The Comeback Trail

St. George

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8 Women

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

St. George,UT,USA

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I am a new runner, started running May 2007. Ran STG Marathon Oct 2007 (3:29) first race after knee surgery and re-injured it on mile 16. Also ran Tucson Marathon (3:45) out of shape from knee recovery, but still had a blast. First race with no knee problems and starting to get in shape Painters 2008 1:29:27 (Short Course GPS showed 12.95)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Just get healthy!

Long-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston

Personal:

I am married with 3 kids, My wife and I own a Propane Company in St. George.

Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	1472.60

Sat, Oct 04, 2008

Race: St. George (26.2 Miles) 03:50:32

Easy Miles Marathon Pace Miles Threshold Miles VO2 Max Miles Crosstraining miles Total Miles

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Well, I dont even want to enter this. The thing in life, you have to man up and take the good with the VERY BAD!! I actually felt very good when I got up today. Was not encouraged with the strong headwind and the rain. Bruce and I rode the bus up and arrived an 1:15 min early, first mistake. Needless to say, even with the help of the garbage bags we still got wet.

I really tried to start this race nice and easy. Hitting the first and second miles in the 7:30 range. I started to warm-up just a bit and hit the next 5 miles in the lower 7's. Very relaxed and breathing real easy. Veyo hill, slowed down and ran it smart, 8:30's. The only problem was, this is where I began to feel tightness and mini cramps in my calves. I began to get cold chilles and feeling very sick. Threw up by the Dammeron Valley steak house. Next mile, legs badly cramping. I have never had cramping on any run. I started to stop and try to stretch them out. I was not having any luck and it became almost impossible to run. Then it got really fun. I was starting to feel sicker, more puking and feeling dizzy. I was thinking, I still have a long way to go. I did not want to finish this race.

By the time I got to Snow Canyon, the 3:20 balloon had caught me. I knew there was no way my BQ was going to happen. I made one last attempt and was able to pass the 3:20 group. This only lasted until the top of the Winchester hill. Very bad cramping and the walking began. By this time, I was really shivering and not breathing well. I had a few people asking if I needed medical attention. I mostly walked from there in, with some running. This was the slowest race I have ever ran, but by far the toughest to finish.

So, bottom line. In training runs, I beat my BQ pace several times with no problem, one 23 miler. I am very dissapointed and pretty beat up from this race. I will decide over the next week, if I have it in me to try again. This race really took alot out of me. I know some of the bloggers had very good races. My hats off to you! Congrats to all who achived there goals!!

Comments

From Burt on Oct 04, 2008 at 20:02:27

Well, with as good as you've been training, you'll get it on the next one. And my hats off to you for posting. I almost didn't want to post my race today either.

From James Holt on Oct 04, 2008 at 20:06:31

Dont get to down on yourself. You made some incredible progress coming off a bad injury. Today was hard. Get some rest and youll be back body and mind ready to roll.

From The Howling Commando on Oct 04, 2008 at 20:16:27

Man, that's a bummer, Mike! But hey... you got out there and finished the marathon despite all your setbacks lately. You're one of the inspirations that keeps me positive and keeps me hopeful that one day I'll make a return too. Keep your chin up. Your BQ will come. Just celebrate your run, the good memories, the people you met. Tomorrow is another day... another day closer to your BQ. You have the determination and the will to do it. It will happen.

Benn

From RivertonPaul on Oct 04, 2008 at 21:51:30

Chalk it up to life experience. Sorry you've been working so hard. I'll comment more later.

From Tom on Oct 04, 2008 at 22:37:33

Mike it was a BEAST out there today. That headwind was a pace-killer. There were a small few who managed to get goal time but the large majority of us were way off, in many cases by 10-20 minutes!

Time to put this baby to bed, save it for stories to the kids and grandkids and like Paul said - chalk it up to life experience.

Also thanks so VERY MUCH for the use of the condo. That worked out perfectly for us, so much better than a hotel room. You guys are the best.

From linda10k on Oct 04, 2008 at 23:11:43

Kudo's for sticking it out and finishing. You did great considering the weather. It was very cold.

From MarcieJ on Oct 05, 2008 at 00:42:32

Today was hard, it looks like bermuda tri did not have their best races today. Try to stay strong. Today it was just an accompishment to finish! I felt so SICK today too!

From Jon on Oct 05, 2008 at 01:29:08

Sorry to hear you had such a hard race- tough conditions out there. We'll all do better next time (hopefully on a cool, sunny day with a slight tailwind).

From dave holt on Oct 05, 2008 at 01:30:04

Mike, next spring you are going to look back at this entry and think, "I can't believe I was doubting myself." I know you can do it. You have proved it time and again. Chill for a little while. Deal with your health and that of your loved ones for a little while and we'll get things rolling again when the time is right. You're all right big man.

From Jody on Oct 05, 2008 at 09:27:08

You did great! This was such a tough race and a huge accomplishment for the year you have had! Way to GO!!!

From Steve Hooper on Oct 05, 2008 at 13:39:50

What a crazy day!! I can't believe you threw up. Great job pushing through.

Kendra and I were looking and looking for you - I figured something must have happened. It seemed like a lot of people had a crazy race.

Spend some good time recovering and you'll be ready to go kick some butt.

From Ruthie on Oct 05, 2008 at 14:17:33

Mike! You are so amazing! I am impressed over and over by what a great attitude you have had through the myriad of troubles, issues and hard times in running. Even though the race was sucky, you are awesome and truly an inspiration to me. Keep it up.

From Superfly on Oct 05, 2008 at 16:18:23

Good job Mike. With all you've gone through this year I was proud of you for even wanting to run the race. Just sit back and relax for a while. Drink a few Dew's and watch some good football. Your best race is still to come.

From MichelleL on Oct 05, 2008 at 18:44:16

Wow you are so tough to finish with the puking and cramping and what not. Sounds like you got a nasty marathon experience. That means you got it out of the way and it won't happen again ;) You've got a BQ in you.

From Michelle N. on Oct 05, 2008 at 21:16:43

Hey Mike, great job. I passed you about mile 22 and saw your FRB shirt and asked your name and asked you if you were the Marcie Mike. Anyway, you looked like you were hurting and I really felt for you. You are truly amazing to stick it out. You'll recover like we all do and crazily go for another.

From JeffC on Oct 06, 2008 at 01:36:02

Dude you didn't look too bad when I saw you at whatever mile that was. I guess you were in really bad shape from the sounds of it. I'm sorry it was such a crappy day for you but it was pretty much a crappy day all around. We run this thing on a good day and this is a different race entirely. BQ is so close for you, just keep it up but don't get burned out.

From Cal on Oct 06, 2008 at 11:43:08

Hang in there Mike. We all have ups and downs like that, and this was a non-ideal day to say the least Your training shows that you have the ability. The next race will likely be a great one for you!

From Dustin on Oct 06, 2008 at 11:50:15

Hey Big Guy!

Sorry the race didn't go so well for you. Believe me, I know how you are feeling, I think most of us are still wondering what exactly happened on Saturday?

Anyway, as soon as I'm recovered I'm thinking about getting back into things and trying another marathon before the end of the year.

Have you looked at the CA International Marathon in Sacramento? I think it might be a good marathon. Hooper's Dad lives out there, maybe we could even talk him into running it.

From josse on Oct 07, 2008 at 16:45:15

This course is a hard one and you have to have the perfect day. Most of us didn't, so you are not alone. I think you should try again, I KNOW you can do it. One of my friends ran Boston this year and had a very bad race, she ran 4:30 something and then did a 2:58 in SG.

From Brent on Oct 07, 2008 at 22:47:16

Mike, upchucking, cramping, what the heck? Way to gut it out. Hey, Vegas Baby? Another marathon while your in great shape? Just a thought, I wonder if it may have been all the stress you have had the last couple of weeks? Stress can cause many things. Hope you feel better soon. Maybe we will see you at the blogger party next year or at painters half?

By the way, you still ran a very good race considering the sickness, weather, etc. A lesser runner would have hitched a ride.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

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