2017 St George Marathon Race Recap

2017 St George Marathon Recap

I ran the 2011 St George marathon as my very first marathon and had a horrible experience.  It was my first 26.2 mile distance, it was hot, and everyone said it was all downhill.  It took me 6 years to run it again.

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My summer training cycle leading up to the race was just ho-hum.  I ran all the miles, but no race specific workouts.  My heart wasn’t in it.  It was also a very hot summer.  So I had no real goals for this race other than just to survive.

I met Smooth, Lowell, and Rachel at the busses.  It was so fun to have friends and catch up.  The race started 15 minutes late and we were freezing.  I lined up at the start line with the 5:00 pacer.  I really wanted to start slow (maybe that was too slow).  I didn’t listen to any music for the first 7 miles.  

I took my first GU and salt pill at mile 7 (right before Veyo).  I forgot how big Veyo was!  But I kept my head down and tried to keep my breathing under control.  Then came Dameron Valley.  

I turned my music off for awhile and just enjoyed the beauty.  It was fun to listen to other people’s conversations.  The miles just clipped by and I was feeling good.  I was surprised by this.  At this point in Ogden, I was already to feel labored.

I was really consistent with my GU’s and salt pills.  I stopped all caffeine intake for 3 weeks prior to the race.  I saved my caffeinated GU’s till later in the race.  I also took some Advil at mile 18.  All of this nutrition planning worked so well.

By mile 16, I felt like I could really start to pick up the pace and not have the wheels fall off.  I hate the wheels falling off because the tears come and I hate running.  I just kept picking up my pace.  I stopped once for an icy/hot rub down and once for a potty break.  

At mile 20, there was a lady that I had been leap-frogging with.  She was walking through the aid station.  I came up behind and grabbed her arm.  I told her I had been following her and she had to keep moving.  We ran together for a few miles.  We talked a little, but it was just nice to have the company.  Eventually, I lost her at another aid station.

At mile 23 in 2011, Tim had just finished running a few mils with me.  He told me all I had left was a 5K.  NO BIG DEAL!  I literally thought I was going to die.  3 MORE MILES.  This year, I just got faster and faster.  I have never felt so good during a race.  I looked at my watched at saw 8:20’s.  I’ve never run that fast at a marathon finish.

It was so encouraging to see spectators.  I knew my family would be coming up soon and I couldn’t stop smiling.  I was so happy and felt so good.  Finally at the finish line, I saw my son and daughter holding up a big sign.  I gave them the pump fist and relished the moment.

I have never felt this good during a marathon.  I’m sure starting so slow didn’t help my time, but I the wheels didn’t come off.  The tears were replaced by smiles the entire way.  I call that a HUGE success.  And my time was pretty good considering my training.

TT:  4:01:17  AP:  9:10

9:47, 9:38, 9:02, 8:53, 8:52, 8:47, 8:43, 9:33, 9:33, 9:21, 9:28, 9:25, 9:03, 9:29, 8L52, 9:01, 8:58, 9:42, 9:56, 9:10, 8:55, 9:02, 9:45, 8:18, 8:40, 8:39, 2:36

Ogden Marathon 2017

"There is always joy after sorrow"

I signed up for the 2017 Ogden Marathon very quietly not knowing if I would be able to actually run it.  After I graduated from physical therapy for my hip scope and ACL reconstruction, my physical therapist told me that if I ever wanted to make it to a starting line of a race, I needed to only run three days a week.  I needed to let my body recover between each run.

This philosophy went against everything I had ever believed in regards to running.  But I knew I was essentially starting over with running and had nothing to lose.  I lifted weights and did physical therapy every day.  I did the step mill on the days I didn't run.  I finally lost all the surgery weight and my fitness was starting to improve.

I had a few hiccups along the way, but for the most part, I felt good.  I maxed out at 45 miles a week.  I ran a 12 - 11 - 22 mile runs.  But I had no idea how this would translate into running a marathon.

My goals for the race were as follows:

Goal A:  Run as hard as I can and be happy with the results.
Goal B.  Run a 4:10 marathon
Goal C (moon shot goal):  Run a 4:00 marathon

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Collette and I headed up to Ogden on Friday afternoon.  We ate at Slackwater Pizza and headed to the race expo.  We went to bed early, but hardly slept.



We took the buses to the start and headed to the staging area.  I started to see so many familiar faces;  probably 20 different friends.  It was such an added bonus to such a beautiful chilly morning.

It was finally time to head to the start.  I started just ahead of the 4:00 pacer, but was not committed to staying with her.  My pacer experience in the past has not been good.



I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of Huntsville and Eden.  But I could tell I was running too fast. I didn't look at my watch, but kept trying to slow down.

We ran by the "Here Comes the Sun" guy blasting his music and then around the corner came the beautiful pack of horses (mile 8).  I was still trying to keep my pace under control and my legs were starting to get a bit heavy.

I was grateful to finally get to the halfway point.  Legs still feeling a bit heavy, but I kept playing mental tricks -- make it to mile 12 -- make it to mile 14.

I did look at my watch at mile 13 and it said 1:55.  I was nervous that I had gone out too fast.

The hill at mile 14 came and went without any major problems.  I felt bad for the young kid waiting for the sag wagon back to the start at the aid station.  He was not well.  I passed Rachel, Becca and Janice.  It was so great to see friendly faces!  I love finishing the Pineview Reservoir stretch and dropping into the canyon.  It is so beautiful and I was grateful for the downhill.

I was feeling good (as good as you feel during a marathon) at mile 18 and visualizing my 8 mile route at home.  I kept trying to figure out my splits for mile 20.  HA!  My math skills are horrible while I'm running a marathon.  My IT Band was really starting to hurt.  It only flares up while I'm racing, never during training.  I kept thinking, "Time to grind.  Time to grind."

We finally hit the large overhead water canal, exited the canyon, and started on the paved trail.  The little up/downs on trail and brutal on tired legs.  I was getting weary and kept telling myself to make it to mile 24.  Then reassess.  Mile 24....mile 24...mile 24.

The wheels came off during mile 25.  I looked at my watch to see if I could still PR.  And then tried to work my fuzzy math skills to see what the slowest pace I needed to run to get a PR.  The tears started to swell and it was pure mental will power to run that last mile.  Every single body part hurt.

Mile 25/26 is down Grant Street and the finish line is at 25th street.  Those last 5 blocks were SO long.  It took every bit of will power not to cry.  Not to walk.

But finally the large finish arch appeared and the clock read 3:55:11 (AP: 8:56).  A 3 minute PR!!!!  I couldn't believe it.  I started to lose my balance and immediately had two volunteers grab my arms.  I guess it takes a second for my heart to slow down and my legs to stabilize.  The volunteers walked with me for a minute till I got my bearings straight.  I grabbed some water, a creamy popsicle and sat on the side of the road.  My body HURT!

I saw a few friends at the finish and we celebrated each other's success.  I didn't have a lot of time to spend at the finish line as I had to get to Georgia's dance recital.  But I also wanted to soak in 100's of hours spent rehabbing my poor broken body that just ran a PR marathon.

I hobbled back to the hotel to take a shower.  All the Gu's that I had taken during the race were revolting.  Weird muscles were spasming.  It required so much effort to take off my shoes.  I'm sure that sounds dramatic, but I had used every iota of energy that my body had.  I literally had nothing left.

I'm grateful for my training partners who constantly believed in me.  Who told me that I could things that never in my wildest dreams I really believed I could do.  They've seen me fall apart on the side of trails.  And have witnessed my mental breakdowns.  Yet, they are still my dear friends.

I'm grateful for my physical therapist, massage therapist and chiropractors who kept my poor body working.  I'm most grateful for my family.  They listen to my recap of running podcasts, articles, training plans, and put up with my frequent naps.  

I still have a lot of work to do with the marathon distance.  But at least I'm moving in the right direction.  It's time recover and let my body heal.  Way to go 38 year old body.  Way to go!

February 2017

Lots of treadmill miles with friends at the gym.

And at home.

Our annual Valentine's Day heart attack.

I taught a sharing time on choosing the right.  I told the conversion story of my grandmother Elizabeth.  I had to look the part with my granny hair, granny glasses and pearls.

Skiing at Snowbird.

Homemade pizza rolls.

Annie's boyfriend came to see her.  3 year old Gavin lives next door.

I've been taking a TRX class with Kelli and Heidi.

Carter and I found the massage chairs at the mall while we waited for the girls to shop.

We went to see the Lego Batman movie!

January 2017

We volunteered to bring two different families dinner on the same night (plus feed our own family).  So I had to get out the big "soup kitchen pot".  Chicken noodle soup for all!

Carter asked for a Dad/Carter overnight ski trip to Snowbird.  So while they were gone, the girls and I went out to eat dinner at Chilis.

Lots of running on the treadmill because of the extremes cold and snow.  Watching the US Olympic trials in the women's marathon.  Go Kara!

The girls received gift certificates for pedicures for Christmas.

Carter and Tim skiing on a solo trip together!

Tim and Annie on a solo ski trip together.

Tim and Georgia on a solo ski trip together at Snowbird.

We babysat our two nieces for a few days while their parents were gone.  On Sunday night, we had cupcake wars.  Very yummy and very messy!

Tim and Abby on a solo ski trip working on her turns!

A Sunday evening full of Mexican train dominoes and sewing for Days for Girls.

I really like pop tarts.  It is such a gross treat, but nonetheless, I love them.  I tried to make homemade pop tarts and they definitely are NOT as good.

December 2016

The young women and young men went to Music and the Spoken Word at the Conference Center.

Georgia at the Christmas Sing at school.

Tim and Carter were invited to the Jazz game by the Rasbands.

Skiing at Deer Valley

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day morning before presents.

All Georgia wanted for Christmas was a snowman kit and snow.  She got both!

Found a picture of my grandpa Dick.

The nativity at Grandma Barlow's.

Chris, Mason, Tim and Carter skiing.

All the Barlow girls playing at Classic Skating during Christmas break.

Christmas piñata at Grandma Barlows.

First ski of the season at Snowbird.

 Festival of Trees for Fun Family Friday.  I think they mostly like the treats!

"No Shave November" came to an end.  Tim wore the mustache to work and everyone loved it!

 Braces day for Abby!

The primary was in charge of the ward Christmas party. The Activity Day girls were charge of the service project.  We collected 215 activity bags for the Utah Children's Justice Center.  I got to deliver them to the center.  It was a very humbling experience.

Georgia was invited to see her friend June dance in the Nutcracker with Taycee and Hope.  They are all in the same 3rd grade class.

Enjoying Christmas sugar cookies.

Carter had a jr high choir concert.

Ward Christmas party.

Cupcake wars with the young women!

Tim and I went to the Lower Lights Christmas Concert!

Carter had to cook several meals for a scouting merit badge.  Good job cooking tacos Carter!

 Annie and Abby had their jr high dance recital.

I really love it when we get to have dinner all together.  On this particular evening, it was very cold outside and we had the fire place on.  It is all a mother can hope for to have her kids gathered around her table.