First Marathon Salt Lake City

Four coworkers ran with me in the half and full Salt Lake Marathon: Vince, Chandler, Steve and Daniel. Vince ran with me in the full Marathon. We ran together until about mile 24 and I faded into a run walk pace. I crossed the finish line with a 4 hour 10 minute time; 4 minutes after Vince did.

I signed up for the Salt Lake Marathon because of my goal to compete in an Ironman. After swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and run a Marathon.

When I started running this time last year, I could only run for 5-7 minutes before I was winded and had to slow down or pass out! I ran/walked 3 miles each morning and 3 miles to return home after work. I run a mile up a hill to catch a bus and then 50 minutes later run another 2 miles to where I work. Pain in every step gave way gradually to minor aches and fatigue to an enjoyable and easy daily run. I did this so I could leave the car at home with my wife so she could use it while I was at work. I started training for the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay last year about this time. I was recruited to run with coworkers from MonaVie where I work.

I went to Chandler's house at 5 am to get a ride to the race. We arrived at the Starting gate about 6:20 am and we saw Vince first and then Daniel and Steve. Vince commented on the large crowd that had turned out. We were somewhere in the middle of this sea of people. Looking forward or in back were runners as far as the eyes could see. The Salt Lake Mayor spoke to us briefly and gave us some words of encouragement.

We started the race at good pace and saw Dan, Chandler and Steve for a few minutes at mile 3. At mile 6, we split with the half marathon ruuners and merged up with them again once more before they finished their race. It was a much quieter race after that.

I carried a hand bottle with a mixture of MonaVie Active, Hammer gel and Perpetuem. I took Endurolyte capsules to take at regular intervals to keep muscle cramping at bay. I was blessed with an abundance of endorphins so during most of the race I felt great (a party!). I was singing out loud quoting movie scenes and waving at spectators with a hearty good morning. I wondered at mile 15 if I would encounter "the wall". Vince said it would probably happen around mile 20. I walked for 15 seconds through each aid station carefully drinking Powerade and water.

I watched each mile tick by and felt my left knee give a slight twinge and my arms and shoulders fatigued. I let my arms and shoulders relax at my sides every so often. At mile 21, I started to feel blisters on my toes. Running along at mile 23, my legs started to cramp and my 15 second walk at the aid stations started to get a little longer. I had one potty break and noticed that my quads were a little tight. I ran the last mile with a little bit of soreness. I noticed my mental state changing. I became much more quiet and less talkative. I noticed I was chaffing where sweat had evaporated and now it was rubbing sensitive parts raw.

I ran hard the last quarter mile into the gate. I saw John Gifford and Daniel. It felt great to finish my first Marathon. I was well prepared to run the race and using MonaVie Active, Hammer endurolyte gel and Perpetuem made running this race fun and enjoyable. I'm grateful to Vince who helped me set a nice steady pace.

I don't believe I ever hit the wall, bonked or struggled all that much. I simply ran until I didn't have to anymore...

I saw Vince and his family and sat down with them at a table and drank 6 bottles of water, 3 pints of chocolate milk, bananas, orange slices and a very small taco from Bajios that was being served inside the recovery area. I talked to Chris about her 5k run. She has come a long way since running in the Ragnar last year.

I had plenty of energy riding the Train and bus home. A neighbor picked me up and gave me a ride home on the last half mile home. I continued to take Endurolyte when I felt my muscles cramp up.

I became lethargic at home. I simply sat on the sofa and watched a few episodes of Sponge Bob Square Pants with my kids. My wife asked me to run a few errands. It seemed like when ever I sat down I was quite content to just sit there and do nothing. I went to bed as usual at 9 pm and woke up 6:30 feeling like I had a great nights rest. A little Yoga to stretch out and a little breakfast and I feel great!

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