Philippians 4:13

Top of Utah Marathon

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Location:

Idaho Falls,ID,USA

Member Since:

Apr 21, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

2007 St. George Marathon 2:32:06 (marathon PR)

2014 St. George Marathon 2:32:45 (close to old PR...7 years later!)

2014 Boston Marathon, 2:39:00, 298th OA, 8th AG, 1st Idahoan

2013 Lake Lowell Marathon, 2:48:34 (Course Record), 1st Overall (#6)

2012 Boston Marathon, 2:43:26 (HOT!!), 114th OA, 9th Master OA, 1st Idahoan

2010 B&A Trail Marathon (MD), 2:40:18, 1st Overall (#3), Master's Course Record (still!)

2010 Mesa Falls Marathon, 2:48:55, 1st Overall (#4)

2009 Pocatello Marathon, 2:37:22, 1st Overall (#2)

2011 The M.A.D. Marathon, 2:55:14, 1st OA (training run) (#5)

2006 Teton Dam Marathon, 2:50:48 1st Overall (#1)

2015 Hood to Coast Relay (195 miles), 1st Masters Team (6th OA), 19:59:57, 6:03 avg pace for the team

2008 Ragner Relay Del Sol (182 mile relay) 1st place team 17:04:37, 5:38 pace avg for the team

50,000 lifetime miles from spring 2000 to October 2019.  Computer logged 50,000 miles from Jan 2005 to September 12, 2020. 

Logged (on computer) 49,802 miles (2 x circumference of the earth) in ~5,700 days (8/23/20)

Logged (on computer) 24,901 miles (circumference of the earth) in 2,889 days (11/29/12) http://jeff.fastrunningblog.com/blog-My-alarm-went-off-I-got-up-eventually-/11-29-2012.html  

Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep on running, enjoy it for the sake of running, relax and enjoy life...de-stress.  Stay fit as I enter retirement in < 4years.

No racing, retired.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep running until this old body says no, running for fun.

Personal:

 I started running competitively in 2005 and ran my first marathon in 2005. Now retired from competitive racing.

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.  - Psalm 86:1-7

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Miles:This week: 9.20 Month: 105.50 Year: 432.55
Runs With Moxie Lifetime Miles: 12488.60
Vibram Five Finger Bikila Lifetime Miles: 137.80
Saucony Xodus 2011 Lifetime Miles: 982.61
Saucony Fastwitch White 2019 Lifetime Miles: 1960.23
Saucony Guide Yellow 2019 Lifetime Miles: 1187.00
Brooks Launch 6 Red 2020 Lifetime Miles: 2221.00
Zoot Solana Tigers Lifetime Miles: 873.00
Nike React Infinity Black Flyknit 2021 Lifetime Miles: 960.90
Nike React Infinity Blue Flynit 2021 Lifetime Miles: 602.00
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Lifetime Miles: 667.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
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Race: Top of Utah Marathon (26.2 Miles) 02:59:36, Place overall: 22, Place in age division: 2
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
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The race was really well organized, from the packet pickup through the post race refreshments, massages, and activities (band, awards, food, vendors, etc.).

The race had over 1900 people register, 1633 people started and 1512 people finished.

As for me, I finished the race in 2:59:36 (average pace of 6:51/mi). Overall, I came in 22nd and 2nd in my age class (35-39)! So, I accomplished my two main goals - Qualify for the Boston Marathon and finish under 3 hours.

As for the race itself, here is the story. The bus left our hotel about 5:15 to take us to the city park where we transferred buses to the starting line. The temperature was about 45 degrees at the start, but with lots of ominous clouds and wind. I was able to get right to the front of the pack for the start. At the gun, a group of about 30 runners took off at the front (I was in this pack). After about the first 2 miles, a lead pack of about 6 runners was clearly moving out. I was running solo or with a few others scattered about for the next two miles or so.

At about 5 miles, the wind really kicked into gear and the rain started. I caught another runner (Paul Peterson) and for the next 8 miles, we paced each other and took turns being the wind break (I would run in front for a mile, then he would for a mile). At about the half way point, he took off (he ended up in 6th place and was the first local runner to finish). I hit the half way point at about 1:22 and was feeling pretty good, but now I was out of the canyon (and the downhill section). I was still running in about 10th place overall and on target for my goal of about 2:50 finish.

The next few miles went pretty good. Still slightly downhill but with more flat and uphills thrown in. About mile 17, I started feeling some pain in my left hip and noticed that my pace had slowed. This is when the first few runners started catching me (mostly young guns in their 20's). From mile 18 - 22 was doing ok, the hip not too bad and still averaging about 7:15/mi.

Then, the first real hill at about 21.5 miles. This is where I pretty much hit the wall and from here to the finish took about four 20-30 second walk breaks and my overall pace dropped to somewhere around 7:45/mi. At about mile 21.5, I pass a runner (he stopped totally) who had just passed me a couple of miles back and I later see him (around 24.5M) as he is working his way to the finish after dropping out. Poor guy...to make it this far and have to quit!

But I keep pushing on. By mile 24, we are back in Logan and working our way into downtown. As we head into mile 25, a short but good hill looms. I make it up and as I hit the 25 mile marker, my hamstring cramps hard. I have to slow again and walk it out and manage to regain my pace. I am doing pretty good as I am coming into the home stretch until I hit mile marker 26 and my hamstring cramps again! Two runners pass me, but I start running again but am unable to quite catch them before the tape. I was running in the top 20 for 26M and then a cramp this late drops me out...rotten luck!

Overall, I am really happy with my first marathon result. Lessons I learned from this race include:

1) Hydrate at ever stop to help avoid cramps (I did this pretty well but maybe take more next time).

2) More carbs during the race (I did the fruit snacks after about the half way point, but more intake like GU might have prolonged the onset of my fatigue).

3) Start out a little slower. I was on par for what I thought I could do, but need to start out about 15-25 seconds slower per mile to have a better second half. I was expecting a 5-10 minute slower second half split, but not a 17 minute slide.

4) Find another racer at about your same pace and work together for the first 13-18 miles to improve results for both.

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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
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