Early in this training cycle I fought off some injuries with my knee and my back and a sinus infection. Luckily a couple of visits to the chiropractor and some antibiotics and my training was back on track.
For the last five or six weeks of my training I had to re-work my original training plan to accommodate more long runs. I’m really glad I was able to do that as I’m certain the number of 17, 18, and 20 mile runs this time around really helped me during the race.
So…the reason I chose this obscure little race in the middle of nowhere is because it was earlier in the Fall, it was on a dirt road, and it didn’t have an enormous field of runners. Last year it was really tough to maintain my training schedule as the hours at school increased so, I figured if I did the majority of my miles before school started I might be better off. I also liked the fact that this was a softer surface…I’m sure pounding out all those miles in Denver on the concrete and asphalt didn’t help the ligament in my left foot. And, the fact that the field is capped at 400 marathoners was very appealing. I tend to get caught up in the moment and when there’s a frenetic energy in the air – I get a little crazy.
On Friday, my friend Cindy (she ran the ½ Marathon) and I left from my house for the drive over to UT. It took us about three and a half hours to get to Price, UT. Price is the largest town in the area near the race. We got settled in to the hotel and decided to take a drive out to the race course.
Huntington is about 20 miles southwest of Price. The race took place in a Recreation Area in the Buckhorn Wash. Luckily the race director was out setting out the mile markers so we were able to follow the course very easily. I’m really glad we took the time to drive the course because I was able to see the 17 miles of flat and open road I would be running on Saturday morning! As we continued on the course Cindy and I took some time to take pictures of the petroglyphs that were right along the course. We knew we wouldn’t have a chance to do that during the race!
"Pre-Running" the course and a shot of the finish line.
After previewing the course we headed back to Price to pick up our packets at the dinosaur museum. There were a few people ahead of us in line, but since this was such a small race it didn’t take too long. When we gathered up our shirts and bags we decided it was time to forage for dinner. Price is a quirky little town. There aren’t many restaurants to choose from and the majority of the restaurants they do have there – they’re fast food. Ick.
We were able to find a restaurant in nearby Helper, UT call Groggs. They had the typical sandwiches, burgers, and some salads to choose from. I enjoyed a spinach salad with grilled chicken. Good and safe pre-race food.
The alarm went off at 4:00 Saturday morning. We both set about our business – eating oatmeal, pinning on bibs, drinking Gatorade, etc., etc.
We were on the road to Huntington around 5:00. The temperature on the car thermometer was already at 55 degrees. Not good…
Cindy and I - Pre-Race.
After parking we found the port-a-potties, checked out the other racers at the park, had a picture taken, and then hit the port-a-potties again.
Loading time for the marathon buses was 6:15. I hopped on and settled in for the ride up to the start. Got in line for the port-a-potties one last time at the starting line.
The race director gave us a few last minute instructions – the road is open, the Sherriff will be controlling traffic, and it’s the opening day of antelope season. What? Yeah, so if you hear gun shots – don’t worry. Okee dokee!
At 6:45 we were off for a lovely 26.2 mile run through the desert! The first 17 miles were extremely bland – flat open desert. The sun came over the horizon at around mile 5. I was definitely concerned with the heat as it was so warm at the start. When we drove the course on Friday the temp was over 90 degrees at 3:00 pm.
The beginning of the Canyon.
My goal pace was 9:10 but I had doubts so I decided to keep it around 9:30 for as long as I could. At mile 18 we finally turned in to the canyon. The few spots where the walls offered shade were a welcome relief!
As the last 9 miles meandered through the canyon we ran over some small rises. There were a few other runners who were holding around the same pace I was so we played the leap-frogging game at the aid stations, encouraged each other, and pushed each other.
I felt great through mile 22, but it seemed that the heat caught up with me there. I had done everything right up until that point – water through mile 19, fueled with Cliff’s Twisted Fruit at miles 10, 15, and 21 – but it just got too darn hot!
I finally passed the petroglyph wall at mile 22. It was a great distraction to consider the people who had used this land before me – it made me think of the stories they had to tell. I turned off my iPod (I had been listening to a history book about Teddy Roosevelt’s adventure down the River of Doubt in Brazil) and just tuned in to what was around me and what was within me. I thought of a lot of my friends and how they deal with all of the trials and tribulations that life brings to them. I realized that these last four miles were pretty insignificant in the big scheme of life. I might have a rough time getting through my four miles, but compared to others – I didn’t really have a lot to complain about.
Petroglyphs at Mile 22
I knew exactly what I was looking for during the last mile. I set my sites on an incredible rock formation and just kept going towards it.
I purposefully set my Garmin to NOT show accrued time. I knew what my average pace was for the 26.2 miles and I knew I did not hit my goal. As I crossed the finish line the race director announced my time as 4:21:53. I was crushed. That’s no where near where I thought I was. I figured I was between 4:10 and 4:15. After crossing I just lost it – a sobbing ‘boo-hoo’ kind of cry. That lasted for about 30 seconds. No use feeling sorry for myself right? There are other marathons.
Finish line area.
I was so happy with how good I felt throughout the race and after I crossed the line. I remember how miserable I was during Denver and was ecstatic that I didn’t relive that experience!
We loaded the bus back to the city park in Huntington for the post-race celebration and chow down. Unfortunately the lunch was something like Indian fry bread and chili. Absolutely the last thing I could imagine eating. I just stuck with water until I could find something more appropriate for recovery. As we hung out at the park the directors were announcing age group winners for the half-marathon. We decided to stick around for the marathon results too – just in case. With such a small field, you never know!
Would you believe that when they announced the 30-34 year old women that they announced my name as the second place winner! Amazing!!! That made it all worthwhile! I was like a little kid at a soccer team party – I didn’t want to take my medal off all day long!
Receiving my 2nd place AG medal!
We finally headed back to Price. I picked up Subway for lunch (double turkey with pepperjack on wheat!) and some ice for my ice bath. After relaxing and recovering for a few hours at the hotel we decided to grab some pizza and Coldstone for dinner (nom, nom, nom!). Did a little bit of walking around and eventually headed back to the hotel.
The only things missing from this great day was a win by the Buckeyes (what the heck!).
I can’t believe how great my body feels today – nothing is sore, broken, or torn!
I am so glad to have had this experience – the training built a lot of confidence for me in my running. It took a LOT of hard work to come back after the torn ligament last year. I know my body can handle more miles in training which makes me think that another marathon is possible before year’s end.
As I looked back at the data in my Garmin I realized that the course ran long and my start time wasn’t the same as the clock time. So…according to Garmin I ran the course in 4:15:20 – nearly a six minute difference. I’m going with Garmin! I also realized that my splits were much more even than they were at Denver – which was one of my goals. Yeah! I held a pretty steady pace through 22 miles unlike having the wheels fall off at mile 16. Training has definitely paid off this time around and I can’t wait to continue as I set my sights on Vegas on December 6. I think.
