so many things went wrong for me this race. Just hard to pinpoint one. I hope this report doesnt sound to negative...warning...I will try not to!
I was so excited to run this. For starters I have trained really well for this race. A few things went wrong with my training though. The main thing was (running in the dark with out my head lamp) I tripped over a stick and twisted my ankle. I rested it for a week, thinking I would be ok. Then went running on it again and rolled it (my ankle was still weak and not ready yet). So after the rolling, that sealed the deal. My ankle got soooo swollen. I couldn't put any weight on it for a few days. I thought I was through. After vigourous rest (is that an oxy moron or what!!)...but yes vigourous resting, icing, and more resting. It seemed to do better. A few wks later, I attempted runnig, with a brace and seemed fine. However, Always after each run I had to come home and re ice it.
Anyway, back to Ogden. An unstable ankle, a lack of running the last month or so, and a very very very hot day made anji a dull girl!
But that wasn't going to stop me. I was going to give it my all and listen to my body..I didnt want another injury that would put me out a year again....
Oh ya, another factor. I was going on a cruise after the marathon. I flew out a few hours after the race...yes the same day. My mind seemed to be elsewhere in the race. and also leading up to the race. With packing, shopping, getting everything ready for my parents to watch my kids and working extra shifts at work so I could go on the vacation seemed to exhaust me mentally and mayble slightly physically!
So, drove up thursday night with court, haley and jennifer. We stopped in Provo and had Waffle Love waffles....so yum!!! We then drove to my parents hourse in Brigham City. (Its approx 20-30 min North of Ogden). The next day my parents made us whole wheat pancakes!!!! Then my parents headed to SG so they could watch my kids while we went on our cruise---did I metion my parents are the best!!. Ryan was planning to fly out of Las Vegas saturday morning. After breakfast, we went to the EXPO in Ogden. I want to say we were there about an hour or so. We all got a few cute headbands. One I decided to wear in the race. Tiger Print...RRRRAAAARRRR!
After the Expo, we drove to SLC. The girls wanted to eat at Cheesecake Factory. I had never been, but was willing to try it. I reminded them it was 30 min south of Ogden. No biggie right! I had these little tacos and pizzas. Not usually my food choice before a race. I think this kinda backfired on me alittle. After dinner, we went to a few stores. Well actually alot of stores. Looking back after, I think this was a bad idea..my legs seemed very heavy on race day. I wish I would have rested them more!! We didnt finish shopping till 930pm. Then an hour drive back to Brigham city. we didnt get to bed till 1130pm, yikes! yes another mistake I think.
Race day. woke up at 3am. Got dressed. Ate oatmeal. Taped my ankle up good. Drove to Ogden. We encountered a train on the way there and we had to take a detour to get around it. When we got there it was 510am. The website, made it very clear if we werent there at 5am that the busses would leave. So we were all paniked. We practically sprinted to the buses. But we were fine. We stood around for another 20 min or so!
At the top, went potty a few times. Then the race started. The plan was we were going to do an 8-810 pace the first half the marthon. Then the down hill do whatever we wanted. Then gun went. After the first 4 miles of going an 740 pace. I knew I would be in trouble later, if I didnt slow down. Court and haley left. I fell back to a 810 pace. I felt good at this pace. I wasnt struggling, I do better if I save gas in my tank for the last half.
Mile 15 ish. Is the Hill. It seemed to be very very hot at this point. I felt like I was getting heat stroke. I stopped at the water station and poured cold water on me and drank. When I started running again someone flat tired me. My shoe came off...hahah. I had to stop and put it back on! lol
Mile 17ish. Down hill. At this point I was soooooooo excited for the downhill. In a way, I wasn't prepared for Ogden. I didnt really analize the elevation or anything. I just heard it was downhill and similar to SG....So I just assumed it was. Well It actually wasn't. First 15 miles are very flat and even gradual uphill. I think this messed with my psyche a bit, which I think was another huge factor in my bombing of the race. Alot of running a race is mental....as you can tell I wasn't in that mental place I needed to be today!
Mile 16 ish. I was feeling the effects of the heat. My quads were cramping. I had salt pills on me, but did I partake...NO....I seriously wasnt thinking very straight at this point. I think I wasnt prepared for the heat. Yes I live in SG. Where it is very hot. However, I have been running so early in the mornings when Its still cold and I have been wearing my warm clothes. So I think it was a bit of a shocker!!
Mile 18. My ankle started to feel wobbely. I tried to pay close attention and not make sudden movements while running. After a half mile or so of this. (and the combo of not mentally being prepared for the race, cruise stress, heavy legs and lack of sleep and heat and cramping---blahh blahh blahh lots of excuses i know. When i boils down to it mentally...I kinda just was done)
Last 8 miles I walked and ran. Everythime I saw a camera...of course I put up my best effort to run!!! hee hee
Was I disappointed in my decision....YES....but this is looking back 2 wks later, at the time it seemed like a great idea! HA
At the end of the race, I saw my old HighSchool Cross Country Coach. We talked. It was so good to see him. He was happy I was still running!!! I told him..."so am I"...I hope I can do this till I die. Even if my marathon time is 7+hrs!!!!
Court and Haley did alot better than me!...but said the Heat really affected their race...I think they were disappointed. I saw a few other friends from SG and some from las vegas. Everyone dissapointed in their race. I didnt feel so bad then. But I was sad for them too. Its so hard when you dedicate so much of your life and it seems to fall short.
I am remined of what My dad tells me....He use to be an amazing runner. Ran in college, etc. But he said that I shouldnt define my worth as a person or runner by my times! I am happy I can run and grateful I can! For me the best part, is the friendships I make with others while I run!!!!
There is always another race!
p.s. went on my crusie. Ate lots and enjoyed life!!!! An awesome part of my trip was our ship went to cozumel mexico. We rented scooters and drove around the island. I was serioosly shocked when the road designated for bikes and scooters only was infinatley nicer than the road for cars. On the drive we saw a sign that said. "Ironman athletes in training".....Soooo, there is an Ironman there. How cool is that!!! Im gonna put that one on my bucket list!!
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