ST GEORGE MARATHON
PRE-RACE
Where to begin? St. George is a special race for me. My parents have been running it for years. This was my Mom's 25th STG. Everyone in my family has run STG at least once or at least tried (my sister started the race last year with a stress fracture and couldn't quite make it through). As kids we looked forward to October every year to go on vacation to St. George and watch Mom and Dad run. So, I have really wanted to run well at STG. Last year during the awards ceremony when I placed 10th and finished lower and slower than I wanted to I promised myself I would come back in 2013 and break 2:20. I have worked all year to get my body ready and trained to follow through on that promise.
My A-Goal was 2:17:59. My B-Goal was 2:19:59. My C-Goal was 2:23:59. I would be elated with A, happy with B, and be ok, but a little frustrated with C. In my mind, with my fitness level, training, and the course profile of STG anything above 2:20 just can't be considered a huge success. I understand my PR coming in was 2:27, but that 2:27 at PHX in my view is equal to about 2:23 at STG. I think STG is that much faster. So, with 2:20 I was only asking for about a three-minute "effort" PR.
My main concern was clearly stomach issues. I've had them in every marathon except for my very poor Ogden race this year. But, since I didn't have stomach issues at Ogden I decided to follow the same nutrition plan I did for that race. The goal was lots of carbohydrates Thurs-Fri with the biggest meals being Thursday dinner and Friday lunch. Friday's meals included pancakes, oatmeal, turkey sandwich, Gatorade, rice, chicken, two CLIF bars and French Bread. Dinner was early with a late snack. Breakfast Saturday morning was a CLIF Bar, a Powerade Gel, and some Gatorade.
I met Bryant, Jason, and Ben at the buses and we ran into the St. George crew and all of us rode up on the same bus. It was a fun bus ride with a lot of good company. Clyde convinced me I had to hit 10 miles in 40:00 or I had wasted the excellent weather conditions. I think we joked about going after course records, apparantly Bryant didn't realized those were jokes!
At the start line I saw so many friends. I love seeing everyone and having a reunion of sorts before and after races. We have a special running community here in Utah. I jogged easy for a couple minutes, no more than a half mile with a few strides. I visited the potty three times just to be sure. I was ready to roll. My legs felt good from the taper and I felt very confident.
RACE
The gun went off and I eased my way into a pace. Nobody took the pace out very fast. After 100 meters or so Iain picked it up a tad and some people got about 10-15 feet on me, but after the mile I had got up to the lead pack. Mile 1 5:32. The second mile is slightly uphill and Fritz and Bryant started to pull away a bit from the rest of the leaders and I decided to go with them since it wasn't a blistering pace by any means. Mile 2 5:33.
I had gotten the start I wanted. I wanted to ease into a pace but not get too far behind the leaders. I got my pace and I didn't have any gap, perfect start. During mile three the three of us started to pull away a tad and the pace quickened, but I was ok with that. I planned on 5:05-5:15 for miles 3-7. Mile 3 5:08
During mile four Bryant quickened the pace a bit more and Fritz followed. I chose to not follow, even though the pace felt very easy and comfortable. I had planned on running 1:11/1:07-1:08 and I was not going to let anyone else dictate a faster pace. I wasn't sure what others would do but I was set on running my race. Bryant and Fritz I could tell were headed for 1:09-1:10 half and I didn't want that. I was confident I could catch them on the second half if I stuck to my 1:11 and saved some legs for the second half (had my pacing gone as planned I would've been dead wrong about Bryant coming back). Mile 4 5:06
I was now running solo, but I was ok with that. I couldn't hear anyone behind me and I felt like top three was looking pretty good. I enjoyed the early sunrise and nice cool temps and just tried to lock into a good steady rhythm. Mile 5 5:12 Mile 6 5:03.
During mile 7 I heard footsteps and breathing and wondered who was coming up on me. My guess was Kotter, but turns out it was Jason Holt. He said, "Hey buddy, let's work this hill." I thought wow he's running a gutsy pace, but hey it'll be nice to run with someone. Around this time my stomach started hurting, but I tried to ignore it and pretend it wasn't happening. Maybe I could will it away. We grabbed our bottles at mile 7, mine was watered-down Gatorade. I took maybe 2 ounces and dropped it. Mile 7 5:09
Now we were hitting Veyo Hill. Jason pulled ahead of me a bit as I slowed a bit to keep my stomach from getting too upset, hoping it will pass. Halfway through the hill Jason starts to feel it and I pass him back. I gap him a bit and try to get back into a good pace, but the stomach just isn't allowing it. I know a stop is imminent. That's ok, I planned on having one stop. I mean, let's be realistic that's just Riley Cook's reality when it comes to marathons. At least it was early and likely early enough that I could get my legs/pace back. I figured I would stop at the next aid station at mile 9. Mile 8 5:52 Mile 9 5:45.
I hop in the port a potty and 9 and it almost tips over! It was on a slant to begin with, but the wind was blowing in the direction that would help it to tip and once I got in it almost went down. It scared me pretty good. It almost tipped again when I stood up to leave. I get out after maybe 45 seconds and count my new place. I had fallen from 3rd to 9th. Crap! But the good news is that 4-8 were all running together and were only 15 seconds up on me. Jason was now 3rd and had a good 40 second gap, but I train with him and know his fitness well, without any further hiccups I could run Jason down. In the past after stops I have sort of panicked and tried to immediately make up lost ground. Now, being a little more seasoned, I decided to slowly work my way back into pace. The group gapped me another five seconds during my first mile back and had about 20 seconds on me. Mile 10 6:20 (probably about 5:35 running time).
Now I was getting my legs back and during Mile 11 I started making ground on the group. Mile 11 5:40. Matt had fallen off the group and I passed him first. I gave him some encouragement and moved on by. About a half mile later I passed Zak who had also fallen a bit back. I wished him well I kept moving. Then Kotter took a pit stop up ahead. I was back into 5th place. Mile 12 5:32.
Iain was gaining ground on Jason and I was gaining ground on Iain. I think I can catch them in the next three miles. Mile 13 5:18. Half marathon split just under 1:12, not sure the exact seconds. But it is basically the exact pace I planned minus the time for the stop. I keep making up ground during Mile 14 and I can now see Fritz again. Maybe I can still get 2nd? Mile 14 5:19.
Mile 15 drops ALOT and I leaned forward and let gravity do it's thing. I was now only five seconds back of Iain and Jason. I can pass them by the end of the mile and I'm back in the top 3. But, then very suddenly my stomach hits and I have to slow down or else suffer being the victim of embarassing internet photos. Luckily the aid station is only 30 seconds away. I'm three seconds away from 3rd place but I have to stop AGAIN, COME ON GIVE ME BREAK! Mile 15 5:05 (was headed for a 4:55 until I slowed for the stomach).
The stop is relatively quick and I come out to find I have fallen from the cusp of 3rd place again to 8th! ARGH! Once again I have to take a mile to ease back into pace. The group ahead have strung out a bit, but they all gain another 5-10 seconds on my first mile back from the stop. Mile 16 5:59 (probably around 5:14 running time; this mile should be 4:5x).
I get a tiny bit of pace back and set my sights on Metler who is in 7th. I can also see Jason ahead of him, who's fallen back to 6th. These two definitely look catchable. The others maybe, it depends on how well I get my legs back. Mile 17 5:20 Mile 18 5:20.
During 19 my stomach is back again! I am starting to feel sorry for myself and this is a good time to feel sorry for yourself as you hit the last major hill. I remember thinking, "Well this race is a disaster. I really really wanted a good one today". The little devil shows up on my shoulder and says, "Hey if you drop out now you can save your legs from soreness and get back into training immediately on Monday for Big Sur". I tell the devil that we both know I can't stop and I keep plugging along. Mile 19 5:42
There is supposed to be an aid station at mile 19 right? Where's my port a potty? I gotta go. I decide to go off the side of the road. I do so, use my gloves and then hop back on the road with another 45 seconds gone...poof!
I see Scott and he says sorry about the stop and I say it's my third time. He knows this; he's seen me yo-yo-ing in front of him. He catches up to me and we hit the aid station about a half mile past 19 and get our bottles. I have a gel attached to it. It may upset my stomach but hey it can't get much worse and I may need the energy so I take it.
Scott passes me a bit after running on my shoulder. Almost a mile has passed since the stop and my legs are starting to come back after easing back into it yet again. Mile 20 6:04 (probably 5:20 running time).
I don't remember the exact split at mile 20 but I do remember doing the math and thinking if I run 32:xx for the last 10k I can still hit 2:22. Really? After all that's happened 2:22 is still within reach? I also remember telling Jason before the race that the last 10k drops as much or more than Des News 10k. This is doable; I can run 32:xx. Quit being a baby, quit thinking of how everything has gone wrong, quit feeling sorry for yourself and expecting Scott to feel sorry for you too, and just run the rest of the race like a man and hold your head up high for doing the best you could. So, I get my shoulders forward and I go.
I pass Scott quite quickly and set my sights on Jason, who is up maybe a minute. Mile 21 5:08. That's solid, I'm on pace. I can hit 32:xx! Mile 22 5:13. Not bad, that mile has a tiny bit of uphill so the effort is still there. Jason is coming back very quickly. I pass him during 23 and try to encourage him. Mile 23 5:10. Still doing it, 2:22 is still there! Mile 24 5:07. No wall today baby! This is what it's like to finish a marathon strong? I like it! I set my sights on Metler. I've gained about a minute in the last 4 miles and I think maybe just maybe I can get him, but he's still got a minute or so on me with two miles to go. Well let's give it a try!
I see Ed Eyestone with about 1.5 miles to go he tells me I am down by almost exactly a minute. That was both encouraging and discouraging. I knew I was gaining on him, but real esatate was running out. That's a lot to make up in 1.5 miles. The terrain flattens a bit and I slow a bit. Mile 25 5:20. It's not enough to pass Metler; I know it's not. I try to keep going strong though. Mile 26 5:24. I see my family and it's a nice boost. I see the clock and know I have to "get on my horse" to get under 2:23. I push hard the last bit at 5:03 pace and look up at the clock as I cross the line 2:22.5x, last 10k in 32:26.
I talk to Zak and Jon and find out Bryant ran 2:mother freaking 15! Wow. I was very happy for him. He was not going to be denied. What an inspiring performance. I see Scott cross the line. We embrace and then we see Mike come across in 2:25. Fantastic! Then I see Jason. Yes, he held on for a big PR.
And right behind him is Ben! Ben freaking Van Beekum made the comeback complete with a 2:26! I hug Ben and tear up with joy for him. He's been through alot and I knew this PR meant the world to him. I told him on Friday he was going to run 2:26.37. He said he wouldn't make a liar out of me and he didn't! Ben's performance made me forget all about my struggles and made my day!
Holt is right behind Ben! Is that a PR! What a race for that guy! Logan sub-2:30! Clyde a 2:33! Just fantastic performances everywhere you look!
It was a great day to run and to be able to run with so many stellar runners was a day never to forget. It wasn't what I wanted or hoped for, but I did my best with the hand I was dealt. I will get that sub-2:20 soon! I won't be denied! Thanks to everyone for your support! I respect you all so much. Sorry for the novel...
NOTE: photos are from the Spectrum Newspaper!
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