13-Mile Training Run

Man, running 13 miles is quite the adventure.

A lot can happen when you're on the road for two hours.

Today was my big 13 mile pre-race training run.

And it also happened to be the South Jordan Marathon, which went right by my house.

Right outside my neighborhood was the mile 17 mile marker/aid station.

I couldn't resist, and I joined in with the runners, thinking this would be a great way to train.

It was pretty fun, and totally got me pumped for a race.

After a few miles, though, I started feeling a little silly.

I was passing lots of people, obviously, because they were on mile 20 and I was on mile 3.

And while you can get away with people not seeing your bib, you can't hide the fact that you're not wearing a timing chip. Sooo... feeling like the race hijacker that I was, I jumped on the sidewalk to make it a little more clear that I wasn't in the race, and to be out of everyone's way.

I made sure to hit my intersections at the same time as the marathoners, though, so I wouldn't have to wait, which was pretty awesome.

Around mile 5 or 6, I passed this middle-aged guy that was just having a blast, yelling to people cheering him on and waving his arms around like he was just having a party. On mile 22. 

I told him he had way too much energy for mile 22. 

He said, "Hey, if you're not having fun, you might as well quit!"

Wow. 

I think the super-fit guy that was on his heels probably wanted to punch him.

But seriously, great attitude. He has probably run a lot of marathons. Maybe I will be feeling that good on mile 22 someday.

Alright, so right after that on mile 6 I knew I was about to turn off the marathon course so I took my gel a little early and got my last chance for some water. I told the volunteers I wasn't in the race but they didn't care. That one little cup of water was all I had on the entire run, and I'll be honest, I could've used some more.

As soon as I turned the corner, it was basically a gradual uphill climb the rest of the way home.

On my first six miles, I was averaging an 8:40 pace. And it just got slower and slower every time that lady came into my ear to tell me my pace.

By mile 10, I was dying.

I was around a 9:07 pace, I think.

I had to dig really deep.

I had to take myself to later in the day, when the run is over, and you're wondering if you gave it all you had.

So I gave it all I had.

And all I had resulted in a 2:00:38 run. 

I was hoping to push it to under 2 hours, but that was close enough that I know I can get under 2 hours on race day, especially since it's downhill.

I mean, look at the elevation chart on this thing. 

Doesn't get any better than that!

I'm pretty excited, this is the only timed race I've done since I had Kyle over a year ago (Ragnar doesn't really count). Can't wait!!