#2 OM - Epic

THANK YOU to all my family and friends who have supported me during this training cycle and race.  I can't tell you enough how amazing it is to have someone rooting for YOU!  Thank YOU! Thank YOU!

This past week I've been tapering and I about went crazy.  My body felt like it was going through detox and my mind was spinning out of control.  By Thursday, I couldn't handle it any more.  I decided to sew myself a dress as a distraction.  Tim came into my sewing room and asked what I was doing and I told him.  He lovingly responded, "You ARE crazy!"

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect out of the Ogden Marathon.  My training has been good, but I still have a loooooong ways to go.  I hit the wall so hard during my first marathon that I didn't know how I was going to handle the ending miles.  So my *main* goal was to have FUN.  You can't go wrong with FUN, right?

I headed up to Ogden around 3:00pm on Friday.  Tim stayed home with the kids as they had various activities going on Saturday.  I went straight to the expo.   After I picked up my packet, I noticed that the authors from the book "Running the Edge" had a booth.  One of the authors is Adam Goucher (husband to the elite marathoner Kara Goucher).  Kara is one of my favorite athletes to watch.  I immediately headed over to the booth and asked if he was "Mr Kara Goucher".  "Yep.  But my name is Adam."  We chatted for a few minutes and they signed my book.  Of course, I had to have my picture taken with them.  Awesomeness!

I met Rachel and we headed out for yummy pizza.  It was wonderful to laugh and fill our bellies.  Then, she so kindly drove the last half of the course with me.  It was so helpful to actually see the hills and various landmarks.  We ended the evening and I headed to my uncle and aunt's house in Layton.

Waiting outside the expo ready to get the marathon-madness OVER!

Rachel and I eating dinner

After a restless night's sleep, I jumped out of bed at 3:30am.  I quickly got ready and headed up to the Ogden Marriott's lobby to meet Smooth, Karen, Rachel and others.  We headed to the bus and laughed on the way to the start.

Hanging out at the Marriott Lobby

Still smiling....haven't started running yet

When we arrived at the start and got off the bus, I realized I didn't have enough warm clothes.  So I scooted right up by the fire and stayed warm.  The start staging area is located is a large field full of wet cow pies.  I'm grateful someone told me to bring grocery sacks to put over my shoes.

 I saw lots of familiar faces in the start staging area. 

Ragnar Teammates

Cousin Callie

Soon enough it was time to shed all the warm clothing and head to the start line.  My hip has been hurting for the past few days just like during the St George Marathon.  Weird....because this same ache hasn't happened during any training runs (just during the taper).  I need to figure this issue out.  I wasn't sure how it was going to respond during the race.

I brought my Sharpie marker to make sure I had something on my arm to look at when times got tough.  Thanks Saucony for a great slogan.

Here is a mile by mile recap:

Mile 1, 2, 3 (9:20, 9:09, 9:05):  Weaving through a lot of people and lots of excitement. I ran with Karen.  Tried to warm up....brrrrrr.  Walked thru the water stop at mile 3.

Mile 4, 5, 6 (8:38, 8:49, 8:55):  I felt so stiff and creaky.  My hip was really hurting and I had a hard time finding my rhythm.  The scenery was absolutely majestic.  There was a small valley and a large herd of horses came galloping through.  Everyone around me slowed down to watch.  Walked thru the water stop at mile 5. GU at mile 6.

Mile 7, 8, 9 (8:51, 8:55, 9:07):  I didn't look at my watch at all during the first half of the race.  I really wanted to run by feel.  Looking back, these splits were too fast.  No wonder I was feeling bad.  Water stops at mile 7 and 9.  I was really thinking I was going to have a SGM repeat.  It was going to be a long, slow, painful finish and no Tim to help me through.

Mile 10, 11, 12 (9:05, 9:17, 9:13):  I kept thinking in my mind that I was almost halfway...I at least had to make it halfway then bail if my hip got worse.  Walked thru the water stop at 11 and GU at 12 (this GU had 2xcaffiene.).  Hang on.

Mile 13, 14, 15 (9:18, 9:09, 9:35):  Potty stop at mile 13 and I thought I lost Karen (she had been running SO strong).  But I was able to catch up to her.  Water stops at 13, 14 and 15.  Mile 14 was a large hill.  We had driven it yesterday, so I knew what to expect.  There was some guy right beside me saying it wasn't smart to run hills hard.  I ran right past him and didn't want to listen to his stupid comments any more.  I lost Karen somewhere on the hill.  There was a water stop at the top of the hill and a lady was handing out Advil (she was an answer to my mid-race prayers).  I grabbed one and hoped it wouldn't upset my stomach and help my hip.  I felt SO strong at the top of that hill and it was the turn-around point in my race.  Maybe it was the caffienated GU and Advil kicking in, but I was ready to turn it up a notch.

Mile 16, 17, 18 (9:15, 9:03, 8:42):  I walked through all the water stops at 16,17,18 and took a 2xcaffiene GU at 17.  It was at mile 16 that I realized I only had 10 miles to go.  "Just like my mid-week long run" I told myself.  My favorite song came on my iPod and I realized I could do this.  I could run this marathon.  Maybe it just took me 16 miles to get warmed up?  I could pick up the speed and finish (maybe with my SGM time - 4:11).  I have never had a feeling of empowerment like that before.  I got tears on my eyes and that feeling of euphoria sunk in.  I found my STRONG!

Mile 19, 20, 21 (9:04, 8:55, 8:27):  I didn't care if I blew up, I wanted to go for it.  I felt fantastic.  Walked thru water stations at 20 and 21.  I looked at my watch at mile 20.  Then I realized that if I could just hang on, I thought I could break 4 hours.  WHAT?  I thought I might drop out 6 miles ago.  My hip was starting to redeem itself (compliments of some Advil).

Mile 22, 23, 24 (8:39, 8:27, 8:47):  I took another GU at mile 22 and was hoping I wouldn't vomit.  My stomach was starting to get funny.  There were more spectators and it was welcoming to see them.  My legs were starting to get heavy at mile 24.  I knew I just had to hang on for 2 more miles (versus the 7 mile "hang on" at SGM). 

Mile 25, 26 (8:58, 9:16, 3:15).  I was so close and knew I could do it.  I could conquer this BEAST!  My stomach was still funny from that last GU (probably too much caffeine) and my legs were getting tired.  The course was .2 long....WHO MAKES A MARATHON .2 LONG? 

Smooth was cheering me on as I was approaching  the finish chute.  It was SO wonderful to hear someone cheering MY name.  3:58:35 was my final time.  A 12 minute PR and negative splits.  I NEVER thought this morning when I toed the line that I would EVER break 4:00 hours.  It NEVER crossed my mind.  I didn't know I had it in me.

I crossed the finish line and got really dizzy.  Those finish line volunteers are angels.  I couldn't figure out how the lady knew my name (duh....it was on my number).  She walked with me for awhile, got me some water, and asked if I wanted to go to the medical tent.  I quickly declined and convinced her I felt fine.

Then I saw a big cooler full of Cokes.  Ohhhhh....it was the most divine Coke I've ever had.  I leaned up against one of the barriers for a few minutes to make sure I didn't puke or fall over.  As I went to grab a chocolate milk, I heard a loud "TOBY!!!!!"  Rachel had sought me out and fussed over my 12 minute PR.  I was SO proud of her amazing race and BQ!

SUCCESS!!!!

I couldn't stay long after the race as I had to get home for the girls' dance recital.  I gave Rachel one last congratulations hug and as I walked away, she yelled "TOBY, YOU FOUND YOUR STRONG TODAY".  I did.  It was hiding in Ogden.

As I drove home and reflected on the race, I couldn't believe I did it.  I broke 4 hours on my second marathon and I PR'd by 12 minutes.  The St George Marathon was a complete opposite experience than this morning.  My fastest today miles were 20-25.  I couldn't believe I felt so wonderful after having such a rough start.

I need to figure out my hip issues.  Maybe not taper as much so my hips don't go into "shock"?

My miles and miles and miles paid off.  My 4:30 morning runs, track and hill workouts, iTunes downloads, emotional breakdowns and etc were worth it!  The weather was perfect and the course was ideal (WAAAAAAAY better than SGM). 

Most of my runs/races are 75% "fair to partly cloudy".  The far and few "great" runs go a long way in the mind of a runner.  It was nice to have a good one today.

I will never forget May 19, 2012.   

It was EPIC.