TOU - 9/20

I can't believe it's been a week and I haven't posted the news! Last Saturday was the Top of Utah (TOU) Marathon in Logan. Most people know it and refer to it as the 'Logan marathon'. It starts at Hardware Ranch up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Hardware is an elk preserve that feeds elk in the winter so they have food to survive. Basically it can get real cold up that high. 2 years ago it was 25 at the start and last year was 35. So I was a bit nervous. But it turned out being almost 50 which was perfect.

I have a soft spot for TOU. It's a tough course actually. The first 14 miles are down the canyon which isn't really that steep so your legs aren't beaten up too bad, but then it gets flat for 4 or 5 and then the hills begin. Just past 18 till 21 is a gradual climb, then there are three decent uphill grades to pass, and although the last one only lasts about 30 feet, the simple fact of how steep it is and that it comes just before 25 is like a death march. What I like about this course is this was my 'virgin marathon' as it was my first that I finished. Now that I've done it 3 times I can relive the course in my head. 

So I started out at the start line with Dick Correy, Matt Dalton's bro-in-law. He's my height but probably 15 pounds lighter if you can believe. Last year at STG he did a 3:02 or something, so he can fly. He took off at the start and was gone in about 20 steps. I decided I'd just go at what I thought was a comfortable pace and not look at my watch for a while. At mile 1, 2, and 3 I had done 7 min miles each with not much trouble. Well....it was on. At about 9 I noticed I still wasn't breathing as hard as those around me, and by 15 I had to start working. I stopped to answer nature at 18 but then still did a few 7:30's. 

After the aid station at 15 there was a guy who had his wife come up to him on a bike with a blood sugar kit. He was a diabetic, and was running a marathon! I patted him on the back and said, "that's impressive, way to go!". I was getting sore by 22 but it had sprinkled on us a few times so I wasn't as hot and dehydrated as other races. I was looking at my watch and realized I had a chance to get to 3:15 which is what John needs to qualify for Boston. Oh, he signed up back when we signed up for the Grand Slam (see link at left), but bailed long ago. So I picked up his packet, shirt, and put his chip in my pocket. Now that chip was my motivation to get to the finish line!

By 25 (I run right past my hotel - wish I could have someone start the ice bath for me) I couldn't keep the same speed, but my slowest times here at the end were 8:40 so not too bad. I couldn't even sprint to the finish. I ended up beating my PR (Personal Record) by over 8 minutes and finished in 3:16:48! And Dick was only about 2 minutes ahead of me. I realized that when you go so quick, there's no line at the massage tables. I walked right up and laid down. Of course, there were like 4 guys and 1 girl, so yes, I walked the extra three tables to the girl. Sorry, not quite sure if I'm comfortable getting a massage from a guy. Not ready to play for that team.

After the long walk to the hotel (about 3 blocks), ice bath, Jamba, and a footlong from Subway I hopped in the Green Gazelle to head home. I thought I'd get sleepy, but with a new PR I couldn't find music loud enough. I was bouncing the whole way home. Then we watched the "U" win a close one with Air Force (we scored a TD with a minute left to break a tie and then intercepted a pass on their next play). That was a good ending to a great day. Of course, the two bags of ice in the tub helped too. :)