I guess third time is a charm. I was really excited about this years race. It was going to be Suzanne's First and I had high expectations. The last few weeks I hadn't felt quite right and with the heat I was a little nervous about some goals I set for myself but all and all I think I did pretty good. It was a hot day. They said it was the hottest ever in there 34 years. That affected me and some of the earlier runners a little but was a beat down for the four, five, and six hour people. Especially if they carried a little extra weight.
Suzanne and I got on the 4:00 AM Buses we got to the start line at 4:55. She had never seen a sight like this before and it made it alot of fun for me seeing it through her eyes. After a few early trips to the potty and mixing up our prerace fluids and drinks we split up at about 6:00 and said we would meet at the finish line.
I took my NO explode, my inhaler and lots of Argine and Glutamine along with some food bananas and bagels. It didn't feel cold at all and 5 minutes before race time I hopped into the Elite runners section.
The race was few minutes late in starting this year. I loved the new chip system nothing to worry about. I started a little fast. I really need to work on that. I guess that is one of the dangers of running so few marathons and so many shorter races. The first little bit is down hill but I was aware some what that I was going to fast I hit the first mile and then ran into Stephen King. I think we ran for a mile together and then he urged me on. I saw a couple other guys I new and just kept moving along.
When I got to the first aid station I started drinking and kept drinking the whole race. I only missed one and that was because it was way over on the other side of the street. I also would dump water on my shirt at every stop and by the time I got to the next stop it was dry again. Hard to believe when you are running in the dark but it was that hot.
My Heart Rate average was 166 and the high was 186. I think the heat added 3 minutes and I probably added another 2 by running to fast early. I think that combined with the heat.
My splits are below.
Mile 1-5
6:12
6:32
6:17
6:07
6:22
Mile 6-10
5:58
6:02
7:13
6:59
6:40
Miles 11-15
7:03
6:43
6:22
6:28
6:06
Miles 16-20
5:57
6:17
6:34
6:49
6:44
Miles 20-26 This is where I really started to lose it and last year I felt like I could really push it.
6:44
6:29
6:55
6:44
6:40
6:59
7:02
the last .19 showed up as 1:14
and my garmin measeured it as 26.19
I guess Some how the last little bit of my blog got deleted. I just said how it was a good day and fun to hang out with friends after. Lots of good memories. I will try to improve a be a little better but I was happy. My wife came in at 4:33:30 and I was extremly pleased with her.
We have already signed up for the runners series next year. I am planning on taking about three weeks off of running and then starting back up again. I have a bone spur in my shoulder so I might need to get that removed. It is really hindering my lifting. I am planning on Boston, I told Suzanne I would run the Ogden with her but that means I will take it slow. I have afew other small races planned for the Fall & Winter season. | 