It’s fall here in Salt Lake, my favorite time of the year (as I write it’s actually snowing). I love seeing the array of colors, each signifying a step in nature’s impending hibernation. The spectacle is something I look forward to each year, not only because it signifies the close of the current year, but because it brings me closer to the next. The beauty is serene, the air crisp and cool, and the atmosphere, tranquil.
I think I enjoy the season so much because of what it signifies: Change. Change has been the theme of my life over the course of the last year. Really though, it’s a natural tendency of thought with all the changes surrounding me – thoughts that I no longer shy away from – but embrace with open arms. I’ve gone from a lowly, depressed individual with lack of focus or motivation, to a being full of life, feeling as though I have something to offer the world. From that guy on the couch, to that guy who’s always out there running. Change has made a significant impact on my life!
I’m not gonna lie, the first two weeks following the marathon were quite unfocused for me. I felt the self-satisfaction of completing a goal, but didn’t have a new focus. I was tending toward my old ways. I noticed I was sleeping a little longer, wasting a little more time, and finding myself being bored more often. It wasn’t fulfilling. So what’s the cure? Run. Get back out there with a purpose and just run. So that’s what I’ve been doing. The thing I loved about training for the marathon was the feeling of working towards something, and getting in shape in the process. I had a purpose and a goal to work towards. But for me, a marathon didn’t really push me. It was definitely a stretch to find the time and the will. I trained diligently, but never at any point did I feel like I was giving everything I had in me. There were a select few times when I noticed some self-doubt creeping in. Not once though, did I get to a point when I felt like my body would not respond or my mind would not overcome the obstacle.
I know I’m probably just asking for it with these types of admissions, but I’d like to really test myself. With a marathon under my belt, I can now focus on something to test me further. So rather than bore myself with running a faster marathon (which I’m sure I’ll go after at some point), I’ve decided to venture into the world of the ultramarathon. It’s something I’ve become obsessed with - reading about the adventures of others almost daily - but something with which I have zero experience. It will afford me the opportunity to be out there in nature more often – where I truly love being – rather than pounding out all the miles on pavement. Since I first heard about it many years ago, it’s something that’s always intrigued me, but wasn’t something I ever thought I could do.
So, with 5 months to train and what appears to be a long winter in front of me (I hate the cold!), a 50 miler sounds like a good test for this boy. Hey, what better way to kick off the first year in my thirties!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
2009 St. George Marathon
Now that I’ve had a week to digest the events of the marathon weekend, I thought I’d give a quick report of what happened. So here we go…
After a seemingly quick drive, we arrive in St. George. We get to the hotel and check in, hit the grocery store to grab a few quick weekend necessities, and head out for a bite to eat before hitting the expo. The expo is a mad house... Hundreds of people waiting in line for their race info and numbers, and retailers offering all the last minute goodies for everyone. Luckily, we came well-prepared to avoid that mess.
The remainder of the evening is a blur. At this point I still haven't decided which shoes I'm wearing (the old ones with 600 miles on 'em, or the new ones with less than 40 miles?). I remember setting out my gear, trying to read a book with no focus whatsoever, then trying to fall sleep. I probably got 3 good hours of sleep with a couple more restless hours mixed in there too.
The alarm goes off at 3:30. I'm basically awake already, just holding out ‘til the watch goes off. Get up, shower, get dressed, eat the morning peanut butter on toast and get ready to head out the door. I'm still agonizing about shoe selection, but I end up going with the new ones. After the long bus ride out to the start, we arrive to a 40 degree morning in the desert and an hour and a half to kill before the gun goes off. Luckily, there are some bonfires going to keep us warm.
The next 90 minutes are spent in almost a trance. I don’t remember what was being said, don’t remember being cold, and certainly don’t remember how I was feeling. My focus was just so intense that I basically blocked everything else out and was lost in the flicker of the fire. Suddenly, everyone starts peeling off their outer layers. I put mine in my bag, walk up to the truck and throw it in the bed. Before I knew it, they announce that the wheelchairs were off. At this point I’m power walking to get back to my dad and sister to say goodbye. I meet them, my dad tells me good luck, and points to the starting line since the race has begun. The long line is now shifting to the start line.
Suddenly, I’m jogging. Luckily, I’m fairly close to the 3:30 pacer (although I never see them) so I figured I was ok to be boxed in for a bit. Before I know it, we pass Mile 1… 7:59. Then another mile clicks off, and another. Finally I have some breathing room and I decide to get clear of a few of these people around me. The next mile clicks off… 6:59. Whoa, ease up there buddy! It still hasn't really registered at this point that I'm running. What is goin' on?
Before I know it I’m at Veyo and staring at the uphill climb. The hill is dreaded by many, but my training put me in front of beasts much more looming than this little guy. So I power my way up, passing people left and right. At the top my body finally tells my mind that I’m running (for the first time in the race) and I ease back into my stride.
Right around Mile 10, the sun starts peaking up over the mountains. I’m locked into a gear and my iPod is setting the tone for the luminescent scenery that’s unfolding. Have you ever had that perfect song come on, at the perfect time, in the perfect setting? That’s what happens here. I can’t describe it, but I’m flooded with emotions. The next 2 miles pass as though I merely blinked and had arrived.
At Mile 12 I start to question myself. Can I really make it another 14 miles? How will my body hold up on these questionable shoes? Can I really run the whole 26.2? Am I going to hit the wall? How much will I have to suffer to get to the finish? Eventually I get a hold of myself, and continue until I hit the half way mark. I pass it as the course clock reads 1:45:00 exactly.
The next 11 miles or so are pretty uneventful. I’m enjoying myself and trying to keep a smile on my face as I push along. I start taking gels, drinking the highly concentrated Gatorade to replenish salts, push through stiff hamstrings, and work through a slight foot issue. The downhills from Mile 20 on are good to me - thanks to diligent training in the mountains - and I feel great upon arrival into the city. Crowds are starting to get larger and I eventually decide to ditch the headphones to savor the moment.
The last 1.2 miles is the longest 1.2 miles I’ve run to date. Guess it makes up for the relatively quick 25 miles that preceded it! I start thinking about the finish, about when I’ll see my wife and my family, and just the thought alone nearly brings me to tears. Eventually, I make it to where they’re standing and I can’t force myself to look at them.
I give them two raised arms and a quick sprint to the finish… And I’m done! 3:25:12 is my official time, accomplishing my goal of a 3:30 finish. If you count the 2 minutes 12 seconds it took me to get to the line, I actually ended up running a negative split by 12 seconds or so. Not bad! I actually felt like I had something in the tank at the end too. That’s definitely some motivation to push me to higher goals.
The race itself was amazing! After putting this on for 30+ years, they’ve definitely got it down. The volunteers were awesome. My wife was a major key to my success and I thank her for her undying support! Thanks to my family, and especially to my dad for encouraging me to do this, and my sister who pushed on when the going got tough. You are both an inspiration to me!
I couldn’t have been more pleased with the way things worked out. Hindsight is always 20/20, but there are very few things I would’ve changed. Nothing major, that’s for sure. For now, it’s back to running. I’m looking forward to the next challenge that presents itself!
After a seemingly quick drive, we arrive in St. George. We get to the hotel and check in, hit the grocery store to grab a few quick weekend necessities, and head out for a bite to eat before hitting the expo. The expo is a mad house... Hundreds of people waiting in line for their race info and numbers, and retailers offering all the last minute goodies for everyone. Luckily, we came well-prepared to avoid that mess.
The remainder of the evening is a blur. At this point I still haven't decided which shoes I'm wearing (the old ones with 600 miles on 'em, or the new ones with less than 40 miles?). I remember setting out my gear, trying to read a book with no focus whatsoever, then trying to fall sleep. I probably got 3 good hours of sleep with a couple more restless hours mixed in there too.
The alarm goes off at 3:30. I'm basically awake already, just holding out ‘til the watch goes off. Get up, shower, get dressed, eat the morning peanut butter on toast and get ready to head out the door. I'm still agonizing about shoe selection, but I end up going with the new ones. After the long bus ride out to the start, we arrive to a 40 degree morning in the desert and an hour and a half to kill before the gun goes off. Luckily, there are some bonfires going to keep us warm.
The next 90 minutes are spent in almost a trance. I don’t remember what was being said, don’t remember being cold, and certainly don’t remember how I was feeling. My focus was just so intense that I basically blocked everything else out and was lost in the flicker of the fire. Suddenly, everyone starts peeling off their outer layers. I put mine in my bag, walk up to the truck and throw it in the bed. Before I knew it, they announce that the wheelchairs were off. At this point I’m power walking to get back to my dad and sister to say goodbye. I meet them, my dad tells me good luck, and points to the starting line since the race has begun. The long line is now shifting to the start line.
Suddenly, I’m jogging. Luckily, I’m fairly close to the 3:30 pacer (although I never see them) so I figured I was ok to be boxed in for a bit. Before I know it, we pass Mile 1… 7:59. Then another mile clicks off, and another. Finally I have some breathing room and I decide to get clear of a few of these people around me. The next mile clicks off… 6:59. Whoa, ease up there buddy! It still hasn't really registered at this point that I'm running. What is goin' on?
Before I know it I’m at Veyo and staring at the uphill climb. The hill is dreaded by many, but my training put me in front of beasts much more looming than this little guy. So I power my way up, passing people left and right. At the top my body finally tells my mind that I’m running (for the first time in the race) and I ease back into my stride.
Right around Mile 10, the sun starts peaking up over the mountains. I’m locked into a gear and my iPod is setting the tone for the luminescent scenery that’s unfolding. Have you ever had that perfect song come on, at the perfect time, in the perfect setting? That’s what happens here. I can’t describe it, but I’m flooded with emotions. The next 2 miles pass as though I merely blinked and had arrived.
At Mile 12 I start to question myself. Can I really make it another 14 miles? How will my body hold up on these questionable shoes? Can I really run the whole 26.2? Am I going to hit the wall? How much will I have to suffer to get to the finish? Eventually I get a hold of myself, and continue until I hit the half way mark. I pass it as the course clock reads 1:45:00 exactly.
The next 11 miles or so are pretty uneventful. I’m enjoying myself and trying to keep a smile on my face as I push along. I start taking gels, drinking the highly concentrated Gatorade to replenish salts, push through stiff hamstrings, and work through a slight foot issue. The downhills from Mile 20 on are good to me - thanks to diligent training in the mountains - and I feel great upon arrival into the city. Crowds are starting to get larger and I eventually decide to ditch the headphones to savor the moment.
The last 1.2 miles is the longest 1.2 miles I’ve run to date. Guess it makes up for the relatively quick 25 miles that preceded it! I start thinking about the finish, about when I’ll see my wife and my family, and just the thought alone nearly brings me to tears. Eventually, I make it to where they’re standing and I can’t force myself to look at them.
I give them two raised arms and a quick sprint to the finish… And I’m done! 3:25:12 is my official time, accomplishing my goal of a 3:30 finish. If you count the 2 minutes 12 seconds it took me to get to the line, I actually ended up running a negative split by 12 seconds or so. Not bad! I actually felt like I had something in the tank at the end too. That’s definitely some motivation to push me to higher goals.The race itself was amazing! After putting this on for 30+ years, they’ve definitely got it down. The volunteers were awesome. My wife was a major key to my success and I thank her for her undying support! Thanks to my family, and especially to my dad for encouraging me to do this, and my sister who pushed on when the going got tough. You are both an inspiration to me!
I couldn’t have been more pleased with the way things worked out. Hindsight is always 20/20, but there are very few things I would’ve changed. Nothing major, that’s for sure. For now, it’s back to running. I’m looking forward to the next challenge that presents itself!
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