Run Maynard, Run!

6.14 miles | 0:53:16 | 8:40 pace | AF River Trail/Alpine Highway

Such an awesome run.  The last 2 1/2 miles I got caught in a torrential downpour.  One of the thunderstorms that hit Utah County zeroed in on me.  Within 30 seconds I was as wet as if I'd jumped into the pool.  Wind gusts had the rain falling sideways.  Lightning was flashing all over the place, and the thunder so loud and close my teeth were rattling.  It was just a really cool end to the run--one I didn't expect but embraced when it hit.  It just felt SOOOOOOO good!

18.25 miles | 3:02:06 | 9:59 pace | Provo River Trail

...or 18.25 miles | 2:54:54 moving time | 9:37 pace | Provo River Trail

A more detailed report to follow--maybe.  I am one tired Maynard!

I will express gratitude again to Wendy who not only brought chocolate milk and muffins, but her willingness to use her resources to help me out of a tight spot!  I'll be forever grateful!

Kelli, it was fun catching up with you and the adventures you've had out on the ultra circuit.

Smooth, thanks (as always) for the invite!  I doubt I'd have gotten my 18 miles in without you!

6.22 miles | 0:53:38 | 8:38 pace | AF River Trail/Alpine Highway

Felt heavy and sluggish but I'm glad I got out and ran.

9.24 miles | 2:23:52 | 16:33 pace | Bear Canyon/Pine Hollow loop

Can you say "über slow"?  But I love this trail.  Except for the parts that go up.  Due to the heavy snowfall and late melt this year, parts of the trail haven't been cleared of fallen trees.  There were a great many trees I had to go over, under, or around.  Gotta love stinging nettle!

9.63 miles | 1:53:25 | 11:46 pace | Cedar Hills

Ran with daughter.  Enjoyed the morning.

4.28 miles | 0:39:11 | 9:09 pace | AF River Trail

2011 Deseret News Marathon

The birthday gift I gave myself that went south…

A little bit of minor background on me: I’ll occasionally get migraines but never have I had one affect one of my marathons—until today.

Saturday through Sunday night I was dealing with a moderate migraine.  Not so much debilitating, but it definitely affected my appetite and what and when I was able to eat—pretty much nothing Saturday afternoon until Sunday night at about 6.  And then what I ate probably wasn’t the best pre-marathon fare.

I found Tom Slick at the top early Monday morning and we discussed what a crazy, nut-brained thing it was to be up there like we were—half-heartedly joking about our hopes to simply survive the darned thing.

Up through mile 13 I was maintaining what I considered a decent pace in spite of the fact I had to take a potty break at the base of the hill at mile 5.5.  In the middle of the 14^th mile I had to take another that really played games with my head.  Stupid stomach issues.  My migraines ALWAYS wreak havoc with my digestive system and after the stop in the 6^th mile, I thought I had dodged that bullet.

WRONG!

The stop at 13.5 and another just before diverting off Sunnyside onto Crestview and Wasatch really messed things up for me—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.   By mile 21, after almost catching up to Slick, I had said goodbye to my last sub-10 minute mile and started counting into the 12’s and 13’s.  Every swig of water and Gatorade would not settle and I often found myself longing to just puke it all right back up.  I wished so many times that I had brought a couple of bucks so I could have swung into a convenience store and picked up something ice cold, like a Pepsi, to settle my tum-tum.  I’m pretty sure I’m done with Deseret News, but just in case I ever eat those words, somebody remind me to pack a couple of dollars with me. 

The last 8 miles also included a new left knee twinge and the resurfacing of some foot pain I thought I had left in the dust months ago.

I ended up finishing with a 4:39:21 (my watch time) which, after adjusting expectations, is OK with me.  Not quite the birthday present I wanted to give myself (a sub 4 hour run on that course), but it is what it is.

Happy Pioneer Day, everybody.  And Happy Birthday to me!

13.18 miles | 1:44:53 | 7:57 pace | Timpanogos Half Marathon (American Fork Canyon)

I simply could not be more happy with the results than I am--especially considering the debacle that Des News turned out to be on Monday.  I honestly didn't think I had it in me.  Surprise-surprise!