REVEL Big Cottonwood

Published September 10, 2016

Last marathon bus leaves at 5am — mighty early for a Saturday. Layered in Mylar & running gloves, coldest start of the Fall…temps just above freezing. Bused high in the mountains, past 2 ski resorts – Brighton & Solitude – wouldn’t leave the warmth of our transport ‘til the driver shouted ‘last call’. Elevation: 9,696ft. 33 degrees, bit chilly in running shorts. Expecting a HUGE temperature swing after daybreak.

My first downhill marathon. Obviously easier than running UP Big Cottonwood Canyon…but running downhill – for 4 hours – comes with its own set of body challenges. In hind sight, should’ve wore my trail running shoes – wider toe box. I’d go home less 2 nails on my right foot.

Lotta runners, whole lotta energy. Camped in Mylar [blanket] village, exhaling air into a make-shift tent to keep warm. Big smiles – cold weather LOVE.

Marathon Maniac group pic, 6:45 start – pop & we’re off.

Beautiful course, canyon walls lined with evergreen. Pit-stopped early at mile 2, then pushed hard 9 miles to catch the 4-hour pace group. Mostly downhill course – haven’t PR’d or broke 4 hours since March 2015. Continued to push hard, trying to build a lead distance while my body felt strong.

Another pit-stop at mile 13; half marathon done, half to go. Right foot stung. Big toe throbbing, bleeding thru my shoe. Rookie mistake. Should’ve wore trail shoes. Live & learn.

Wooded canyon course continued thru mile 18 – heat kicked in, but the scenery…mighty inspiring.

5 mile loop at 18, course’s only uphill grade – not nearly as bad as pre-posted by ‘haters’ but not super scenic either. Trees disappeared, started cooking in the day’s rays. As I looped marker 21, saw the 4-hour pacers half-mile ahead. Argh.

Downhill stretch, then finished the last 3 [miles] strangely running down the highway center lane – between 2 lanes of traffic.

Missed sub-4 by 4 minutes. Ho hum. 70^th marathon finish, 3^rd consecutive weekend run. Despite this summer’s surprise health report, still on target…shooting for #100 by 2017 year-end. I feel a HUGE party in my future – in the meanwhile, grabbed a shower, wrapped my wounds & hit the highway. Sleeping in Moab tonite. Desert hiking Arches [National Park] tomorrow a.m. FAAANNNTASTIC!

K R Haga – Sept. 10, 2016

Bib # 1503

Event: Marathon

Chip Time: 4:04:00.71

Start Time of Day: 6:45:47AM

Finish Time of Day: 10:49:48AM

Pace (min/mile): 9:18