5:28. So I settled into that pace and followed behind Justin for the first 3. I was hitting 5:38s on the dime! Justin was pulling away each mile about 100' each mile.  It rained continously on us but it really wasnt a factor to me.  Riley Cook started pulling away at this point and distanced himself about .25 mile in front of me.  He was by himself and the pack started breaking up into single file. I was in 6th position.  The race continued and I really love the scenery up there and my favorite part is when you run next to the horses for about a mile! They love running with you its so awesome! I chatted with them a bit encouraging them.  haha. I swear I heard one say go wilbur!  It was mile 9 so maybe I was starting to go delirious. hah. I made mile ten in 58 minutes and had a goal to hit it in 55 but didnt let it get me down. I kept running and used the half marathon point to help fuel me with the spectators that were there! Very supportive.  The dreaded hill at mile 14 hit and slowed me down. It was pouring at this point and I laughed as I saw thousands of garbage bags and rain parkas strung out along the road from the half marathon that started at this point.  I was having difficult seeing out of my right eye at this point and thought it was from the rain so Id keep wiping it as I ran but my vision was so blurred and seeing stars out of the corner of my eye as I always do with Migraines. I actually stopped at mile 15 asking the med table for some Excederin or bayer or anything like that. NOTHING! In fact they didnt know what to say to me. I told them I had a vicious migraine. They said there would be a better med table at mile 19. So I proceeded and made it to mile 16 when I was so nauseated I had to stop and puke.  I then got to running again and was passed by a few runners as I was trying to get my legs to go again.  I made it about .25 mile when I totally lost vision out of my right eye. I was all over the freaking road and couldnt run straight.  I stopped and help my head trying to get my bairings. I started to shuffle walk run again and Steve came up to me and as he grabbed me I started to fall a bit but he was a help. I tried to get running again but my head was spinning and I made it about 100 feet with him before I threw up again.  I walked for a bit again and made it to 17 and thats all I remember. I know I was pretty out of it and stumbling and freezing! I heard a vehicle approaching from behind me and I waved them down but they told me I didnt need to wave them down because I looked like a drunk man trying to run a marathon.  It was a med crew vehicle. They laid me in the back seat and took my blood pressure 120/80 which I dont know what that means. Then they took my temp and it registered at 92 degrees.  They were freaking out throwing blankets around me and a guy actually was laying on top of me trying to warm me up.  They called the Ambulance and it got there pretty quick.  I just wanted to be taken to the med tent at the bottom but they were trying to get me to get into the ambulance. I refused! So the Suv that picked me up drove me down and I was given something under my tounge which helped out a  lot! I wished I couldve gotten the name of it because My headache subsided and my nausea at the same time!  I have never been in bad shape like that.  I learned from this race that no matter what next time I have a migraine before a race, to either try to get rid of it or drop out.  Second I learned to listen to my body more and suck up my pride and stop in a race to get aid if my body is asking for it. Its not worth the mental and physical pain later.   I want to thank my friends for their support and a very big thanks to the Machine  for getting me  ready for this race and helping me. 

I ran up to Daybreak lake and met Lisa Paxton, Binghams Track coach and we did a double loop around the lake. 6 miles. Lisa helped me last year at SGM when I was at mile 23 and feeling like crap.  She ran with me and helped push me as I was completely wore out.  I got to catch up with her and talk about some fast freaking kids from Utah. One ran a 4:02 in New York! I was talking to her comfortably so I didnt notice my pace but we were 7:15 our first mile and then we were pushing 6:45-and up to average 6:55 pace for 6 miles! Holy crap she is really talented. It was a fun run and now Im pulling the boat out for some quality bonding time I have missed all winter! 

I met up with the BBKs and did a 3 mile warmup and then did 5 sets of 2x400's with a 1 minute rest and a 200 with a 200 jog.  My 400's were all really consistent from 1:09 to 1:12  I about 5 1:10's I wished I had some one to push me on these.  The BBKs are great support though. My 200s were all 32-34 range. I do love the track workouts. As soon as i get on the track I swear my body turns to high school mode. 

Found a canal road and figured Id run on it for a new change of scenery. I ran to Herriman and then ran up to Pioneer road and over to Herriman High school and down to Daybreak lake for a loop around the lake and then back down to my house. I saw a few familiar faces along my route including James Barnes right by the high school. Im headed to Moab today to help them pace for the Thelma and Louise, an all womens  race they have. Fun stuff.  UVM is closing in fast!