Could not fall asleep even after taking a Tylenol PM. Tummy was tumbling all night. Finally got out of bed at 3am, took my time to get dressed, used the br twice and had hubby drove me to the bus loading at 4:30. Got there early enough to use the pop before meeting everyone at 5am. The bus line was LONG! Rode the bus with Karen, Toby, Bec, Rachel, Annie, Teena, Fonz, Lowell and Terry. Toby, Karen and I hit the bushes after waiting forever in the horribly LONG pop line and the race was about to start!!! Never had to do that in the 32 marathons and many other races that I've run before. Quickly dropped off our bags and met up with Lowell and Terry at the designated area so we could start together. So bummed that I didn't make it to the Flyers' fire-pit to see my friends.
Starting temp was probably around high 50s, no need for gloves or jacket. We jumped in behind the 4 hr balloons and marched to the start mat about 5 min after gun time. This is my 7th SGM, the excitement and energy never cease to amaze, SO AWESOME! I printed out a 3:55 pace band, it'd be a BQ for Karen and PR for me. My best SGM time was 3:57:41 two years ago; so I felt that it was not too ambitious a goal. However with the warm temp I pretty much threw that out the window and did so by mile 19. I told Karen and Toby that we should try to run the first half around 1:59 and go for a negative split. Here are the mile splits (followed by the 3:55 pace band splits in bracket):
1. 9:24 (9:16) Slower start to stay with the group. 2. 9:11 (9:06) Being patient.
3. 8:58 (8:44) Toby got ahead of us after the first aid station but kept her within sight.
4. 8:16 (8:33) Lost Lowell & Terry after the first aid station. Picked up pace a bit. 5. 8:33 (8:55) Gradually made up time from the slower start. Took 1st gu.
6. 8:17 (8:55) Right on with projected time. Caught up to Toby.
7. 8:15 (8:55) A bit fast but figure Vejo would slow us putting us back on track. Ran with Bradley (Maynard) and Brad a bit. It was AWESOME to see Tim (Toby's husband) at the base of Veyo! :)
8. 9:41 (9:59) I believe this is the fastest I've run Vejo. Really enjoyed drawing on each other's vibes. Walked a tiny bit as we crested the hill. 9. 9:19 (9:32) Loved the helicopter overhead!
10. 9:39 (9:16) Beginning of headwind. 11. 9:42 (9:38) Had to take the inhaler to keep breathing under control, darn headwind! 12. 9:44 (9:11) Tummy issue and lack of breakfast catching up on me. Took 2nd gu at the start of this mile at the aid station. 13. 8:51 (8:55) Felt revived. Our half split was 1:59:xx, right on target! Told Toby and Karen that we're now gonna erase all the previous miles and simply start to run a 1:55 half. They have both run awesome Halfs this summer (1:45-1:47) so it'd be a piece of cake to run 1:55! :) :) :)
14. 9:29 (8:44) Stupid headwind! Where's the 4hr group when you need them to draft off of! :) 15. 8:31 (8:28) Really enjoyed these beautiful miles with Karen and Toby. 16. 8:35 (8:44) Gratitude of running with friends and the gorgeous Snow Canyon filled my heart and spirit.
17. 8:34 (8:44) Took 3rd Gu. 18. 8:51 (8:44) Getting really warm. Latched onto the 4 hr. balloons.
19. 9:26 (9:11) Lost Toby at this aid station. 20. 9:37 (8:44) Stayed right on the heels of the 4hr pacer. Decided to let the pacer do all the work and tossed out the pace band.
21. 8:59 (8:23) I normally run this mile the fastest but held back with the 4hr balloons. Karen's hammie cramped up. Gave her one of my electrolyte caps that I'm glad I decided to carry at the last minute. Took 4th Gu.
22. 9:22 (8:44) Staying right with the 4hr pacer stride by stride.
23. 9:11 (8:49) Lost Karen after the aid station. Still staying right by the pacer but itching to go faster.
24. 8:29 (8:49) At the base of Bluff St. the pacer announced that this is the time to
split up the group. He'd hold his pace for a 4hr finish and anyone
wanting to go after a faster finish should make the move now...so I did. Dropped the 4hr pace group for good. 25. 9:06 (8:55) Legs feeling fine. Getting really really hot. The guy in front of me came to a complete halt at the mist tent. I had to veer off so as not to run into him...that's when the right calf started to get a twinge of cramp.
26. 9:22 (8:55) Saw Karen's family with a mile to go but could not stop as charlie horse was creeping up my calves bilaterally and on my left toes. Running slower to stomp off impending charlie horse. Missed grabbing the cup and spilled gatorade all over myself at the last aid station...cramping!
0.26 in 2:17 @ 8:58 (8:55) With 0.2 to go I looked at my watch and realized the 3:55 goal was gone...should I have ditched the 4hr pace group sooner?...should I not slow down when cramp twinge came on...o well...just get to the finish...so very very grateful to cross the finish without charlie horse in 3:57:51, about a min faster than last year and 10 seconds slower than two years ago. The best part is that I finally ran a negative split!!! :) :) :)
MarcieN and I must've crossed the finish within seconds of each other. She and I walked thru the mist shower and got our medals together. Walked around the finisher corral 'till Karen came in. She finished in 4:00:03, a very impressive time for her first SGM! Found Toby scooting along in the massage line. She ran an AWESOME first marathon!!! So so so so so proud of Karen and Toby!!! Saw TomSlick who has had an incredible racing year. Saw Don Bigger, MarcE, Rachel, Kelli, Scott, Rachelle, Katherine, Nicole and her sister and a few other friends. Got my Grand Slam medal and award before bidding goodbye to this beloved marathon. It may be a year or two before I will run SGM again. Although I had hoped for a PR here, I re-affirm my feelings that running and spending time with friends and family beats getting a PR. I'm very happy to have seen many friends this weekend and so proud of each one of them! :)
THANK YOU my dear dear friend for your continuous love and support! :-) 
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