I'll never do this again?

Last Friday night I drove up to Logan to meet up with Cortnie and Grandma Julia to run the Top of Utah (TOU) Half Marathon. Cortnie and I both decided just two weeks previous that we would indeed run this race. I had been running 3 miles every day or two and luckily I was in some shape. However, I have never had to learn to pace myself. I started running 6 miles and learned not to run my hardest and to start out slowly. I ran a 10 miler the Saturday before the race and knew I was in a bit over my head.

We woke up early Saturday morning and headed to the finishline where buses were shuttling folks up to the start near the hydro-electric plant up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. This race was really well organized, however, with over 2200 runners, it did take a little longer than anticipated to start the race.

My game plan was to start slow, and then taper off. Well, actually, it was to start slow and then try for a negative split. But when the race started I soon fo

und that riding the downhill slope with the wind behind me encouraged a quick pace. I was flying down the canyon and felt pretty darn good. The only thing I really had to judge the race on was the 5Ks that I run during the summers. As the mile markers kept coming I kept trying to put in perspective how much longer I had to run. “Let’s see I’m just over 3 miles into this, can I run what I just did 3 more times? Yeah, I think so. Ok, now I’m 4 miles into it, can I do that 2 more times? No, I better slow down.” Etc.

Matt, Dad, and Jack came up to support and they were there cheering I think around the 8 mile marker. Jack gave me a high-five and I busted it. After mile 8 I really started to hurt. My legs were solid, my back was tight, and I tried to loosen up. I kept pushing it, though, because I have never been able to take it easy in a race. I don’t even know how to take it easy in training. Anyway, Miles 1 – 7 were down out of the canyon and quite easy, miles 8-11 were fairly flat to downhill and meandered through nice, quiet neighborhoods. Mile 12 was uphill… ouch. Cortnie said she enjoyed the change, but man, I wanted to walk. I even thought, “I will never do this again. It hurts this bad and this is an easy route?”

The last mile+ was a gentle downhill to the finish. I started my “kick” a little early, but was able to hold on. I was quite surprised and excited to see the clock at 1:29:56 as I crossed. Knowing it was an easy course, my goal was 1:45. The chip time was actually a bit slower at 1:30:27, but hey that is still sub 7min miles and I am stoked.

Cortnie flew in, in the 1:40s and Grandma beat her goal of 3hrs. Grandma also won her age group of 70+ and received the trophy to huge applause. I won a Gerber tool in the raffle and made back my entry fee. Grandma & I hit up Macey’s for a nice twist icecream cone to get back some calories J

I met the Coopers from Durango up there. It was very nice to catch up a bit with them. I cannot believe how awesome they are. Jim, Chris, Jen, Hubby, & Shannon all ran, and they all + Shaun will be running the St. George Marathon. They rock.

My soreness has worn off for the most part and I’m back into running those quick little 5Ks and am ready to beat Beethoven here in a week. I did enjoy running a little bit further and may incorporate a 6 miler in my weekly training.

Thanks Grandma, for inviting me to run in my 2^nd half, and 1^st in 10 years. It was a blast, and it was fun hanging out before and after the race. Despite my doubts, I think I will run another half next summer, hopefully with the lovely Melody.