Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Race Report - Crandall Canyon Half


Back in 2007 the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah trapped six miners and then 10 days later collapsed a second time killing 3 rescuers.  This race was in their memory.  VERY fast down-hill course and is the highest ½ marathon in Utah starting just under 9000 feel elevation.  (Can you say lack of oxygen???)




I could not sleep ALL NIGHT – nerves were killing me.  Not nerves to run the race, nerves to run the race pain free.  Woke up around 4:30am, dressed, ate my banana, headed out the door.  30Min drive to packet pick-up.  This was a smaller community race – still a lot of positive energy.  Buss's left right on time for the ride up the canyon.  (Funny side note: 3 buss's full of runners: 75% of the buss's full of 10K’ers & 5K’ers, and about 15-20 people running the ½ marathon)
(These photos do not do the canyon justice of its B-E-A-Utifulness)




As we started our incline up the canyon it was getting cooler and cooler.  This made me smile.  We reach the top and see this>>>>> 



 By the time we get to the top almost all of us had to pee.   

Quick pee and to the race line we go. 
  • Mile 1 8:47
The second we took off I could feel the pain in my groin.  Major negative thoughts running through my head – I knew from this point unless I stopped and gave up: this would be a mental challenge race/ not a physical one.      

  • Mile 2 8:17
Came around to electric lake.  Started practicing my mantras.  Breathed in the cool, crisp air, and smiled.  (Until I caught a bunch of mosquitoes in my mouth – note to self, when doing a race in the mountains, bring bug spray :D)  

Mile 3 8:39
 
Decided to slow down my pace.  Pain was not hurting ‘as bad.’

Mile 4 8:45
Contemplated giving up here. I have NEVER EVER stopped running on a LR until I am finished – well shit, first time for everything.  Walked for about 20 seconds, and then started back up.  I just kept telling myself, you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to.  Mind over matter.  

Mile 5 9:18
Mile 6 9:36
Mile 7 9:58
Mile 8 10:11
Mile 9 10:32
How about those speed splits! UGhhhh I was getting so upset with myself.  I kept getting passed.  Probably shed a few tears. My pace continued to drop.  The pain continued to kill. People kept saying ‘you can do this’ – (THIS SOUNDS MEAN I KNOW) but I wanted to scream at them I KNOW I CAN or I wouldn’t be running.   

Mile 10 9:25
Mile 10 I realized this negative talk was not helping.  I took out my ear phones.  Tuned into the river and rhythm of my shoe hitting the ground.  Swallowed a GU and took off.
Hows this for a constipated look? HA

Mile 11 9:41
Mile 12 9:25
Mile 13 9:34
Mile 0.10 8:01           
Seeing the finish line was probably the happiest moment of my life – well not really; but I was so relieved to get off my leg.  Such a bitter sweat feeling.  I had the ‘runners high’ I always get; but I was so frustrated with my time and with my body.  I want it to reward me with the hard work I put into it; not let me down. 




-So for me, it is back to swimming, water jogging, cross training, ice baths, and foam rolling until my body decides to grace me with its running abilities once again. 


5 comments:

  1. Congrats on an awesome finish! Running through the pain is so hard, but you kicked butt anyway. It can be so hard to overcome things that make you want to stop in a race and it's so awesome that you pushed through. You'll be back out there soon enough!

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  2. Congragulations on the great work! Your run looks so beautiful!

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  3. congrats on the half! it's unfortunate that your groin was acting up but it takes guts to keep on powering through.

    heal up and get back out there!

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  4. I can totally relate to being frustrated for not doing the best race that you know you can (been there many times) but you have to just go easier on yourself and learn from it and then do better next time! You did great and you should be proud! :)

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  5. GIRL HECK YES you freaking ran this race and did SO WELL SO BE FREAKING PROUD!!!!!!!!!!
    ps your gorgeous!

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