26.2 3:24:04.9 175/183 - Great considering the past week, not so great considering the 16 before. This race started out well enough, the first four miles pretty much on target for a BQ with a 7:14 pace, but in the third mile, my legs did feel a little sluggish. I thought "It's just because I haven't run much all week, I'll find a rhythm!" Miles 5-9 were a little slow, averaging 7:36, included a short POP break (they had brand new bottles of hand sanitizer!) In these mile my younger brother Travis passed me as well as a co-worker Adam from my previous job (who I also went to high school with) who beat me in Ogden by 12 minutes. We had chatted before the race - Adam was shooting for 3:30, though Ogden was 3:23, and Travis was shooting to improve from last year - we bonked at mile 17 and he ended with 3:51 or so. I tried to keep them in my sights, but by mile 9 or so, I couldn't see them. Miles 10-16 went pretty well, though I think mile 10 was short and 11 long, averaging 7:16. I crossed the halfway point over a minute behind Travis and Adam - who were still together - and 2 minutes behind my GOAL time. Miles 17-18 weren't too bad (7:39.5), the I started to cramp up a bit right before the 17 mile marker. My family and a couple friends were at the Maverick to cheer me on - they apparently thought I didn't look so good, energy and form? Miles 19-20 are the uphill miles so I don't feel so bad about the 8:11 average, especially considering the cramping. Mile 21 was downhill, unfortunately, I didn't have much in me to take advantage of this, so 8:00.4 was what I ended up with. Mile 22-26.2 were a little rough, but interesting. My average pace was 8:57, but it was only that good because I caught up with Adam. I was so tempted to walk for a minute just when Adam came into view. This is the same place that I had 'died' last year, but seeing Adam 40 yards ahead of me gave me a new goal for the race - beat Adam! So I kept running. For 2 miles he would surge ahead and it was all I could do to not let him out of sight, but as I reeled him in I considered passing him, but didn't want to expose my 'hand' and I didn't think that I could hold him off. And then there was the cramping... I don't know what it is about TOU, but I run out of electrolytes, bad! My wife was at the top of the hill just before the 24 mile marker - an inspiration to say the least. She ran me down the hill and update me on Travis' position, 4 minutes ahead. Just after the aid station, a small group passed and I thought "Now is the time..." so I went with them, passing Adam. I held on to the lead, glancing back at each turn and a couple times along 100 East. At each of the turns, he was in sight, but by the time I got to Center Street on 100 East, I couldn't see him. I tried to finish strong, but didn't have a sprint in me. In the finishers corral, Adam said "That's what I get for trying to keep up with you in the beginning." Travis was in much better shape after the race this year than last - he beat me by 2 minutes and 30 seconds. I was a little worse than last year (I don't think it was noticeable to anyone, but eating made me sick) The massage was a great way to wait for my mom to come in - beating her 1st marathon by 5 minutes at 5:17:04. The End
That was the end of the race report. For those who may have read this far but don't like excuses, stop reading now. For my sake, here's the full explanation of the race. Tuesday or Wednesday of last week, I started getting the flu - I distinguish the flu from a cold by my hunger level: when I get the flu, I get hungry an hour after eating. Figuring this means my body needs more fuel, I started taking more food to work. By Friday, I had a mild sore throat, worse on Saturday. Sunday I didn't feel so good, skipped church, staying home with a sick daughter, but felt OK by mid-afternoon until I ate some Taco Soup - that did me in an hour and a half later. I took it easy Monday though a bowl of cereal before bed was too much for my stomach. I felt alright Tuesday (in fact I played basketball and it went just like it normally does). Wednesday I decided it was time to run again - sort of. I took my 7-year old for a 2.5 mile run walk, averaging 13 minute miles. By the time we got home, an hour and a half after dinner (Tacos) I was ill. Thursday was fine. Friday, when I woke up, I finally felt good! I ran 2 miles and suddenly had a little hope for the race - which is probably why I couldn't sleep that night, 2 hours. I thought that I was better. A friend had invited us over for dinner after the marathon. He is half Mexican and makes amazing - you guessed it - tacos. An hour and a half after dinner I realized that I am still not over the flu... I put in an average of 38 miles in the 16 weeks before race week this year - that's 13.6 more than last year. Travis put in around 25 the weeks he ran, but had quite a few weeks with no runs... His training this year wasn't nearly as good as last year. He runs on guts, and I run on training. I beat him in the half by 2 minutes (1:25:31 to 1:27:30). We both figured I would lose him and probably beat him by 15 minutes. Then I got sick... I guess that's all part of the experience. I am pleased with the results, considering the past week. I am disappointed with the results considering the 16 before...
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