26.2 finished. I guess I need some new goals now. :-) I have always wanted to run a marathon, but never really gave it much serious thought until I joined this blog 4 months ago. When I joined the blog my goals were to run a 1/2 marathon, and eventually one day do a full as well. I never would have imagined that 4 months later I would have completed both of these goals. I know that my training has not been the best, and with my recent ITB pain I was just hoping to finish. It was an amazing experience.
Now for the race report.
The start of the race is the exact same as the Provo River half, and it runs the same course out of the canyon. We boarded the bus at Utah Lake State park and then drove up the canyon. It was really cold up there, and I was glad that they started the race right away, although I was next in line at the port-o-pottie when they announced one minute to start. I quickly used the bathroom, and threw my clothes into a sack to load into the back of a truck. The quick start was nice because I didn't have time to get nervous.
I was running with my friends Michael and Amy and we all quickly made our way over to the starting line, and within 30 seconds the race started. We started off with a pretty good pace, but we were not going as fast as I did on the half. There wasn't as much adrenaline this time. I'm not sure if it was because there was not as many people or what, but I was dragging just a bit, and it was COLD. After about 2 miles I was warmed up, but my knee was already starting to hurt some because of the steep downhill. I was wearing a brace above my knee and it did feel a little weird, but it didn't seem to be helping with the ITB pain. Amy has been having issues with her foot for a few weeks and she was obviously in pain as well.
By mile 4 my knee was really hurting and we stopped at Nunns Park to use the bathroom. I was trying to adjust the brace, but it never did seem to get comfortable. From here the trail runs down the Provo River trail and goes right under Bridal Vail Falls. Amy's foot was really hurting and at mile 7 she had to call it quits for the day. I felt really bad for her. Michael and I continued on and he pulled ahead. This was by far the worst part of the race for me. From mile 7-13 my ITB was hurting like crazy and I stopped several times to try and adjust the brace, but nothing seemed to help. Several runners passed me and it was seriously demoralizing, and the doubt really started to creep in. I figured that I would just go as far as I could and see what happened. I tried not to think about quitting and just told myself to get to mile 13 and from there I could fight through anything. It was hard, maybe the hardest thing I have ever had to push through.
I finally found an adjustment on the brace that felt ok, and even though it was still really hurting, I could run. I didn't adjust it again the rest of the way. I think that was around mile 10. Once I got out of the canyon we hit the 13.1 sign and after about 10 minutes I noticed that my knee pain was not as severe. The downhill had just been punishing me. I actually got a little spring in my step, and even though my ITB was still hurting, it was nothing compared to the canyon experience.
Over the next 5 miles I was running almost always alone. I did pick off a few runners here and there, but mostly I just tried ignore the pain and keep on pushing. I told myself if I can just get to mile 20 I'll make it. The course wasn't marked all that well, and I did get a little lost a few times, but nothing serious. My knee was still hurting, but now it seemed that both of my legs and feet were hurting from the knees down. It was hard, but I was also having fun.
From mile 20-26 I just pushed my body even though it was telling me to quit. There were 3 guys that kept coming up to pass me and every time I would push hard so that they wouldn't. When I stopped at the last aid station at mile 23 they were right on my tail, so I took a quick break and headed out fast. The last 3 miles really hurt, but there was no way I was going to stop. In fact, the few times that I did stop to grab a drink or eat some gu my knee wouls start to lock up on me. As long as I was running it seemed to be alright, even though it hurt.
The last half mile gave me a burst of adrenaline as I saw all of the people at the finish line and several people were yelling good job, and way to go. It seemed to really help. I looked at what I thought was the finish line and I wasn't totally sure until I passed the 26.2 sign. There was a guy that took my tag and congratulated me. I had done it and it felt great. Once I stopped and took a few minutes to catch my breath and have a drink my knee locked up and it has been hard to walk since, but I don't care. I had a great time, and I'm already looking forward to my next race. Thanks to everyone on this board for inspiring me and for your words of encouragement. I didn't break any records today, but I did accomplish my goal. I finished.
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