Back in 2007 the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah trapped six miners and then 10 days later collapsed a second time killing 3 rescuers. This race was in their memory. VERY fast down-hill course and is the highest ½ marathon in Utah starting just under 9000 feel elevation. (Can you say lack of oxygen???)
I could not sleep ALL NIGHT – nerves were killing me. Not nerves to run the race, nerves to run the race pain free. Woke up around 4:30am, dressed, ate my banana, headed out the door. 30Min drive to packet pick-up. This was a smaller community race – still a lot of positive energy. Buss's left right on time for the ride up the canyon. (Funny side note: 3 buss's full of runners: 75% of the buss's full of 10K’ers & 5K’ers, and about 15-20 people running the ½ marathon)
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| (These photos do not do the canyon justice of its B-E-A-Utifulness) |
As we started our incline up the canyon it was getting cooler and cooler. This made me smile. We reach the top and see this>>>>>
By the time we get to the top almost all of us had to pee.
Quick pee and to the race line we go.
- Mile 1 8:47
The second we took off I could feel the pain in my groin. Major negative thoughts running through my head – I knew from this point unless I stopped and gave up: this would be a mental challenge race/ not a physical one.
- Mile 2 8:17
Came around to electric lake. Started practicing my mantras. Breathed in the cool, crisp air, and smiled. (Until I caught a bunch of mosquitoes in my mouth – note to self, when doing a race in the mountains, bring bug spray :D)
Mile 3 8:39
Decided to slow down my pace. Pain was not hurting ‘as bad.’
Mile 4 8:45
Contemplated giving up here. I have NEVER EVER stopped running on a LR until I am finished – well shit, first time for everything. Walked for about 20 seconds, and then started back up. I just kept telling myself, you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. Mind over matter.
Mile 5 9:18
Mile 6 9:36
Mile 7 9:58
Mile 8 10:11
Mile 9 10:32
How about those speed splits! UGhhhh I was getting so upset with myself. I kept getting passed. Probably shed a few tears. My pace continued to drop. The pain continued to kill. People kept saying ‘you can do this’ – (THIS SOUNDS MEAN I KNOW) but I wanted to scream at them I KNOW I CAN or I wouldn’t be running.
Mile 10 9:25
Mile 10 I realized this negative talk was not helping. I took out my ear phones. Tuned into the river and rhythm of my shoe hitting the ground. Swallowed a GU and took off.
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| Hows this for a constipated look? HA |
Mile 11 9:41
Mile 12 9:25
Mile 13 9:34
Mile 0.10 8:01
Seeing the finish line was probably the happiest moment of my life – well not really; but I was so relieved to get off my leg. Such a bitter sweat feeling. I had the ‘runners high’ I always get; but I was so frustrated with my time and with my body. I want it to reward me with the hard work I put into it; not let me down.
-So for me, it is back to swimming, water jogging, cross training, ice baths, and foam rolling until my body decides to grace me with its running abilities once again.
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