Chad's Runs

Top of Utah Marathon

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Location:

Lehi,UT,

Member Since:

Jun 03, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

Top of Utah 2010  -  4:25

Short-Term Running Goals:

Run a sub 4:00 marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run consistently and have fun doing it.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Mizuno Elixer Lifetime Miles: 999.10
Mizuno (I Forget) Lifetime Miles: 755.98
Asics 1140 Lifetime Miles: 791.16
Altra Instinct Lifetime Miles: 534.45
Saucony Mirage Lifetime Miles: 705.00
Kinvara Lifetime Miles: 6.10
Nike Pegasus Lifetime Miles: 304.00
Race: Top of Utah Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:25:25
Total Distance
26.20

I beat my personal best by 2 minutes but was behind my goal by 25 minutes.  Crap.  I was on pace but my knee just wouldn't let me.  I've been worried about it since it hurt after my run in St. George.

 I don't know how people give a mile by mile account of their marathon's  They seem to blend together.  It was a beautiful morning and I felt great.  I started with a 9:03 trying to fight the crowd.  Mile 2 was more of the same but I still managed a 8:23.  I often went around the crowd during these two miles which messed up my watch.  It was now .13 miles ahead of the course.  That's a whole minute and a half I would have to make up.  After that I tried to take a better line down the canyon.  Mile 3 was 8:21.  The first water stop was at the beginning of mile 4 and I can't remember if I stopped or not, but my time for that mile didn't reflect one.  I ran it in 8:15.  I was putting in some great splits and felt relaxed with easy breathing.  It was encouraging and I was getting a good lead on my 4 hour goal.  5 was 8:30, 6 was 8:35, and 7 was 8:30.  I was maintaining a fast 8:30 pace.  8 was 8:23 and 9 was 8:38.  I took a hammer gel at the start of mile 10, took a water and finished the mile at 8:55.  I was still hanging around 8:30 but I was starting to feel my knee.  11 and 12 were 8:50 and 8:44.  I always have a hard time getting back up to speed after a walk for a water and gel.  13 was 8:51 and 14 was 8:41.  I was slowing a little but I was still getting ahead of 4:00 pace.  15 was out of the canyon and a quick 8:31.  Out of the canyon, you get a bunch of people cheering with signs all over the place.  It gives you a bit of a boost.  I took another gel and water at the start of mile 16 and finished it at 9:36.  I knee was starting to ache more and I had a little difficulty getting started again.  Mile 17 was 8:49 and 18 was 8:53.  That was the end of the down hill and I was at a 8:40 pace.  That's where I wanted to be, except that my watch was ahead of the course by .15 so instead of 9 minutes ahead I was only 7.5 or so.  19 and 20 are a steady uphill.  Its brutal going into the difficult stretch.  I ran them in 9:34 and 10:18.  21 flattens out but I was tired from the previous 2 and ran it in 10:15.  I took a gel running into the aid station and walked in for some water to wash it down.  I needed the energy and the water to have a chance at 4 hours, but I also was worried about getting started again because of my knee.  I was right about my knee.  The pain was horrible trying to get running again and I couldn't even stand it to try and warm it up.  I walked for a while and tried it again with the same result.  I knew 4 hours was out of the question I decided I was just going to quit at the end of 22.  I didn't want to walk in at 5 hours.  Toward the end I found that I could walk pretty fast and if I walked at a 14 minute mile I would still PR.  22 was 19:42, 23 was 14:15, 24 was 13:23, 25 was 13:37.  During 26 I tried to do a limp/run and it actually worked.  After a few minutes I could actually run.  I wish I would have figured this out earlier.  Mile 26 was 12:54.  So I actually ran across the finish line, beating my person pest, set at this same marathon in '05, by 2 minutes.

 I'm disappointed I didn't do better but encouraged by the first 20 miles.  I finished with plenty of energy, I just didn't get a chance to use it all.

 

Congratulation to Allie for KICKING IT.  She won and slashed her personal best.  I met her right after she collected her cash and congratulated her.  Well, here it is again.  Congratulations Allie! 

Asics 1140 Miles: 26.20
Comments
From Jason McK on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 22:47:06 from 97.126.182.184

Way to PR (except the painfully slow miles!) Keep with the training and the net 20 minutes will melt away...

From Calvin on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 11:37:02 from 66.133.117.3

You were running strong. Sorry to hear about your knee pain. Those last few miles must have been torture. You would have obliterated your old PR otherwise. Next time, right?

From RAD on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 11:57:33 from 67.172.229.125

I'm with Cal, strong effort, it's there, we just need to get that knee to cooperate. Glad you still hit a PR, know that that 4 was in the bag - and will be next time!

From ryandla on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 12:00:14 from 192.41.84.124

sorry about the knee - if anything after a little recovery and getting that knee better it will serve as motivation to get after it again.

From Chad on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 12:29:20 from 168.177.153.5

Thanks for the encouragement every one. I appreciate it. I know I can do it now. I was feeling really good. Now I need some motivation and something to train for so I don't sit stagnant of the winter like I usually do. Any suggestions?

From Burt on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 13:23:51 from 206.19.214.144

Great job Chad! Marathons are hard. I'm glad you didn't quit. Sounds like you just need some more consistent training. Keep up the good work.

From Jason McK on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 14:37:36 from 63.255.173.99

Running From an Angel in Lake Mead NRA - Saturday, January 8th...

From Scott Wesemann on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 16:04:04 from 75.162.85.220

Hey, that is the exact same thing that happened to me on my first marathon last year only at mile 6. I feel your pain. Way to stick it out and finish. Nice work!

From Chad on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 16:09:00 from 168.177.153.5

I had to get that Moose Medal! :)

From Chad on Tue, Sep 21, 2010 at 11:23:14 from 168.177.153.5

Jason - That Running From and Angel race does look cool. I don't know if I can talk my wife into laying down the money for another trip and hotel stay. We have relatives in St. George but Henderson is over 2 hours away. I think that is just to far. I know there is a half marathon somewhere near St. George during the winter. Maybe I'll do that one. I'm also thinking about the one down Provo Canyon the day before Halloween. That might be enough to keep me running until training starts for Ogden or Utah Valley.

From Jason McK on Tue, Sep 21, 2010 at 11:30:41 from 63.255.173.99

My sister and mom tried using he St. George Half to keep them motivated through January, but my sister didn't train enough, hurt her knee and then took a few months off and still hasn't gotten back into running... I guess that's just a warning not to race if you're not ready - or to just stay ready!

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