ST GEORGE MARATHON 2012
I came into the race with confidence, I had been crushing half marathons all year and I finally got my mileage up to the low end of a marathoner's range. I figured that I should be capable of running 2:22-2:23 on the aided St. George course, but I was hesitant to make that time my goal due to my previous failures at attempting fast marathon times. So I went with a more conservative sub-2:26 goal and thought that should be very doable. Turns out I was wrong.
Unfortunately I was on one of the last buses to get to the start and I was worried I wasn't going to have time to hit the port a potty and warm up. I prioritized the port a potty over warming up and headed for the elite area port a potties. Turns out the lines there are just as long as the non-elite port a potty lines. I barely used one in time before shedding my warm clothes and heading to the starting line.
I exchanged greetings with several runners including Ben, Scott, Fritz, Jon, Clyde, Dave, Steve H, and finally met Justin Park in person. The gun went off and the first pack took off pretty hard. I found myself kind of running alone. I slowed a tad hoping one or more of Ben, Scott, and Justin would pull up to me. Finally, Scott and Justin did and the three of us settled into the race. After two miles of easing into pace we started to hit some good splits. It was great running company.
As we approached Veyo I told Scott and Justin that 6:00-6:15 would be fine for Veyo hill and that it's better to error on the slow side and save the legs for the second half. After Veyo we hit decent uphill splits up on top but nothing too fast; it was still conservative enough. Around mile 8-9 I knew I was going to be needing a pit stop despite two immodium the night before and one the morning of the race. I waited a bit hoping to get a few more miles in with Scott and Justin before stopping. By 11, it was slowing me down a bit and I was 5 seconds off of those two guys so I figured I should just get it over with. So, I hit the port a potty at 12. Without going into much detail the stop took longer than I expected. I was surprised when I got out that no one had passed me. I was hoping Ben would have caught up by now and I could run with him but with the quick glance back I didn't see anyone super close.
So, now I was running solo and did so the rest of the race. After the pit stop I just never felt good again in the race. I had a hard time getting back in a rhythm. My splits were still decent for a few more miles but it didn't feel right, felt tougher than before the stop.
I hit the half marathon in 1:14:2x, which was almost exactly one minute slower than I wanted. But that minute was lost in the pit stop, so really I was right where I wanted to be time wise.
Once I hit the downhill section I thought I could get rolling again, but even though the splits got faster there still weren't where they needed to be. The story from 14-21 was my splits were still decent but 5-10 seconds slower than planned.
At 21 my stomach all of the sudden felt like it was going to burst. I felt really bloated and my stomach felt full of gas. It was very painful and I was hoping and praying for a belch to get some of it out. It took a few minutes and I considered walking it hurt so bad, but finally I belched some of it out. I had been diligent up to that point at taking in calories but I just couldn't talk myself into anything the rest of the race, not even water. The stomach was just way too upset and felt way too full. I could hear water sloshing around in there.
During this time I was in 8th place and I was passed here by the guy who ended up 8th and who outran me by almost three minutes in the final five miles.
After 21 the mile splits went from decent to trying to keep it together. I hadn't hit a wall I was just really uncomfortable (stomach wise) and tired. After mile 24 I started dry heaving a bit and gagging. I thought for sure I was going to vomit, but I fought it off (and slowed down a ton in the process).
It was at this point around 25 that the eventual 9th place guy passed me. I thought for sure and hoped when I heard footsteps it would be Ben. But it was some guy from Vegas. The last mile was just a complete grind. I thought if I could just get going a tiny bit I could go under 2:29 but I just couldn't get the turnover I needed. On the final turn for the first time in the race (I didn't allow myself to look back earlier despite slowing down as I wanted to keep my focus ahead only) I looked back to see if anyone was on my tail, luckily I didn't see anyone and figured I was in the clear for the last spot on the podium. I crossed the line in 2:29:22 and just felt relieved to be finished.
When I crossed the line, standing there to greet me were Scott and Justin-a very classy move on their part. They were waiting and hoping they would see me come in under 2:30 and congratulated me on the finish. I asked how they did and was blown away by their stellar times! They both are class acts and have worked so hard; I was so happy to hear of their successful races. Having them there helped me fight off the urge to be disappointed in my time.
I turned around and waited for Ben to finish. I knew that since he didn't finish in front of my 2:29 he'd be a bit disappointed. Things just didn't go as well and he and I would've liked today. We'll have to study Scott, Justin, and Fritz's blogs and copy their playbooks I guess.
I later saw Fritz and congratulated him on his victory. His wins and times still amaze me but no longer surprise me. It's just another day at the office so to speak for Fritz. But he truly has had an amazing year.
Reflecting back on the race I would call it bittersweet. I was happy I didn't hit the wall and to finish without needing to spend time in the medical tent (previous experiences), but I was a bit disappointed too. Everyone told me I should be happy with my performance and they're right it is a big step forward for me, but it still just didn't feel good. It didn't feel lousy either though, it was bittersweet. The podium finish helped too on not being disappointed. But I told Jake earlier in the week that I cared more about time than place and that is still the case. I would trade my 10th place for 25th if it would've been a 2:25:xx. But I guess I still have work to do.
Splits: 540 540 514 521 525 514 516 607 554 536 549 544 638(potty break) 536 522 519 532 531 548 537 535 553 554 551 611 601 123
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