We got a room at the Colony Inn right next to the mall. I knew Dale was staying across the street at the La Quinta (definitely a nicer hotel) -- gave him a call, and planned to walk to the buses at 3:20.
Met up with Dale, as planned and walked to the first bus. Met Tom Slick, Huans32, Maynard, BeMo, then rode to the top. We were the first group to the "holding area" -- had no POP lines, and were able to circle around one of the fire pits. At about 5:00 we started herding up the hill toward the bright lights of the starting lines -- where there were a few POPs. I headed back to the original holding area, where I ran into Gumpchump, who was waiting for Smooth. (I never saw Smooth until the afterparty at Cougar's).
The race started about 10-15 minutes late. I started out running with Canyon, who carried the conversation for the first few miles. At mile 5, I had to make a little pitstop where I shared a private moment with Huans off the side of the road behind the POP.
I totally missed seeing Aleeesa and her hubby, Rex at the mile 5 aid station...but I looked for them.I soon caught up the Canyon, who was running with Gumpchump. At this point, it was a steep downhill section, so I just ran my own pace..I knew they would probably both pass me later on.
I had absolutely no expectations for this race. It was to be my first run over 20 miles since Boston in April. My training has been pathetic...and if I had any real excuse for NOT running, I probably would have sat this one out.
The last 6 miles along University Ave were brutal for me. I kept yo-yoing. At first I decided to walk through each aid station (which were 2 miles apart), then I decided once every mile, then that plan changed to walking whenever I felt like it. It was in this section that Teena cruised past me, followed shortly by Tom Slick. I would have like to run in with them, but it just wasn't happening. I fully expected a few more flyers to go by in the last few miles. I finished in a 3:37 -- as I crossed the finish line I saw my 2 boys and wife, Beth handing out finishing medals. My youngest boy, Christian, put my finisher's medal around my neck. That was cool. I saw Kristi (Mrs Fit) handing out medals, too!
Overall, this was a very well-run marathon, and what would have been a fast course, had I prepared properly. The weather was idea -- with a steady drizzle for most of the race, and a tail wind for much of it.
By the time my family finished with their volunteer work, and we packed the car, we arrived at Cougar's afterparty a bit late. Just in time to see Smooth and Mr. Smooth for a second or two before they left. I finally got to meet Cougar, Apax, MeterMaid, BDZ, McFrosty, and their lovely families. Thanks, Cougar for opening your home to us...it was fun to meet so many of the forumites.
Marathons are not easy. Sometimes it's hard to remember this fact when you're on a blog with so many multi-marathon runners, who seem to run a marathon on a whim, at any moment. This was my 19th full marathon in just over 4 years...but, for whatever reasons I did not train much at all for this one, and it definitely diminished the enjoyment. I'll definitely train harder for the next one!
I'm happy to have run this beautiful marathon and to have seen so many of my Utah friends. I'm so proud of my wife and boys for spending half a day to help at the finish line, and experience they won't soon forget!