Marathon #4 - Check

Top Of Utah Marathon

I don't think I ever mentioned this before, but I ran Top of Utah Marathon in 2002.   It was my second marathon ever.  Remember my first one?  St. George Marathon, the recap is here.  So way back then Top of Utah was my redemption race.  It was the race that solidified that I was a runner.  The race that made me love marathons, crazy enough.  My first race was such a bomb that I really had nowhere to go but up, but Top of Utah literally saved my running career.  If it would have been bad, then that could have been it.  But it was great!  I believe I shaved around 40 minutes off my first marathon on that 2002 race.

And with that, Top of Utah was once again my redemption this year from the ill-fated Park City Marathon just a month ago...I'm sure you remember all the fun from here.  There were no tears shed this day my friends.  I set a new PR!  4:14!  Holey Moley!  So exciting.  And take a look at this...

That's right - I had a Garmin for this race!  It was so fun.  Someone should have warned me though.  I should have done some extra bicep curls with this on to strengthen up my arm.  : )  One of my new running friends, Lisa, let me borrow it for the race.  I found myself checking it constantly but it was so nice to be informed.  And take a little closer look at the pic.  Check the mileage on the bottom left corner.  26.46 miles.  I covered almost an extra quarter of a mile.  I should get to take at least a couple minutes of my finish time, right?

Race day was perfect.  It was a cold start, I could see my breath.  Kept my long sleeved shirt on til about mile 13, but it was such comfortable running weather.  No wind, just beautiful, fall air.  The leaves have already begun to change in the canyon.  Such a gorgeous run.

About half way through my race I started chatting it up with a cute girl from Colorado.  We quickly discovered we had a ton in common, specifically, we both have 5 kids almost all the same ages.  This was her first marathon and she was kickin it out like a champ.  She shared with me her drive to do a marathon.  She had a brother that passed away a few years ago from Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS.  He had always wanted to do a marathon but never had the chance.  He passed away at 35 years young, leaving a wife and 4 children.  She's looking for a marathon that donates to the an ALS charity.  I told her I'd put the word out and hopefully if anyone knows of one they'll share it with me and I'll pass the info on!

We stayed just about the whole second half of the race together.  I knew I was slowing down around 21 miles, so I told her to go ahead and finish strong.  And she did!  A 4:10 finish for her first marathon- so awesome.

Luckily her sister found me at the finisher's area and we were able to exchange info so we could stay in touch.  Thanks for hangin' out with me through that second half of the race Melissa!

Also at the finisher's area I ran into John Bozung...You might remember him from here.

I never did get a chance to meet him after that marathon in July, but I saw him this weekend and had to go talk to him!  After all we did share a front page together.  This race was # 304 for him!  How crazy is that?  Two years ago he ran this same marathon and fell during the first two miles and broke his nose!  The paramedics wanted to take him to the hospital but he said, no way.  I'm not breaking my streak over a little road rash and broken nose.  So they taped him all up and followed him the rest of the race and he finished!  That is dedication my friends.  He's the nicest guy and told me to look out for him at all my other races - we're sure to bump into each other again.



On Friday, the day before the race, I got a call from the local paper in Logan.  They wanted to write a little article about the 12 in 12 I'm doing.  So we did a phone interview and then after the race the editor caught up with me to get my post-race thoughts.

What better place to finish up an interview than in front of a row of port-o-potties?  So I read the article today, and while it's a great article with tons of fun info, it turns out that I wasn't very eloquent in my comments.  And he recorded my answers and got me word for word, so I can't even blame it on the writer.  It seems I use a few words entirely way too much.  Super, kinda, and fun.  I must have said the word 'kinda' about 20 times during the interview.  Seriously.

It also appears that the writer believes I have a serious addiction that causes me to need a fix.  : )  I suppose I am becoming a marathon addict.  So far it's a healthy addiction, so not to worry...  I haven't been able to find the article online, but if I do I'll put it up so you may all scrutinize my limited vocabulary.  I need to start practicing my vocab words again from 10th grade English class.

About the hamstring...  It held up pretty well.  I actually didn't even notice it until mile 21.  And then I heard/felt a pop.  Shooting pain all the down through my calf and heel and all the way up to my glute.  Sharp pain.  I limped through for a little bit, trying to shift my weight to ease the pain.  I was on pace to hit 4 hours.  Totally in my grasp.  I slowed a bit, ate a shot block, ate a banana, drank some water and put my game face on.  I wasn't going down.  Even though I slowed to about 10:30 to 11:00 min/miles I made it to the finish line with my new PR.  I really was ecstatic about my 4:14 but just a tiny, tiny bit heartwrenched that I didn't hit that 4 hour mark.  At least I know I have it in me!  It'll come.  Just gotta get those stars aligned.   For now though, I'm gonna need a little more physical therapy to get this hammie recovered. 

Part II - This is mostly for my journaling sake but please feel free to read on if you have time...

My mom and sister joined me on this trip to Logan for my marathon.  Logan has a long history in our family.  My grandparents graduated and met each other at Utah State University.  My mom went to Utah State University.  And my husband and I attended and met each other there as well.  We love Logan, UT.  So many great memories there. 

After us girls had a post-race lunch at Texas Roadhouse, (mmmm, those rolls are so gooood!) we drove around town a bit.  We stopped at The Bluebird Restaurant, which was around when my grandparents went to college!  They would have their frat & sorority dinner/dances there.  They have the original old-fashioned soda fountain and candy counter still!

Outside of the restaurant is this really cool brick wall with paint wearing off.  We decided to have our own photo shoot.  Callie loved this brick wall so we took a gazillion pics by it...

After Tyra Banks said we were not America's Next Top Model we headed home, but first stopped to visit my cute grandpa.  He was happy to hear about my great marathon report and to hear about how his old stomping grounds had changed.

I told him he should sport this awesome marathon tee sometime this week!  He said it wasn't flashy enough for him. : )  My grandpa is 95 years old!  So amazing - I love him so much!  He's been one of my big supporters.  He always asks me, 'Did you win this one?'  So funny.  No chance I'll ever win one... : )

Here's my grandpa's dog, Layla.  If you look closely in the background, you can see that I'm completely passed out on the lounge chair.  Seriously Callie, you couldn't resist...  I had to get in some sleep before heading home to the kiddos!

All in all, I'd say a completely successful, wonderful and tiring day.  Top of Utah in the books.  Now, on to the next one...