Everything Counts

Ogden Marathon

Recent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesRileyCook's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageWeek ViewMonth ViewYear View
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
201220132014201520162017
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

South Weber,UT,

Member Since:

May 09, 2012

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

Personal Records:

800 Meters 1:50.14 (Track-BYU)

1500 Meters 3:42.07 (Track-Stanford) Likely the best race of my life; converts to a 3:59.85 Mile

5000 Meters 14:20 (Track-Stanford)

8000 Meters 23:53 (Cross Country-Pre Nationals Iowa)

10000 Meters 29:57 (Track-Stanford)

Half Marathon (Mesa-Phoenix Half) 1:05:11

Marathon (St George) 2:16:09

Short-Term Running Goals:

2017 Races:

Mesa-Phoenix Half - 3rd Place 1:05:11 PR

Ogden WRC 10-Miler - 1st Place 55:46

Provo City Half - 1st Place 1:06:33

Ogden Marathon - 2nd Place 2:25:46

Long-Term Running Goals:

My main goal is just to stay healthy.  I was injured every year in my college career except for one.  I would like to reverse that trend and always stay injury-free.

 

Personal:

I am a family man.  I am married to my beautiful wife Amy (who also ran at Weber and is quite the runner).  We have four beautiful daughters named Evelyn (6 years old), Hannah (4 year old), Nora (2 year old), and Iris (5 months).

Twitter handle: @RunnerRiley7

Instagram RunnerRiley7

I am supported by Brooks

I am a Generation Ucan elite athlete

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Salomon Pro Wings 2 Lifetime Miles: 161.10
Brooks PureCadence 5 Lifetime Miles: 101.85
Brooks Adrenaline 17 Lifetime Miles: 161.85
Brooks Transcend 4 Lifetime Miles: 219.45
Brooks Ravenna 8 Lifetime Miles: 225.10
Brooks PureCadence 6 Lifetime Miles: 188.10
Brooks Launch 4 Lifetime Miles: 107.50
Brooks Glycerin 14 Lifetime Miles: 101.47
Brooks Hyperion Lifetime Miles: 92.13
Brooks Caldera Lifetime Miles: 31.10
Race: Ogden Marathon (26.219 Miles) 02:25:52, Place overall: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.220.000.0026.22

OGDEN MARATHON

Well another Ogden Marathon in the books, and another cold, rainy, and this time windy day. This marathon has had the worst weather lately. We're due a gorgeous day next year!

I have to start with a little background on me and the Ogden Marathon. I've lined up for this race three times prior to today. All three times I had aspirations of placing top 3 and finishing in the mid 2:20s to 2:30 range. In 2011 I threw up at mile 14 and again at mile 18, cramped severly in the canyon, and dropped at mile 24. In 2013 in poured rain and I ran just terribly. I had no physical excuses, I just didn't have it that day. Last year, I threw up again at mile 16 and again at 18 and 21-22 and ended up in the medical tent. This race has OWNED me. Which is a tough pill to swallow when it's your hometown race.

This year, I was determined to beat this course. Not only was I going to beat my nemesis (Ogden Marathon), but whether I won the race or not I was going to beat its record. If I wasn't going to win, whoever beat me was going to have to beat that record, because I was going to beat that record. It would be the perfect revenge against the course that has destroyed me every time I challenged it. This race was always more about me versus the course than it was me versus the field of runners.

PRE-RACE

The crew all met up pre-race at the buses: Ken, Ben, Denver, Matt, Bryant, Wolpert, and me. We also saw Mike, Bobby and their crew from Utah county there. The weather downtown before loading the bus was excellent. No rain, no noticeable wind, it was really quite calm. Spirits were high and excitement was in the air. Once we got up to the start, there's a 90-minute wait for the race to start. A light sprinkle started, which wasn't a shock as the forecast called for 30% chance of light rain. I had prepared for this with a tarp for us to sit/lay on and a mylar blanket to cover us. The rain steadily increased and wind from the West picked up. The weather was getting quite ominous. Staying warm was getting harder. The pickup truck for the bag drop let people sit inside for awhile and Ben, Ken, and me actually set the tarp underneath the large pickup truck and used it as shelter. 45 minutes before the race I drank my Ucan I had brought up with me and then took one more trip to the restroom. By now it was raining a lot and the wind was 5-10 MPH headwind. I couldn't believe it; it was deja-vu of the last two times I've run this race. How does it rain every year?

RACE

The race started and Bryant barely made it to the front in time. I was worried, but he got there just in the nick of time. The field was quite stacked: Anthony and Bryant with their PRs in the 2-teens, me, Ben and Ken in the best marathon shape of their lives, and Montana man, Collin Fehr, who we learned after such research ran a 1:05 half against Brett Hales last year at American Fork Half Marathon. The wind was strong enough that I suggested we take turns leading and drafting. I took mile one and then we were gonna switch each mile. The splits on course were all over the place, so I'll  just post Strava splits at the end (splits don't mean much in this terrible weather anyway). I have to believe the markers were off because they'd been blown down or away and probably just set up sporadically where people found them. Bryant led mile two and Anthony mile three. Montana man introduced himself to the rest of us, "Howdy boys, I'm from Montana. The name's Collin". I knew I liked this guy immediately! So, the stage was set a pack of four runners up front in the lead.

Mile three, Anthony took his turn leading. Mile four I wasn't sure if Montana man was interested in our working together as he was just off to the side a bit, so I went to lead again. But Anthony stayed on my side instead of tucking behind and then took the lead again. Anthony ran a courageous race! He basically led in the headwind from here to mile 9. He got a small gap at times, but then we would catch back up. The conditions weren't very conducive for getting gaps. I was happy to draft behind Bryant and Montana Man as we yo-yoed back and forth behind Anthony. Around Pineview we had a heavy crosswind and were anxious for the canyon, hoping for shelter from the wind, but ironically these miles from 9-13 were some of the calmest of the race, weather-wise.

On the rollers in this section, I got the slightest of leads on a hill. Anthony worked up beside me, but I could hear his breathing and he was laboring. I internally checked how I felt and my breathing was fine; I felt good. I then glanced over my shoulder at Bryant and he looked smooth, but also seemed to be breathing harder than me. Finally, how was Montana doing? He was 2-3 feet back and looked to be laboring. I concluded I was feeling the best at this point, and the first thought of hey I can win this thing crossed my mind. But I reminded myself that there was a LONG ways to go. Part of me wanted to move a bit here and test my theory, but prudence won over and stuck to my plan. My plan for the first half was a three-step plan: patience, patience, and patience.


We approached the halfway point and crossed in 1:11:27. Bryant was with me, Montana was a second back, and I'm not sure if Anthony was there or not. He had to be at least within seconds, but I really don't know for sure. I do know that he and Montana were not within sound anymore over the next mile. Just after the half, our friend and crew member Jon, was there cheering. We approached the hill at 14 and this massive gust of wind pounded us. I looked back at Bryant who was now a step or two back and said, "Are you freaking kidding me? Come on!" He shook his head and we were both in disbelief of the weather. Nothing close to this was ever in the forecast.

On the hill I gapped Bryant without trying to, I feel it was more him slowing down than me speeding up. I pulled out my UCan gel here and nursed it over the next mile. Which turned out to be perfect timing, because after mile 15 mother nature reared her ugly head! Gusts of wind picked up and pelted me with rain. Little raindrops traveling at 40-50 MPH hitting your bare skin feels like needles! It hurt badly. I thought it was hail, but it was just rain traveling very quickly with ferocious velocity. It was here that I knew the course record wasn't going down. Nobody could run that fast into this wind! My nemesis saw that I had a slight lead and was feeling good and it was not going to let me off that easily. Miles 16-19 were the hardest miles I've probably ever run in my life. There was a 20-25 minute stretch where it honestly felt like running into a Hurricane! Speaking with several people after the race, this time window hit everyone at the same time regardless of where you were on the course. Slower half marathoners, like my father said it was worst in the canyon. Guys running in the 3-hour range said it was the worst right after the half. People running 4 hours said it was terrible on the East side of Pineview. For me it was miles 16-19, just before the canyon and including the first mile of the canyon (the fastest mile of the race in normal conditions).

It got so bad, that I honestly thought they may cancel the race; get everyone to shelter. And although it would've robbed me of a chance for victory, I totally would've understood the decision. I came through the aid station at mile 17 and it was complete carnage! Cups everywhere, flying in the wind. Tables knocked over. Canopies pinned up against rocks from the wind. Volunteers taking shelter in their cars. One stuck their head out and asked if I needed anything. I replied no and they rolled their window back up. I forgot to mention, but at 15 aid station I wanted water to wash the Ucan down. As the volunteer handed me the water I tried to grab it, but my fingers were so cold even with gloves, that I couldn't wrap my fingers around to clench it and it just fell straight to the ground. I also couldn't get my hands to push the split button on my watch, so I didn't take any splits again until 19.

At the spillway at the top of the canyon I saw my friend Tyler Call. He took some photos and it was a boost to see a familiar face after what were the worst miles ever. I turned at the spillway, glanced back expecting to see Bryant 20-30 seconds back, but saw no one. Ok, this is it! 8-mile aerobic builder and you will win the Ogden Marathon. The worst of the storm calmed a bit at mile 19 and the headwind slowed to 15-20 MPH, which normally would be something to complain about. But today, it was a RELIEF. I started the half marathoner weave. I thought I'd have a lead biker by this point, but no one ever led me. I was left alone to navigate the 4-wide half marathoners here and later on the parkway.

At mile 21 I saw Dave. He had run up the canyon to cheer. When he saw me in first place, he let out a shout and got really pumped up. This made me unexpectedly emotional. Dave more than anyone knows exactly the misery I went through last year, here at this very spot. He passed me last year right here while I was throwing up. It was the lowest of lows. And now here at the same place he saw me and it was the highest of highs, I was winning the Ogden Marathon. He pumped me up bigtime and got me moving. I left the canyon for the parkway and ran under the tunnel at Rainbow, which was flooded. No big deal, my feet were already socked. Emerging on the other side, it was like someone flipped a switch. The rain stopped, the headwind ceased. It was as if my nemesis, the Ogden Marathon course had given up. It had thrown every thing imaginable at me and I had persevered. It finally conceded a victory to me; the score now Ogden Marathon 3 Riley 1.

I was able to get my splits back in the 5:20s and finished strong. I turned the corner at Grant Ave which I had turned so many times before in our training. I looked for my family and saw my bro in law first and then the others. I swerved over to that side of the road, high-fiving everyone. I was so tired, but so happy too. I'd made it through atrocious weather and I'd won. I broke the tape and then was just tired. My body kind of shut down. Some volunteers helped me a bit, and wanted to take me to get warm. But, I told them I couldn't leave the area until my boys finished. I waited and waited and no one came. Finally, ten minutes later Montana Man came in. He said he thought Anthony had dropped and wasn't sure what happened to Bryant. 5-6 more minutes past and Harrison came in. Harrison is a great young man from Ogden who put some serious miles in this spring and ran very well. Right after that Ken came in. He was struggling; his body had shut down miles earlier. But he made it. Ben never came; we later learned he and Bryant dropped.

No one will ever understand that 20-minute stretch of hurricane conditions that didn't experience it. Yes, the rest of the time was bad too, but my word that 20 minutes... Whoever managed to finish this race today will never forget it as it was likley the toughest race they've ever endured. Hats off to all that ran and huge shoutout to the volunteers braving those conditions; true soldiers. And again huge thanks to my family and everyone else intrumental in helping me accomplish this; you know who you are!

Link to article in the Standard.

Brooks Pure Cadence 4 Miles: 26.20
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Eugene on Sat, May 21, 2016 at 22:46:56 from 70.212.34.17

Great job! Nice win!

From Rob Murphy on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 07:25:52 from 24.10.247.181

Good work Riley. I'm so thrilled for you. Nice little pay day too!

From Bam on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 12:39:19 from 89.126.28.24

Great report, Riley. Congrats on a brilliant win.

From JPark on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 14:25:44 from 67.172.224.201

Super impressive Riley. Congrats on a great win. While you had a great time, its exponentially more impressive given the story behind it and what you had to endure.

From jtshad on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 15:35:40 from 173.198.176.201

Congrats on a great time in very tough conditions! Patience and perseverance paid off.

From Steve on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 18:22:18 from 66.87.77.236

Can't say enough about this tough run. I remember those Ogden experiences, passing you while you stopped to puke and then you catching up only to stop and puke again. This finish is an inspiration! Maybe I need to do that to TOU which has always kicked my butt

From prestonmadera on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 18:54:09 from 71.199.17.57

Great race and race report, way to slay the beast! I will never forget that stretch or weather and where I was. You articulated what happened so well, complete carnage!

From Lesley on Sun, May 22, 2016 at 20:09:12 from 70.199.145.86

Congrats on the win! And wow! Sounds like a race you will never forget. Incredible time especially considering the conditions. I always enjoy reading your race recaps and glad that you beat the Ogden Marathon yesterday. You certainly put in the work to deserve the win.

From allie on Mon, May 23, 2016 at 14:32:16 from 24.99.46.55

everything i've read about this sounds so miserable. the mile marker signs blowing over/away, needle rain, flooded roads -- haha, what is going on?

miserable but memorable. congratulations on the win and conquering this course. i'm glad this one worked out for you after some tough days in the past.

do you think UCAN is your official solution? i've heard it has worked for a lot of people who otherwise have a hard time ingesting calories while racing.

From RileyCook on Mon, May 23, 2016 at 15:58:24 from 172.58.16.2

Thanks everyone, crazy day!

Steve, you need to get back into road racing! Go conquer TOU!

Allie, ucan for now is definitely the answer for me. I only have to worry about taking it once during the race. And it doesn't bother my stomach at all! It gives decent, steady energy too.

From butlerbrunning on Mon, May 23, 2016 at 18:03:22 from 104.52.197.67

Wow..nice write up.. Congrats on the race..

From josse on Tue, May 24, 2016 at 22:22:47 from 70.208.13.123

Racing in these conditions is off the charts brutal! Great job on toughing it out for the win.

From James on Sat, May 28, 2016 at 10:46:47 from 170.72.48.14

You are a stud! Great race in crappy weather. To win a marathon is a huge deal. Congrats!

From Rachelle on Wed, Jun 01, 2016 at 13:22:45 from 199.190.170.24

Loved reading this report. I am so happy for you and proud of you Riley! Congratulations.

Add Your Comment.
  • Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
  • Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
  • If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.
Only registered users with public blogs are allowed to post comments. Log in with your username and password or create an account and set up a blog.
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):
Recent Comments: