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Top of Utah Marathon

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Location:

Orem,UT,USA

Member Since:

Jun 26, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Ran first marathon after 18 months of training (minus injury time) at age 52 in Logan, Utah on Sept 18, 2010.  Time was 4:16:56 compared to a goal of 4:15.

Second marathon was Oct 1, 2011 in the heat of St George.  Time fell to 4:52:27.

Short-Term Running Goals:

With two marathons behind me, my next goal is to run one in under 4 hours and potentially qualify for Boston within 2 years.

Long-Term Running Goals:

My primary physical goal is to live a long, healthy life and to stay active to the end.  While I can, I expect running to be a big part of that.

Personal:

Married with 8 children and 5 grandchildren.  Youngest child is 13.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Sat, Sep 18, 2010
Race: Top of Utah Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:16:56, Place overall: 898, Place in age division: 43
Total Distance
26.20

This was the best marathon I have ever run!  OK, it was the only.  My goal time was 4:15, so I was pretty close.  Strategy was to start out slow and pass everyone at the end.  Reality was that I had too much fun at the start and at the end everyone was passing me.  Average pace for the first half was 8:40.  Average pace for the next 7 was 9:40.  Average pace for the last 6.2 was 11:51.  I "hit the wall" at mile 19 and really struggled after that.

Nevertheless, it was an exhilerating and emotional experience to cross the finish line at last.

Fortunately, my knee didn't bother me much.  It was my thighs the give out and I need to learn how to walk down stairs again.

The course was all down hill, losing 1000 feet in elevation for the first 17 miles and then averaging flat after that, with lots of ups and downs.

My 23 year old son, Brian also ran his first marathon today and did remarkably well, with a time of 3:29:26.  That was 20 minutes better than his goal.  Unlike me, he had a lot left in him at the end, passing many without letting any pass him for the last seven miles.

It feels good to finally achieve marathon status!

 

 

Comments
From lightitup on Sat, Sep 18, 2010 at 20:17:32 from 174.31.70.177

That was pretty short, but I'll take it! Thanks for the report...time to ice or you won't be able to get down your stairs very easily tomorrow. GREAT JOB

From Burt on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 01:17:24 from 68.225.214.248

Great job Stephen. Did you know I've met your brother and sister? They're great folks.

From Stephen on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 11:33:45 from 71.195.218.176

Burt,

I agree that they are great folks. I think I met you too at the London run last January.

I now know from personal experience that a marathon is much more than twice as hard as a half marathon.

From Kelli on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 12:11:28 from 71.219.65.246

TOU is a hard to have anything left in the tank at the end! Congrats on your first marathon!

From Burt on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 13:37:38 from 68.225.214.248

I'll be darned. And it looks like you'd been a blogger for 4 days prior to London's Run. I wished I'd known. Now I need to add you to my list.

From flatlander on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 14:45:26 from 75.223.118.157

Very impressive first marathon, bro. You will BQ as soon as you get some regular training in and get past your injuries. You will soon be looking at Brian in your rearview mirror, since you know he won't have time to train!

From allie on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 18:49:13 from 174.19.51.35

way to go and congrats on completing your first marathon. definitely something you will never forget. congrats to your son as well. sounds like it was a great day for you both!

From lightitup on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 19:15:28 from 174.31.70.177

Wow, you just heard from the female winner, you're famous!!!

From Jason McK on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 22:44:25 from 97.126.182.184

Way to achieve marathon status! Congrats to your son as well!

From Stephen on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 10:09:33 from 204.182.3.235

Thanks for all your comments. I'm still pumped up about the whole thing. Stairs are much easier today than yesterday. I went on a 4 mile bike ride this morning, just to test my legs a little.

lightitup,

I think it's the two-time female winner that is famous. I am just an also-ran.

From Kelli on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 10:44:26 from 71.219.65.246

Good to get the legs moving, huh??

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