Running

Mid-Mountain Marathon

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Location:

Lehi,UT,

Member Since:

Jul 19, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

PRs

2015 St. George Marathon (2:44:11)

2014 Hobble Creek Half (1:17:18)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Goals

  • 5K - 16:59
  • 1/2 Marathon - Sub 1:17:00
  • Marathon - 2:45:00 

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Miles:This week: 21.05 Month: 143.85 Year: 369.15
Lunaracer 4 Lifetime Miles: 248.70
Zoom Pegasus (gray) 36 Lifetime Miles: 414.95
Zoom Pegasus 35 (orange/red) Lifetime Miles: 319.05
Pegasus 34 (black) Lifetime Miles: 271.45
Zoom Pegasus 36 (dark Gray) Lifetime Miles: 380.85
Zoom Pegasus 36 Blue Lifetime Miles: 226.45
Pegasus Turbo 2 ( Dark Green) Lifetime Miles: 185.75
Pegasus 37 Black Lifetime Miles: 210.40
Nike Pegasus 38 Orange Lifetime Miles: 411.60
Zoom Pegasus 36 Light Green Lifetime Miles: 293.15
Nike Zoom Tempo Next Lifetime Miles: 309.55
Vaporfly Green Lifetime Miles: 49.35
Pegasus 39 White/orange Lifetime Miles: 296.70
React Infinity Flyknit (Maroon) Lifetime Miles: 179.75
Asics Magic Speed 2 (Green) Lifetime Miles: 145.45
Asics Novablast 3 (white) Lifetime Miles: 126.40
Pegasus 37 (Gray) Lifetime Miles: 16.80
Race: Mid-Mountain Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:31:55, Place overall: 14
Total Distance
26.20

I was planning on running around 22 miles in prep for STG today, so I figured I might as well run this marathon.  I ran it in 2009 (3:36:45) and 2008 (3:48:00) and it is a nice change of pace and is actually a pretty cool race...........but I always forget how brutal it is on me.  I suspect the distance is somewhere in the neighborhood of 26.2, but maybe a bit short......but it felt like it was 30 miles today.

Race starts at Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley Resort and runs the Mid-Mountain trail all through the Park City Ski Resort and back into some pretty big country and then finishes at The Canyons.  I am not a trail runner. This is the only race that I ever run on a trail.  The rocky terrain, combined with the relentless climbing, and the high altitude just kill me.  I believe the race pretty much takes place between 7,000-8,500 feet.  I needed an oxygen tank on all the uphill sections.

Race started and within 15-20 min I was all alone.  I stopped for a bathroom break about 20 min in and one guy caught up, but I eventually pulled away from him.  I didn't wear a Garmin, and the course had some random mile markers, but who knows if they were accurate.  Legs had trouble on the beginning part of the course and I was sucking wind pretty bad on the first climb, which lasted for about the first 4-5 miles.  Hit the cours 5 mile mark at 40:40.  Split at 10 miles was 1:26:41 and it seemed like we climbed a lot in here and I struggled.  Got some good downhill the next five miles and hit the 15 mile mark at 2:01:33, but I'm starting to have some problems.  I've never carried liquids on this run (I might be the only one) and I've never had trouble in this race in the past, but it seemed like we went forever without an aid station and I was in need of fluids.  Seems like the aid station was right around the 16 mile mark and I stopped and tried to hydrate good.  2 guys caught me here and I let them pass.  I was right on them, but then everything I just drank, as well as the GU I just ate just came right back up.  This was a recurring theme over the next 6-7 miles.  I just couldn't keep anything in me and the sections where the sun were in full force just made things worse.

Right around mile 15 through 20 is the worse part of this race.  It's a pretty big climb, but once you get through it you get some good downhill.  Struggled through this part, but right at the top of the worst hill of the race (just after mile 20) I caught up to a guy.  I eventually passed him and got booking it pretty good on the downhill.  Still felt real crappy, but was able to keep a good pace on the downhill.  Several people started coming back to me. Somewhere in the last 4-5 miles I took a rough fall.  There was a guy right in front of me and one right behind.  The fall hurt.  Two guys that I passed with about 2 miles left passed me back at the last aid station with about a mile left.  I was done and was so glad to see the finish line.  The course changed a bit from the previous years I ran it, but it still is hard.  I forget how hard it is.  Lots of respect for these trail guys.  Some of them are like mountain goats.  I'm sure they just fly on the up and down parts of this race.

Hopefully the damage is minimal from this race.  It sure does beat me up.  If nothing else, I got some good miles in on hilly terrain at some high altitude.  I guess a good thing is that this is the worst I've felt at this race, but I still finished a few minutes ahead previous times. Would highly recommend this race if your looking for some good trail running with some incredible views.  The race is very well put together as well. 

Comments
From josse on Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 16:30:15 from 70.196.193.93

Wow sounds pretty brutal, but fun at the same time. I love trail running and as soon as I break 3 hours I'm going to do more of if. great job!

From Rob on Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 16:38:59 from 72.254.9.235

Wow, brutal race. I'm with you on the trail running. It definitely takes more skill and practice than you'd think, especially when your start getting tired and forget to lift your legs.

Nice job finishing.

From Jeff L on Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 16:41:38 from 74.81.231.122

Thanks, guys. Even though it was a tough race, it really is one of my favorites. I bet you would both love it.

From Seth on Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 19:37:34 from 67.177.36.131

Nice work man. That trail is pretty tough for a long run like that. Great job and good luck in St George!

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