St. George Marathon - RunMarathon


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St. George, Utah
United States
City of St. George
90F / 32C
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 30m 36s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

During the summer I was training for my A race the Utah Half Iron Man Triathlon and had entered myself for the St. George Marathon as a well, thinking I could train hard for both. As I completed my Half Iron and with about a month before this marathon my motivation to run had dropped. I just didn't want to run it. During the last 5 weeks before the marathon my, average weekly run had drop to 9 miles a week. So I was a little worried that I was under trained. I also had a sinus infection that I had caught the week before that was still lingering with me.
Event warmup:

The morning of the race my motivation to run was a 4.5 out 10, so at least I wanted to be out there. I didn’t go with my usual oatmeal & applesauce. I went with leftover chicken & rice. And I decided to wear my new running shorts that I bought two days ago before and had logged a total of two miles.
Run
  • 5h 30m 36s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 12m 37s  min/mile
Comments:

I ran this last year and it was the hottest race ever on record. This race didn’t look any better. So I didn’t know what to expect. I took my own hydration pack and 3 gels. I took my ipod as well, which I never did turn on. I just wanted to finish, not be last and be happy. As the race got closer I had a decision to make, pace with the 6 hour or 5:30 group? I went with 530 group. I went with them last year and kept up with them for the first 9 miles. I suppose I figured I could do the same this year and hoped for the best.

The gun went off and it took me another 10 minutes to pass the starting line. Our pacer was a guy from Jersey. He was funny and very motivating to run with. The plan was a run/walk. I don’t how much running to walking it was, but he did say he wanted to push us the first 8 miles so we would be a head of schedule when we got to the Veyo hill and as a reward we could walk most of it. I was all for that. I had charge my garmin the night before. But right before the start, I tried to turn on my garmin and it would not turn on! Thats what I get for not being motivated to run. I tried everything I knew to get it on. I was to the point where I was going to put it in my return bag when I finally got it to work. About mile 5 I’m hearing a beeping sound from watch at different intervals! I checked my watch and it showing low battery. WTF! I just charged it last night! I silence my watch and hope for the best (I like keeping data on all my races & practices). I’m liking this run/walk pace were doing. I was feeling good. I still have to remind myself I still have over 21 miles to go. We got to Veyo hill and we walked! We made it a quick walk, but it was still a walk and everyone was walking. We got over the hill and I was still with the group (last year the hill got me and I lost the group). We go to mile 13 and I felt ok but not good. I was still running with the group. I continued hydration and ate a gel. I drank only water at the aid stations, which started at mile 3 and were every two miles till the end. I told myself “half a marathon to go, anyone can run a half marathon!” I continued to say this at every mile. I stoped with 4 mile to go as it was getting old and I was thinking a lot of negative thoughts. (Ex. and it uck hot, this is dumb & I should be watching football)

Next thing I know we were at mile 20 and were passing people. Between mile 21 & 22 I was feeling like I may finish with this group pace and maybe faster! I’m getting very tired now and wanting the walk to last longer. At mile 24 we get into town and the crowds are cheering us on. I felt like I got my second wind, but it seemed like the pace group also got it to. Slowly the pace group pulled away or I couldn’t keep up with them and my hope to finish at 5:30 is lost. I start to walk, as I have no energy. I tried to do my own run/walk, but I feel like its mostly walk. I get to mile 25 and there is a big crowd telling us “just one more mile” and “great job”. I say thanks, but deep down I want to tell them “You run 25 mile and be happy about it!” I have two turns to make before and I hit the finish line. Its 4 blocks make a left and 4 blocks and the finish line. I make the last left, and I’m beat with 4 blocks to go. I have no watch, so I don’t know what my time is. I’m thinking I’m under 6 hours, maybe 5:45, and I could be at my PR of 5:34. With two blocks to go. I hear these girls say if we run the rest of the way we can break 5:30. I’m like What!?! Maybe I’m that close as well? I get to the finish line, no sprinting at the end & no drama. I tried to smile a lot as I wanted a good picture taken of me. I looked at the clock 5:41:xx, my gun time. 5:30:36 my official time and a new PR by four minutes!!

My pace group finished around 5:28.

What would you do differently?:

train more
Post race
Event comments:

I got my finisher medal and headed to the athletic area for some ice-cold coke. Got two cokes, went to grass area to sit, but more like fell down. It was funnier to watch me get up. Sipped my drink and let the after shock happen. That included the cramping of both my calves. I was so happy that I sat down before this happen. I just sat there and drank and tried to get the cramping to stop. I met up with a couple of friends and chatted about the race. Some were happy and some not so much with their performance. I can’t blame them as it was a hot day and a lot of people were cramping at the end. I got my fills of all my excitement and got ready to go home. I took a finisher photo. It actually turn out good and it a being a PR moment. I’m thinking I might buy it). I g ot my stuff and went home. By the time I got to the car, I had the Frankenstein walk mastered.

This was number 7 STG marathon for me and the most memorable experience. The 6 race before this, I didn’t want anything to do with running for at least two month. This one is a little different.


“I could do that better. I could do that faster. So…Here I go again!!!”





Last updated: 2011-08-01 12:00 AM
Running
05:30:36 | 26.2 miles | 12m 37s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Course: point to point. from central down to st. george city park on flood street.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]