Salt Lake Marathon

I DID IT!!! #2 is in the bag! I have been training for so long. It is so hard to get up knowing you have to run 20 miles, and it is just training! I have been using the smartcoach app on my phone and about a week and a half ago I looked at what my marathon time should be and about dropped to the floor! I didn't think it was possible for me to finish in 4.23. No way No how!! I missed a bunch of speed work was my number one concern. I noticed the marathon offered pacers so I started toying with the idea of running with the 4.30 pacer. then I thought maybe i should just go with the 4.45 pacer. I went to the race Saturday morning still not knowing what to do.

I ended up starting with the 4.45 pacer. It felt a little slow to me. So I ran at a comfortable pace which was a bit faster than them. I felt really good. we started at the Legacy Bridge at the UofU and ran down foothill for a little ways and cut down into the neighborhood in Olympus and ran down to Sugarhouse park. As I say Sugarhouse park I was a little confused and saw a ton of half marathoners running toward me so I looked for people I knew but didn't see anyone. As I was doing this I glanced over and noticed a sign telling marathoners to go a different way so I had to cross over and get going the right way. We ran down in and though Sugarhouse park. We made a turn and ran back against the other marathoners so I could see where 4.30 was ahead of me and 4:45 was behind me. As we came back out we met up with the halfers and I was now on the other side running against other runners so I looked for my sisters and right before iIturned off the street I saw Wendy. Anna wasn't with her so I asked if she was in front of or behind her and she said in front. I was feeling tired from the hills in Sugarhouse and had seen a water station ahead so I hurried and took a gu and kept on running. I finally caught a glimpse of the bright green jersey that was the 4:30 pacer. I adventually caught up and ran with them for a few then passed them. They didn't stop at water stops and I walked through them so they caught me many times. Don found me about this time and told me about his bike tour and that he had seen anna and wendy. He rode for a little while with me then decided to go on. I told him to come back in about an hour and a half.

I loved running through streets I had only drove on and many brought back great memories of my past. We ran down a road my cousin had lived on when the kids were little and we had a big Easter egg hunt in her yard! I loved running through Holladay and down one of my favorite streets. I don't know the name of it but I love to go down it because it is so green and beautiful! It was an extra special treat to run it!
We came out on to Van Winkle which is a big cross street here and I could feel the temps heating up. I couldn't find the sunblock in the morning so I went with no protection. I had decided the first first aid tent I saw I would stop and get sunblock on. I saw the mile 15 marker ahead! I couldn't believe I felt so great physically and was this far! I had kept an easy sub 10 min the whole race so far! But this street there wasn't much shade and I was getting hot. I knew Don would be meeting up with me soon. well at least I hoped! I just kept going mile 17 I started feeling really hungry and it was hot! but I kept trudging along keeping 4:30 in my sight. We were still going back and forth but because I was walking through water stops they advanced in front of me. We turned down onto 500 East and I was plotting the finish figuring out which way we would go and Don finally came back again! I was exhausted and hitting my mental wall. He stayed with me a while. In mile 20 my calf got a cramp so I stopped and walked and then ran again feeling fine, then it knotted again and almost had me on the ground. I rubbed it out and then stretched it. Then told Don to go find me some icey hot. He seemed like we was gone for soo long but I ran when I could a stretched and rubbed when I couldn't.

One thing I REALLY love about this race is teh spectators I felt like I was in a parade! The streets were lined with people cheering everyone on!! I love to read the signs and tear up when I see one that says mommy or daddy cuz it make me think of my kids. I kept wishing people would have a hose to spray me and finally I found someone who did! It was so warm I would walk through the water stops get a cup pour it on my head then get two to drink.

Finally Don came back I was still cramping and he said he had to go buy a bottle of it so we sprayed it on my legs and I was able to run again for a while. He told me the way of the rest of the course and I could finally see Liberty park, but I was done, I wanted to stop it was soooo much further (2 miles?). They came back. I walked a lot. He was off talking to another runner and I looked down and I could see the big divots in my leg that were the cramps. I didn't know what to do I just stopped and rubbed them wanting to scream because they hurt so bad. I told my legs just a little bit longer we can do this! I rubbed them more and Don was back.We sprayed more on and I kept going. I was now onto State Street. less than 2 to go.. then less than one and a hill was staring me in the face. I hurt so bad but I knew it was up the slight incline (that looked like a mountain) and around the corner. I had taken a wrong turn that morning and saw the finish line so I knew EXACTLY where I had to go. I walked up that hill. When I got to the top the volunteer/cop at the top said 4 blocks! You are almost there!! I tried to run but the cramps had a hold of me again I walked/hobbled/limped as much as i could until I could get a trot going on! I just wanted to stop and cry! I could see it that big red sign F-I-N-I-S-H. I didn't know if I could make it, but the little voice inside me said oh yes you can, the pain was horrible but with Don by my side and hundreds of people yelling I glanced at my watch and saw 4:44 on my time and I ran as hard as my cramped legs would let me. I eventually made my way over the mats and thought I was going to collapse. But I had made my goal! well one of them my mid goal. :) I am soo grateful for my active body! I am thankful I can run and be able to run 26.2 miles!!!
My official time was 4:44:46! PR by over 15 minutes!

here is a glimpse of my splits
1-10:26
2-10:34
3-9:55
4-9:40
5-9:47
6-9:54
7-9:49
8-9:53
9-10:08
10-9:51
11-9:39
12-9:48
13-10:18
14-10:23
15-9:56
16-9:48
17-10:32
18-11:29
19-11:03
20-12:25
21-11:57
22-12:42
23-11:52
24-13:13
25-14:09
26-12:44
27-9:18