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St. George Marathon

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Location:

Santa Clara,UT,

Member Since:

Jan 01, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Swiss Days(5k)--19:47.5

Zion Centennial Fun Run (10k)--42:19 

St. George Half Marathon--1:36:45.4 

St. George Marathon--3:22:29

Short-Term Running Goals:

I want to work on building up my base again and taking a crack at my 5k and 10k PRs.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run to live. Live to run.

 

Personal:

I'm married with 3 cuties and a buddy. When I don't run, I'm ornery.  So for their sake--It's all for them--I run.

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Miles:This week: 6.00 Month: 104.50 Year: 374.00
NB 1400 Lifetime Miles: 275.75
Nike LunarEpic Lifetime Miles: 597.00
Nike Lunar Epic Oct. 2017 Lifetime Miles: 599.26
INOV8 F-Lite 195 Lifetime Miles: 544.25
Hoka Clifton 6 Lifetime Miles: 326.25
Bike Miles Lifetime Miles: 88.50
Erg Ks Lifetime Miles: 46.00
Hoka Speedgoat 4 Lifetime Miles: 417.25
Nike LunarEpic 2 Lifetime Miles: 176.25
Brooks L5 Lifetime Miles: 277.25
Desert Canyons Lifetime Miles: 106.50
PV Speedgoat 4 Lifetime Miles: 212.00
Brooks Launch 5 Lifetime Miles: 241.25
ASICS Cumulus 23 Lifetime Miles: 379.00
Brooks Glycerin 18 Lifetime Miles: 224.50
Brooks G20 Lifetime Miles: 148.75
Books 2022 Lifetime Miles: 40.00
Trail Runs 2022 Lifetime Miles: 103.00
Adidas Boston 10 Lifetime Miles: 254.50
Brooks G21 Lifetime Miles: 184.75
G20 Lifetime Miles: 147.25
Books 2023 Lifetime Miles: 50.00
Trail Runs 2023 Lifetime Miles: 106.00
Nike TK Lifetime Miles: 95.00
Altra Escalante 3 Lifetime Miles: 149.50
Altra Superior 5 Lifetime Miles: 175.25
Altra Torin 5 Lifetime Miles: 160.50
Tomir Lifetime Miles: 132.50
Kjerag Lifetime Miles: 134.75
Hoka Cielo Road Lifetime Miles: 25.50
Books 2024 Lifetime Miles: 14.00
Trail Runs 2024 Lifetime Miles: 20.00
BG 21 Lifetime Miles: 183.00
Race: St. George Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:01:48
Total Distance
26.25

Well, that happened. In the parlance of my grandpa Floyd, I "started, farted, and fell." Ironically enough some flatulence would have been welcome.

I went into this race feeling like I was in pretty good shape, and perhaps a PR was in the mix. I didn't sleep super well the night before. Nevertheless, things started decently but went down hill after Veyo. At mile 8, I was right around 1:00:00. After that, climbing Dammeron, my legs didn't have much to give. 2 years ago, I was motoring past people. I got motored this year. I reached the half around 1:42:00 and felt like I was in decent shape timewise, but my stomach was really starting to get fussy with sloshing and cramping. From this point, the course is mostly downhill. That proved to be the case for my race as well.

I was looking for anyway to alleviate my stomach--false pitstops, walking, and even manual pressure. I hit the pots at 14, 17, and 20. All were "fruitless." The walking started intermittently after that until roughly mile 23. I don't know why, but I just couldn't power through the stomach issues, and every downhill grade was brutal. Every other stepped, I could hear the demons of the marathon throwing rocks in the well of my stomach. At this point I was just waiting for anyone I knew to pass me, so that could be done with. There were fewer than I expected to come by. It must have been a rough day for many folks. These miles must have been scary pacewise because I positively split by like 36-37 minutes. On the other hand, the last 3 miles felt better than the other 2 marathons that I have run. 

Once I came down into town, the stomach started to calm down a bit--perhaps the change in pace allowed my stomach to do its job, finally--and the crowd really helped. Thankfully, I didn't hear any "You're almost there"s. I did see quite a few people I knew cheering. As I got through the first aid station on Diagonal, Tyson and Trevor came along to run me in. I know I was a bit ornery, and in my mind was cursing them the whole time, but they really, really helped me. I can't thank them enough. We worked into a fairly steady pace. Once we reached Tabernacle, I was able to pick it up and push past people. I even passed the 4-hour pace group at the roundabout. By the time we hit 300 south, the boys were trying to coach me to speeds that I probably wouldn't have on a normal day with a fresh body. I gave them all that I had at that point. I don't know the split for that last mile, but I'm sure that is was my best mile all day. Thanks, guys. I was pretty glad to be done and ready to be home. I realized that I'm at my orneriest after a marathon because marathons are very, very taxing, both mentally and physically.

A few years back, I would have been pleased with my time today, but I left the parked feeling purty darned disappointed. But I guess I shouldn't be too bummed out because, honestly, the marathon hasn't been my top running priority this year. In the end, there were many positive things about the day:

1. I finished.

2. I was able to notice others around me and admire the great effort that so many give to run a marathon. My long lost buddy from Oregon and I were able to chat at one point.

3. Disappointment brings reflection.

4. So many people bring their joy and service to so many others during a marathon.

5. It's great to know that so many people love and care. 

P.S. I added an extra .05 to the mileage for the bathroom breaks and because I don't deal in anything shorter than a 1/4 mile.


NB MR10 Orange Miles: 26.25
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Kelso on Sun, Oct 02, 2011 at 20:23:14 from 67.41.191.114

I think anyone who runs a marathon has some hard core will power... You did great, coach! You're pure inspiration to me personally & our whole team! Thanks for all you do!!! :)

From JamesH on Sun, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:27:13 from 208.117.127.7

"your almost there" Your killing me Travis!!

Good job gutting it out.

From Kelli on Sun, Oct 02, 2011 at 23:59:11 from 71.219.83.151

I hate when they say you are almost there! I do not want to hear a thing until, "You are done!"

Great race report, good reflections, sorry about the tummy troubles. I would have loved to have witnessed the manual pressure. You are funny. ;o)

From scotthughes on Wed, Oct 05, 2011 at 10:55:29 from 209.33.211.3

I am glad that I am not the only one that crashed this year. I must have been just ahead of you most of the way. I hit the half at about 1:41 and was starting to fall apart. I remember your race 2 years ago and how we were both doing so good until I crashed at Winchester. One of these days I want to run a solid strong St. George....I guess that is what will keep me from quiting.....

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