Had a really fun time today at the race. The course was diffucult but enjoyable at the same time. Thankfully the wind wasnt an issue and the rain held off until the last couple miles.
Started off easy with Nate Bundy and we ran together for a few miles and chatted about running. Everything felt good so I picked up the pace just a little. My garmin apparently didnt pick up any signal so when we started I wasnt getting any pace info. That took about a half mile to figure out so I dont have any accurate splits.
Had fun running along enjoying the views and weather and chatted with Ty for a bit as I caught up to her coming around the lake. Once we started into the houses by the lake I started to feel the lack of proper marathon training. My easy to hold pace was becoming a bit of a labor to maintain. From here on out I just tried to keep positive and remind myself that I wasnt here to race but to get in a good training run and see how the injury would play out.
I did fairly well until the hill coming out of Sand Hollow. I slowed to almost a walk up that sucker and my abs got really tight for the remainder of the run which caused my hips to tighten up which made everything uncomfortable. I took plenty of water at each station and grabed a cliff shot every 7 miles and I think that helped me make it through.
The last 4 miles into town where pretty brutal as my legs where completely gone and I was struggling to hold a 7 min pace. I even turned off my music and passed it off to my dad as he came by in the car so I could concentrate on breathing and listen to my body better. Some where in here I got a nice surge of energy and picked up the pace for about a mile but then that burned out and I was left to talk my legs into working for the last bit.
I checked to watch and calculating in the missed 1/2 mile I figured I could still beat 3 hours (which I didnt think I could do), so I tryed really hard to work the last mile. Im sure it wasnt very quick but I was trying hard.
So it turned out to be a fun run, the abs held up ok and I dont think my fitness has completly left so that gives me hope for Utah Valley. |