Ogden Marathon 2013 Bounced check or my legs couldn't fulfill what my mind wanted. I had been feeling very positive about this race in the weeks preceding. My race schedule had been pretty full before this but I didn't think it was too much. The previous week the Ogden marathon personnel had sent an email stating that they expected it to be around 80 degrees. Well I had been watching the weather almost hourly from Monday. I was prepared, clothing wise, for whatever the weather would be. I went and had a massage on my legs early Friday morning. I then drove up and visited my Aunt and Uncle. The Expo was a bit of a disappointment, especially after the huge one at Boston. I was fortunate to be able to be able to spend Friday night up at Wolf Mountain with a friend his sister and some of her running friends. I actually slept really well. I woke up just before 4 and had some breakfast. I went back to sleep for almost an hour before we all got up and ready. We rode over to the American Legion where the buses picked us up. As usual up at the start area, a cow pasture, it was a muddy mess. It was a good thing I was prepared with all kinds of bags and things to keep dry. It looked like the rain would stop and many people took off their rain gear. I could see a big black cloud down over the dam. I decided to keep my rain jacket on. It was a good thing as the rain picked up and never let up the whole race. Before the start I was fortunate to see Paul Fulton, Bill Hiatt, Tristram Jones, James Clissold, and others. At the start a group of about 15 or so took off fast. I went out a little faster than I had scheduled too. I throttled back after the initial ½ mile. In the narrow winding canyon the lead group disappeared pretty quickly. I saw a guy with a “Y” jersey up ahead. He became my first target. I caught him at around mile 2. I told him to hang with me. We ran together through about mile 6. He said the pace was a bit too fast for him and he dropped back. From there on it was a lonely slog. There were puddles several inches deep. In some places there were small rivers a yard or more across and ½ inch deep running over the road The rain and cold started to take its toll around mile 10. The hill just passed the half was more difficult than usual. My shoes ware wet and heavy and my feet just wouldn't move fast. I had taken a gel at mile 8, I tried to take another one at around 16. I am not sure what it was but I just couldn't get it down. From here to the finish I made sure I took the Gatorade at every aid station. As I approached the dam I could see 2 guys out front. I set my goal to get to them. When I got over the dam and headed down the steep part, I felt like I really picked up the pace, but looking at the data it really wasn't that fast. I saw my cousin Kathy, who was doing the half with her daughter, somewhere around mile 20. I see them every year and look forward to saying HI as I run past. I tried and tried to reel in the 2 guys out front. I really hit the wall at 24. My legs just felt as if they were always on the edge of locking up with cramping. I saw this tall guy out front and set my sights on getting him. Trent Jensen came motoring by right around the start of mile 25. The 2 lead women came past just as I got onto the long finish straight away. From 24 through 25.5 I slowly reeled in the tall guy. The last half mile was a back and forth with the tall guy. About 50 yards from the finish some your guy just blows past both of us. 10 yards from the finish we both do our best imitation of a sprint. I think I must have looked more like a stiff, bow legged cowboy waddling along. He beat me by 1 second. As I crossed the finish line I tripped on the second timing bump and went down to all fours. I kind of rested there for I don’t know how long. When I opened my eyes and lifted my head there was a wheelchair right next to me. They kept asking if I was OK. I finally told them to just help me stand up. Once I was up they wanted me to go to the medical tent. I kind of pulled away from them and said “I just need to keep walking”. I walked forward and then saw my Mom on the side. I then proceeded on into the runner’s area and over to see my Mom and Dad. The rain was still coming down and so they just said Hi and then left. I don’t blame them at all. I finally wandered over to get my drop bag. Here I found Trent and eventually Tristram. We stood there shivering uncontrollably as we waited and waited. After a few minutes I finally put one arm around Tristram and the other around Trent and we just huddled together to share whatever warmth we had. Only a fellow runner would understand how 3 guys in shorts and singlets could be comfortable hugging each other in such a manner. It took about 20 minutes or more for us to get our bags. Once I had mine I went and found a porta-john and went in to change into dry clothing. This was quite a feat in such a small confined space. I did feel much better though once I was out of the soaked running clothes. I then went over and found the yellow pop-up where I figured we would meet. I saw Jonathan Tracy from R.C. there. I also talked to Steve Turley for a minute. Then the person who was our group driver showed up. He said that he was parked only about a block away. I was still cold and miserable so I didn't care about hanging out for results or awards. I walked over to the van and retrieved all my stuff. Of course I packed a lot, “Be Prepared’ and all. I then had to walk over ½ mile to get to my car. Man those bags felt heavy, and it was still raining! I decided I should go out to Uncle Myron and Aunt Carols and get dry and warm. It was good that they were home and graciously allowed me to get changed into completely dry clothes and warm up for a bit. By the time I left there place my stomach was finally feeling like it could accept something. So before I got on the freeway I pulled over and drank my chocolate milk. It felt just right. I cranked up the heater and headed for home. In American Fork I pulled off and stopped ant the In-and-Out. I ordered and consumed a double-double burger and fries. It was just right. I felt like just taking a nap right there. No time for that though so off I went for home. Just enough time to get cleaned up and make a healthy dinner before heading over to the Scout fundraiser dinner. We were there past 9 pm. Sunday morning I slept through my alarm and missed an hour of Bishopric meeting. I made it through Sacrament meeting without falling asleep. During the second hour I drove home and made a quick healthy lunch. I really needed it for recovery. After the block we headed over to the Roundy’s for their Mother’s day dinner. I did my part and made a great salad. I then went and sat on the couch to wait for everyone else to show up. I fell asleep and missed the whole dinner and all. At 5:45 we headed home to prepare for the ward walk-about. Ours was one of the stops. It was nice to have neighbors stop by and enjoy a little conversation and such. I think I finally got to bed around 9:30pm. So Saturday was a 17 hour day and then Sunday was a 14 hour day. What a weekend. Monday they finally posted the official results. I now feel better about my results. I ended up 14th overall and 2nd in Masters. I think I will win something for this as I did last year. I hope it is good again. To quote Trent Jensen “I just really need to figure out how to run the last 3 miles”. A big thank you to all for their support and help. Now I am looking forward 2 weeks to the Squaw Peak 50 miler. My goal is to finally go under 10 hours! I think I will take a break for a few weeks after that.
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