Went north from the house up to Highland and then east to the mouth of American Fork Canyon. Hopped on the trail that meanders through the golf course and then behind Lone Peak High and what used to be called the Adventure and Learning Park. From there, mostly a straight shot back home. I was feeling fatigued that last mile, and that has me a bit concerned for Ogden in two weeks. Fun run. I've run most of this course before but never all together.
It's been 30 years since my Boy Scout days but I remember a week-long camp we had down in the Adventure and Learning Park--and most of that has now been developed into homes. :(
6.2 / 0:53:14 / 8:35 A.P. / Home
Knees were stiff and tight for the first half mile but they loosened up and the rest of the run rocked!
2010 Ogden Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:01:19, Place overall: 761, Place in age division: 67
Slow miles
Fast miles
Total Distance
26.20
0.00
26.20
Ogden, May 14, 2010.“What am I even doing here!?” kept running through my mind between the
hours of 5 and 11 p.m.The answer was
obvious, but I wasn’t exactly convinced.I ate an early lunch but by the time 9:00 rolled around I was hungry and
really wanted something to eat.I ate a
banana and a pop-tart and hoped that would suffice.
Off to bed—but the USA channel had a NCIS marathon going
on—I watched like 5 episodes before I forced myself to turn off the TV at 11.I like Mark Harmon (or the character he plays
in the show, Agent Jethro Gibbs).
Remember way back when in the mid 80’s when Moonlighting
was on?At some point in that series,
Mark Harmon played a love interest to the Cybil Shepherd character and I really
didn’t like him then because he was moving into Bruce Willis’ territory.Bruce and Cybil were meant to be together in
that series!!!And, actually, thanks to
Mark’s part, I think they were.
Sorta.
For a time.
Anyways…
The folks in the next room had their TV on all night
long.Unbelievable!And the sheets on my bed were scratchy.I didn’t sleep well (or much) at all.When 3:30 rolled around I was more than happy
to get up and get moving.
Met up with some of the others at the Marriot and hopped
a bus to the start.Smooth and I sat on
the very first seat on the bus.I don’t
think I’ve ever sat on the front seat before.Anyways, the plan was for Smooth, Kathie, Mark, and I to run for a 3:50
finish.
Well, the first 17 miles for me were fantastic!Except for a lack of porta-potties at every
aid station like the fine folks running this show said there would be: 'RUNNER INSTRUCTIONS – AID STATIONS &
PORTA JOHNS – Aid stations will be at various marks through the full
course.Please consult the map for
descriptions and services.The
less-glamorous cousin of the aid station, porta-johns will be available at all
aid stations in addition to the start and finish areas.'BULL!Thankfully,
the half-way point (the start for the half) had plenty.Anyhow, I had managed to keep up with Smooth
and we were doing fairly well—on track to come in under 4 hours.BDZ passed us just before the dam and he
appears to have jetted along from there on in.Good job, Brent!
Running down the canyon I could sense a bit of distress
with Smooth—walking through the aid stations was no longer an option for her
because she was afraid of cramping up.Interestingly enough—and it completely blew both Smooth and I away when
we realized it—our fastest mile of the day was mile 23 exiting the canyon.My Garmin flashed the split as 7:15 then, but
after loading into the computer and having it adjust for errors it came out at
8:02—but still a lot faster than planned or anticipated at that point.
The trail for the next 2 miles, as everyone knows, is a
total pain.Smooth’s legs were tight and
any real deviation from a smooth and steady stride could set her legs into
those cramping spasms she’s learned to despise.After a close call at the first aid station there along the trail I
suggested that she just run as straight a line as she could and I’d get her
water and PowerAde.I was very concerned
as we passed a large number of people who were just all over the trail making
it hard to make a straight shot of it.As we passed under Washington I was afraid of what the slats would do,
but we got through it OK.As we got up
and onto Grant Ave Smooth’s struggles really started to take their toll, but
there was no way she was going to call it quits.As she slowly hunched over I offered her my
arm if she needed it and it wasn’t long till she did.I was just so grateful I was there to offer
her my help—after witnessing her incredible desire to finish strong and happy
in the miles preceding this, I couldn’t imagine leaving her to go after a
better personal time.With about 4
blocks to go another runner, his name is Matt or Lance (??) by the way, came
and helped with Smooth’s other arm.In
many ways, Smooth pulled me in.And
hearing the crowds cheer Smooth on was both an emotional and physical boost for
me as well.
Final time was 4:01:19.They’ve got Smooth finishing at 4:01:34…What?Interesting considering we
pretty much started and finished together, step for step.
Smooth: I really hope you can get those cramps figured
out whether it’s an electrolyte imbalance or whatever—there’s got to be
something that can be done.In the med
tent when they got you all propped up you could see your calf muscles pulsate—it
was actually kind of freaky.Anyways,
absolutely loved spending the morning with you and hope I get the opportunity
again and again in the future.
Ran this with all 4 of my kids while I pushed the grandbaby along in a jogging stroller.
It was wet and started out cold, but I think we all had fun.
Corbin pushed himself and ended up finishing with a 23:18 race. He finished, drank some water, and then puked behind a car. Good times.
I was running with Addi, my 11-year old, fully expecting her to finish in about 45 minutes--which she actually finished in 43:09. To my surprise, however, with less than a mile to go she said that I could go on ahead. Really? OK.
Chantal and Haley finished at 41:50, a couple of minutes behind me, and Addi was right behind them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ran 6 while Addi had her softball practice. Last 1.5 miles was barefoot in the grass.
6.0 miles / 0:52:19 / 8:44 A.P. / Discovery Park, PG
