Keeping myself sane!!!

SOJO Marathon

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Location:

SLC,Ut,USA

Member Since:

Jul 31, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

It was an evening in November 2005 that I'll never forget...I was nearing the end of a long term relationship when I needed to unleash some pent-up anger.  I was driving past a baseball park near my house, when something told me to park my car, and just RUN!!  It wasn't long before I moved on with my life and continued running for new reasons.  I now run because I am truly obsessed!  It is a way of life, and I feel incomplete without my weekly runs.  I have completed 28 half marathons, 78 marathons, 7 ultramarathons, and a few other distance runs.

Pr's:

5k:  18:37 Willow Canyon Fun Run  2010

10k:   39:26 Salt Lake Track Club Winter Series 2012

10 Miles:  1:02:15 Emigration 10 Miler 2014

Half Marathon:  1:22:01 Provo Canyon Half  2011

Marathon:  2:56:52  2017 Utah Valley Marathon

50 Miles:  9:22:03 Antelope Island Buffalo Run 2011

100 Miles: 30:40:28 Wasatch 100 2013

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston

Run 100 mile ultramarathon

Sub 3 hour marathon

Beat my old pr's

Long-Term Running Goals:

A marathon in each state, a few ultramarathons....

Personal:

I have a wonderful wife, Melissa, who does not understand why I would want to punish my body with running marathons, but she is very supportive.  She patiently awaits my arrival at the finish line of most of them.  I slipped on a shirt at the last mile of the Ogden Marathon in 2008, that asked: "Melissa, will you Marry Me?"  It was a wonderful moment!
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Sat, Oct 19, 2013
Race: SOJO Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:16:23, Place overall: 19, Place in age division: 1

In this event, my legs told me it’s time to end the racing season.  I knew very early on it would be a tough one and I’d have to slog it out to the finish.  I in no way felt fresh, and began to struggle by the half.  Things really turned ugly from mile 17 on.  My energy levels remained intact while the feeling of running on bloody stumps increased.

My daily runs leading up to this race were a good indicator of how things would play out.  I’ve had some really lousy running lately.   I kept telling myself to take things easy, not worry about pacing, and just to get some maintenance mileage in.   Being on the verge of injury has been frustrating as my desire to run has been unfaltering, while my legs have continued to feel trashed.  Taking extra days off, doing easy runs and even just walks on the treadmill had appeared to be helping, but I suppose a season of multiple road marathons and a couple ultras has taken its toll.

I have really enjoyed racing this year.  I may not be in my prime now, but I had tons of fun, set some new pr’s, met many great people, and experienced a ton of beautiful race settings.  With all of this in mind, I have no regrets on how I spent my year running. 

The race wasn’t all doom and gloom, as there were moments I enjoyed being in the moment.  The weather was perfect, (other than a few minor winds here and there) and I was running in a marathon for free.   Surprisingly enough, I placed in my age group for the third year, so it looks like I’ll be back next year for another free entry.  It will be an opportunity to redeem myself for this year’s lackluster performance.

I’m looking forward to recovering, getting my legs back and running for the next few months without the pressure of racing performances.  Sometimes training runs are the most enjoyable ones of all.

My Garmin recorded a final time of 3:18:16, yet the timing company came up with a time of 3:16:23.  I don’t know how this discrepancy occurred.  Here are my splits.   I’m not particularly proud of them, but here they are:

  1. 6:51       
  2. 6:44
  3. 6:55
  4. 7:19
  5. 7:21
  6. 8:30
  7. 7:24
  8. 6:51
  9. 7:02
  10. 7:00
  11. 7:06
  12. 7:14
  13. 7:08
  14. 7:16
  15. 7:29
  16. 7:14
  17. 7:57
  18. 7:43
  19. 7:36
  20. 7:55
  21. 7:57
  22. 7:49
  23. 8:23
  24. 8:05
  25. 8:56
  26. 8:36
  27. (.20, read .24, 1:57, 8:16/mi.)  

Comments
From josse on Sun, Oct 20, 2013 at 15:15:45 from 70.196.193.45

Well sir you have defiantly done a whole lot this year, I was signed up for this marathon but opted out because my legs are done this year with marathons. Hats off to you, you have ran some great marathons this year and a 100 miler (crazy). Next year I think you should cut down on the marathons and break 3 hours with me:) you would have done it at SG but I think you where being to nice and talking to that guy, next time stick some headphones in so you can focus on your race:) although you looked like you where having a good time talking about your ultra races.

From TBean on Sun, Oct 20, 2013 at 18:26:17 from 97.117.82.1

Not a bad finish to the year! Hey, when it's free it's always a great to be able to participate in a marathon. Good luck next year.

From allie on Mon, Oct 21, 2013 at 08:24:59 from 97.117.83.140

you have had quite the year! lots of impressive performances -- including this one -- which is a solid time considering everything you have already put your body through this year. i'm glad you are taking some time to recover and recharge.

big congrats on a great year of racing.

From Mikal Epperson on Mon, Oct 21, 2013 at 21:32:10 from 67.172.247.190

josse:

It sounds like you played it smarter than I with calling it good for the year! You're totally correct that I should cut down on marathons and put my focus into breaking 3 hours. It would be quality of racing, not quantity! It really surprised me at St. George to have this other runner want to run most of it at the pace of someone he'd just met. I told him to run his own race, and to not let me hold him back. He insisted on running it in together (At least until mile 20, where he let go of the reigns and surged ahead)

You were so darn close to meeting your goal, and I'm confident you will conquer it next year!

Teri:

Thank you for the kind words. I would have liked to feel better at SOJO, but that was the price I paid!

Allie:

Thank you too for the kind words! If anything, I bow down to you with all that you've accomplished! You are knocking on the wall of an OTQ!! That is nothing short of phenominal, and I really enjoy seeing your shining moments! You are an inspiration of what can be achieved when having the right combination of focus, determination, discipline, and sheer talent.

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