St. George Marathon 2013 Recap

I wasn’t even sure I was going to run the St. George marathon until 9 days before I ran it. Four months ago I was ecstatic about getting in. But then the summer came with temps rarely under 70 even when the sun was down, which meant I was mostly running on a treadmill. At the same time, work picked up occupying a handful of my Saturdays making scheduling long runs tricky. I also prioritized a social life making early morning runs hard as well as having several wonderful visitors that allowed me to procrastinate long runs even more. All the sudden 6 weeks out I was looking for excuses not to run and usually taking them.

Then two weeks before the race I decided I wasn’t going to run it. I had skipped my last two long runs and was barely running once or twice a week. I was tired and stressed and sad and an easy, expendable stressor from my life was the marathon. I didn’t think I could run it for fun or give up my goal and just enjoy my weekend. I went as far as to tell my work I wasn’t running it and could work that Saturday and Ben even rearranged his work schedule back to normal since I had decided not to go.

But then I read this article and several more on marathon training.  I thought long and hard about not being at the race I had paid for, trained (most of the way) for and planned a weekend getaway with my husband for. And even though it was a difficult process to arrange our travel plans back from where they were before I went from not running a marathon in two weeks to running a marathon in one week.

We arrived in St. George by 4pm Friday and settled in at our hotel. We headed to the expo, which is always a good time. At dinner, I asked Ben how fast I should run the next day and he reminded me that I had said I wanted to start with the four hour group and see how I felt. Then I told him I felt like I was underestimating myself and he laughed and told me I was absolutely underestimating myself and not giving myself enough credit and he was sure I could beat my last time if I tried.

I didn’t have that kind of confidence in myself, but I asked him if he thought I should try my hardest the next day or if I should take it easy and that I was afraid that if I tried hard and failed that I would be more upset than not trying. He told me that I should give it everything and that I would be able to do it.

So at dinner, 12 hours before I was about to start my marathon I changed my strategy completely and decided to see if I could push myself to a 3:35 finish time or at least to beat my last marathon time.

After dinner I tried on my gear for the next day (I stupidly didn’t bring a long sleeve shirt so I had to wear the race shirt given to me at the expo since the temps were going to be cold). I also got my pep talk from form from my nephews Johnny, Brandon and Thomas and my niece Maddie. 

 

They gave me one before my Utah Valley Marathon too so I’m hoping it becomes a tradition.  I was asleep by 9 with no nerves or problems just visualizing running as fast as I could.

The day of:

I was up by 4:15 and ready by 4:30. Not without first flooding the bathroom during my shower though. My running clothes were 1/4th of an inch away from being soaked. 

Early morning selfie!

The hotel had breakfast set up early for marathon runners and even had a shuttle to the buses. I had two pieces of toast with jelly and a mini blueberry muffin for breakfast. The shuttle took a little while, but I was at the buses by 5:15 and headed up the canyon to the start line.

I sat next to a nice older gentleman named Gale. This was his 8^th or 9^th St. George Marathon, but he ran 2-3 marathons a year. We talked about our past marathons, our family and our favorite running spots around Salt Lake. He gave me some tips about the course, pointed out different landmarks as we drove to the starting line and also gave me a pep talk. I gave him the short version of my training blips and told him my last time at Utah Valley and he told me I could do it and it reaffirmed that I was going to try my hardest.  He said he had seen miracle times come out of this course and he thought I could pull one out.

The starting line was freezing cold -- about 30 degrees. They had fires, but they were packed with people and it was hard to get a decent spot at one. 

By the time I found a decent spot I heard someone say it was 6:30, which meant I only had 15 freezing minutes left until we started and before I knew it we were lining up. I tried to get as close to the 3:35 pacer as possible, but it was pretty crowded.  We actually had to all shuffle to the starting line and only started running once we crossed the mat.

The first few miles were pitch black and crowded. 

Not an actual depiction but pretty close

I was doing a lot of bobbing and weaving and was having trouble picking up speed. I was glancing at my watch when I could but it was too dark to see and right when I felt like I was getting faster there would be a small hill to kept me from speeding up again. I knew I could be going faster but couldn’t quite break free.

Mile 1: 8:32

Mile 2: 8:31

Mile 3: 8:01

There was some light creeping up so I could finally see my watch and assure that I was speeding up. I felt good and was making up for the time I had lost at the beginning and was sort of shocked that I was keeping up the pace I was.  I told myself to keep my head on straight until I got to the hills from 7-14 and not get ahead of myself, but it was still hard to not have stars in my eyes at how fast I was going (even if it was downhill).

Mile 4: 7:53

Mile 5: 8:01

While running mile 7 – my fastest of the whole race – I had an intimidating view of Veyo hill waiting for me at mile 8.  After 7 miles of mostly downhill with some small rolling hills Veyo looked like bad news. I had done my research before the race and knew that it was about a mile long and at its steepest point was a 7% incline and you climed over 200 ft in one mile.  I also knew that Veyo was only the beginning of a series of rolling hills for the next seven miles. 

Mile 6: 7:47

Mile 7: 7:39

And bad news it was. I did not do enough hill training. I only made it up halfway before walking and it KILLED me. I was gasping for air by the time I stopped to walk. When I started up Veyo I was about a minute and a half over my 3:35 pace. I lost nearly all of that cushion in the one mile it took me to get up it. 

Mile 8: 9:28

Races love to put photographers after a long hill. I think I faked the smile pretty well though.

When I looked at the St. George elevation map I saw a lot of down hill. I saw little tiny blips up every once and a while and thought “those are so tiny! Those must me the tinest hills.” What I didn’t pay attention to is that the measurement on the graph is in the thousands and not hundreds of feet and that one of those little blips could still be a 100 foot or more climb. Well that is what I learned from mile 9-12.

Mile 9:  8:41

Mile10: 8:44

I grabbed a cliff bar from an aide station around mile 9, but it was almost frozen solid and I could barely breathe let alone eat so I had to manage small bites. I was also guzzling water at each aide station usually taking two cups in addition to my own water bottle of Gatorade I was carrying.

Mile 11: 9:10

Mile 12: 8:57

In the zone trying to manage those hills oblivious to the camera

Miles 9-12 really showed the cracks in my training. Sure I could run my paces when I was going downhill or even over minor hills, but I didn’t run bigger hills at that pace during training. In fact I rarely ran hills and that was evident here. However, I knew the hills reign of terror would come to an end somewhere between mile 13 and 14.  The hills on mile thirteen were very minor and by mile 14 we were cruising downhill.

Mile 13: 8:25

Mile 14: 8:24

Mile 15: 8:08

Mile 16: 7:55

As I saw my mile times getting faster I still had hope I could make up for lost time. I knew there was another bigger hill between mile 18-19 and my legs were starting to feel all the wear and tear. While my quads took the brunt of the abuse during Utah Valley this time my whole leg was in pain. My calfs were in aching and my ankles were as well. I felt like one wrong step and they’d just snap. I was just very tired. Usually during marathon I think about what I want to eat after, but all I wanted in that minute was a big bottle of cold water, ice for my legs and a nap. 

Mile 17: 8:02

Mile 18: 8:12
Mile 19: 8:44

With the last big hill behind me I took a look at how much time had passed and reevaluate my goals. Unless I managed sub 8 minute miles the rest of the race I wasn't going to get a 3:35. It made me just a little sad, but I was still proud of how hard I was pushing myself in this race. I briefly thought about giving up. Walking for a while -- maybe even just not finishing. But just because I couldn't get a 3:35 didn't mean I couldn't still get a PR. So I turned my music on and kept pushing even though I was hurting.

Mile 20: 8:18

Mile 21: 8:13

Mile 22: 8:19

Mile 23: 8:23

We headed out of Snow Canyon between mile 22 and 23. The crowd support was nice, but I couldn't muster the smile and waves the spectators deserved. I was just trying to convince myself to not walk and doing mental math in my head to figure out how fast I had to go.

Mile 24: 8:09

Mile 25: 8:25

I must give a shout out to Beyonce, Robin Thicke and the one and only Britney for getting me through these 2 miles. I was actually struggling to lift my legs all the way off the ground at this point. I almost tripped a few times when they just sort of… stopped working. I thought about taking a walking break, but realized I was dangerously close to not coming in under 3:40 so despite my body's best interest... I tried to run faster.

Looking for Ben/pushing really hard

What I remember of my thoughts during the last mile: Don’t throw up. Don’t pass out. Don’t slow down. Don’t cry. You don’t need your legs again anyways.  Don’t trip.  Try waving to spectators. Nope, just run. Run faster.

Mile 26: 8:27

Sprint Lizz. Run as fast as you can. You have 2 minutes to finish. Try to smile at the camera.  Don’t pass out. Look for Ben. Do. Not. Pass. Out. Keep trying to smile. 

Mile 26.2

fin.

I couldn't have been happier to be finished. I didn't know my official time, but I was pretty confident I came in under 3:40. I went through some amazing water misters and stopped for my finshers photo and put on my best "I'm not in pain" face. 

Then I wandered around sort of aimlessly. Someone handed me a lemon scented rag to wipe my face down with and that was magical. Someone else handed me water and chocolate milk. Another person was walking around with ice cream sandwiches and I took one, but didn't open in. Eventually I found my way out of the maze of the finish line and tried to find where to meet Ben. But still being semi-delirious and accidentally walking up a small hill I wasn't sure how to physically get back down with my legs in their current state. Oh man they hurt. I know I've said it, but just one more time -- my legs really hurt. 

So basically I just stood at the top of this small hill I didn't know if I could walk down without falling hoping Ben would find me. And he did! 

I was so happy to see him. I wanted to get a picture of us together (even though I was a sweaty mess) so I made another asked another finisher to take one for us and we chatted for a bit. Then we walked what was probably another mile back to the car (okay it was only 5 blocks).

The rest of the day was pretty perfect. We went to lunch at a Mexican place we like in St. George, and then went for a drive. 

Next we layed next to the pool went to dinner, got junk food from the grocery store, went to see Gravity and basked in my new personal record! 

This marathon was such a whirlwind. I am still processing it all a week later. I felt like this most of the week: 

I could barely walk for three days after, but I am happy to say that I'm feeling a lot better. Out of my four marathons this was by far my hardest. I don't remember zoning out for even one second while I was running. It was three and a half hours of making myself move forward and it was exhausting. It was the first time I have ever sworn off running while doing a marathon or promised I would never put my body through that again. I expressed more than one four letter word while trudging up those hills and am pretty convinced my nightmares will now consist of running down a hill only to see it is immediately followed by a steep incline.

But I am so happy I did it. I can't wait to run St. George again some day with better training.

I don't have any races on the horizon until June though. I'm planning to try Utah Valley for a third time and finally nab my sub-3:35 and qualify for Boston!   

Thanks to the friends and family who told me I could run this race when I really just wanted to sit at home and feel sorry for myself. And especially Ben who told me to run fast.

Utah Valley Marathon 2013 Race Recap

Going into Saturday I had nearly no expectations. The past six months had been plagued by my fair share of health problems. However, after finally receiving a diagnosis that I was B12 deficient and starting a regimen of shots my health improved drastically and quickly all within the month preceding the race. So as the marathon grew closer and my training times got faster I had no idea what to expect. My last run the Saturday before the marathon I somehow clocked a 7:53 mile as my last mile during my 12-mile run and I started to let myself think I could maybe run this marathon faster than I had been planning. My really optimistic secret goal was a 3 hour and 45 minute finish (8:35/mile). 

I took the Friday before my marathon off work and spent the day getting ready. I felt the most relaxed I ever have before a race.

Carbo-loading at its finest.

 I dropped Ben off at work (he sadly couldn’t get time off to come with me this year) and headed to Provo. I quickly picked up my race stuff at the expo.

Then headed over to my friends Emily and Ryan’s to stay for the night. Emily and I used to be roommates in college so it was just like old times.

College Days. We are so painfully sober in this picture.

I FaceTimed with my nephews Johnny and Brandon before bed and asked them for advice on how fast I should start the race (since I still really hadn’t decided how fast I wanted to start). Johnny gave me some great advice that I shouldn’t start too fast and save my energy. It was a good reminder. I was asleep by 9:15pm, which is a little bit of a miracle since I fell asleep at 1:00am last year.

Alarm was at 3:15am. I was ready and out of the door at 3:30am. On the buses by 3:45am. Uneventful bus ride. Arrived at the starting line in Wallsburg at 4:25am. Had an hour and a half to kill before starting. 

I ate my bagel, drank Gatorade and huddled next to one of the fires they had going. I was freezing (which is why I took zero pictures). As the starting time grew closer I made my way to the line and decided to start with the 3:50 pacer. I head the pacer say he was planning to bank some time since we have a downhill start before hitting the hills. I figured it would help me start conservatively, but I could speed up if I felt good and if not 3:50 would be a time I would be happy with.  And we were off.

I felt surprisingly good at the start despite my ambitious pace. It was clear the people around me did as well because they were all chatting. I kept talking to myself to make sure my breathing was okay. For about the first half of a marathon you should be able to speak without sounding out of breath so I would say phrases to myself occasionally to see how I was doing.  Yeah I am sure I looked really cool and not at all crazy…

Mile 1: 8:34

Mile 2: 8:24

Mile 3: 8:22

It was incredibly helpful having run this race last year and knowing where the big hills were. The first 7 miles flew by because I knew the race wouldn’t REALLY start for me until the 3 big hills from miles 8-9. I spent most of the first miles visualizing the hills and lecturing myself on how it would hurt but that was just temporary. When I rounded the corner and saw them I made myself just think of it one hill at a time.

Mile 4: 8:27

Mile 5: 8:26

Mile 6: 8:30

Mile 7: 8:27

First of three hills via Google Maps. Makes it look far less menacing than is really is...

 The hills were tough, but then before I knew it they were over and I was in the canyon with beautiful scenery. The moment in the race I had been dreading was behind me. I knew those weren’t the only hills, but they definitely boosted my confidence about the future ones. To be honest they were kind of nice. I have grown to like hills (to a point), because what comes up must come down. And downhill we went...

Mile 8: 8:41

Mile 9: 8:41

Picture from Mile 10. I swear I'm not grimacing.

 Mile 10: 8:18

Mile 11: 8:22

Downhill was nice, but my legs started to hurt before I even hit the half. I was also getting a little bored. I didn’t want to listen to music yet so I just kept trying to reassess my goals. I had passed the 3:50 pacer before we reached the first set of hills and getting close to the half I realized I was on pace to finish under 3:45 and was still feeling pretty good.  However, passing the official halfway point I thought “my race is only halfway done, but my legs are almost all the way done”. They hurt. 

 Mile 12: 8:30

Mile 13: 8:27

Half Time: 1:51:32

I decided I would turn my music on at mile 16, but then pushed it back more because it still felt too early. There were a few small hills here and then one last big mile from 16-17. I knew that after that hill most of the race would be downhill. 

At mile 16 we passed Bridal Veil Falls. I didn't take any pictures while running so thanks to the internet for this one.

Mile 14: 8:27

Mile 15: 8:11

Mile 16: 8:19

Mile 17: 8:24

  

At mile 18 I could see the 3:45 pacer in the distance. I knew I had finished the half in a time that could get me under 3:45 so I didn’t know why they were so far ahead. At Mile 19 I knew if I kept up the pace I was going I had less than an hour left to go. My legs were in some pretty severe pain at this point so that thought helped. I texted Ben’s sister to let her know I’d be finishing a little earlier than expected and also finally turned on my music. Then, around mile 20, I caught up and ended up passing the 3:45 group. 

At around mile 20. Sore legs, but feeling happy.

Mile 18: 8:23

Mile 19: 8:17

Mile 20: 8:11

We headed out of the canyon onto University Ave. There were a few spectators, which helped a little but man did my legs hurts.  It was also incredibly hot without the shade in the canyon. So I was doing what I could to distract myself, which mostly meant singing and dancing along with my music, which the spectators liked. They would call out my bib number and tell me I was doing well. This section was also pretty flat, and I pick up speed pretty fast when it is flat.They had misters along this section (stations that would spray you with water) and on top of that I took an extra glass of water at each station to pour over my head.

Mile 21: 8:14

Mile 22: 8:12

Mile 23: 8:22

There was one last hill at mile 24. It wasn’t huge, but it was at mile 24 of a marathon. By some miracle I didn’t walk it. My lungs could care less about the hill and actually wanted me to go faster, but my legs were deteriorating. All I wanted to do was walk. I told myself that at this point I could walk and still finish under 4 hours. There was a guy with a hose asking people if they wanted to be sprayed. I gestured for them to bring it on and it felt fan-freaking-tastic.  After mile 24 though I could actually see the finish line and I didn’t want the spectators to see me walking so I kept going. I tried as hard as I could to not think about how much my legs hurt.

Mile 24: 8:36

Mile 25: 8:27

I ran through another mister, which helped a lot. I was very thirsty and just imagined something to drink at the end to keep me moving. My legs hurt even more than before, which I didn't think was possible. As I got closer there was more of a crowd and I looked around for Ben’s family. As soon as I saw them I got a burst of energy and gave it all that I could to the finish.

Mile 26: 8:26
 Mile 26.2: Didn’t stop by watch…

Second Half Time: 1:50:01

Official Finish Time: 3:41:34 (8:27/m pace)

I was very hot when I finished and a little out of it. They didn't have water at the finish line so I had to settle for Powerade. I went straight to get my finishers photo and the photographer asked me if I was ready and I asked her if I looked ready, because I felt pretty rundown (pun). In all seriousness I didn't feel great. Not sick, but just dizzy and a little overwhelmed.

I look... sweaty. I swear its mostly from the water I poured over my head...

I found Ben’s siblings pretty fast and met up with the rest of the family. They made me an awesome sign and we chatted for a bit. We waited to find out my official time and took some pictures.

I was SO grateful they came. Knowing they would be waiting made me push through my dead legs to finish without walking. I decided since my legs were pretty toasted I would wait in the enormous line for post race massages (took over an hour for a 5 minute massage, but it did hurt so good). Then I headed to Emily's to shower and then back home.

So that’s it. I ran a marathon and felt pretty great. I finished with negative splits and if my legs didn’t give out I feel confident I would have kept picking up speed and finished a little faster. Unfortunately, legs are required to run so that didn’t happen. I learned a lot about myself and having confidence in my running. I also learned I need to do a lot of lunges and downhill running to prepare myself for St. George… SO MANY people supported me through this and had more confidence in me than I did.

It is three days post-marathon and I haven't done anything more than a mile walk. My legs are still pretty useless. Stairs are my arch-nemesis. I plan to take it easy until the beginning of July and then start training hard for St. George and a hopeful Boston Qualifying time.