Denouement

Snow Canyon 1/2 Marathon

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Location:

Kowloon Tong,Hong Kong

Member Since:

Jul 02, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Olympic Trials Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided:

5K - 17:11 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:48 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:34 (road - Shek Mun 10k 12/12)

1/2 Marathon 1:19:44 (UNICEF HM 11/12)

Marathon 2:47:08 (ING Hartford Connecticut 10/10)

Aided:

St. George Marathon 2:50:40 (10/08)

1/2 marathon - Hobble Creek 1:17:14 (8/08)

10K - Deseret News 10K - 35:02 (7/08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

PR 1/2 marathon AGAIN


Long-Term Running Goals:

Break 2:46 in Boston!

Personal:

I used to run for BYU, but only after trying out three times and finally walking on, so I was never a star. However, it was wonderful to run with great people and under Coach Shane. When you run with fast people, you can't help to improve! I graduated BYU in 1998, and didn't run a race until 2002, after having my second child. My hiatus and other crazy life commitments have made my competitive running suffer, but the last couple of years I have tried to get back into it the best I can. I have been married since 1996, to Paul Lowry, who is a runner himself. I have three boys (my three rascals), ages 12, 10, and 8.

After a great 2008 season, I was injured and eventually diagnosed and cross-diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of arthritis disease, which precludes running for all but the most stubborn.  So I am on medications, trying to stay healthy, and seeing my PT often.  And running!  Now beating the streets in Hong Kong.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
NB RC900 Black/yellow Lifetime Miles: 183.31
NB RC1300 Red/Black Lifetime Miles: 195.31
2012 MTR Lifetime Miles: 4035.70
890 Blue Lifetime Miles: 310.55
NB RC 1600 Lifetime Miles: 96.76
RC 1400 Lifetime Miles: 90.60
NB 890 Baby Blue Lifetime Miles: 233.26
NB 890 Electric Blue Lifetime Miles: 319.67
NB 890 Tokyo Turquoise Lifetime Miles: 163.54
Race: Snow Canyon 1/2 Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:22:13, Place overall: 3
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.1813.170.000.000.000.000.0019.35

Snow Canyon 1/2.  Put this on my racing schedule, but then realized how steep the race was, and consulted with my coach about whether to skip the race, start from the bottom and run up til I met AmberG, then run her in, or race it.  He suggested doing the race as a workout.  Plan:  hang onto tails of the leading lady for the first three miles, back off to 6:45-7:15 pace, depending on what pace it took to not get hammered, allowing "everyone to pass" me, coach said it would be character building, then ease into marathon pace (6:20-6:30) through the remainder of the race, slowly reeling in those I passed.  

Here's how it went.

So nice to not have pre-race jitters since it was not a high risk event.  Still had three stars before toeing the line.  Warmed up 3.32 miles.  Met up with Marcie and AmberG. And we are off.

Mile 1 5:58 Amber takes off like, well, you know.  It took all I had to keep in touch for the first half mile, but then pace mellows a bit

Mile 2 6:07 A girl in a sports bra joins the front pack of girls (AmberG, me and Marcie), and takes the lead, I pull into second by the end of this mile.

Mile 3 5:50 serious downhills starts.  Bra girl is chatting it up with a couple of guys ahead of me, I just hang on--not conversational for me!

Mile 4 6:21 I change gears but didn't go slow enough (I thought I only had to go 6:30 or slower, but in looking back at McMillans email, it was supposed to be 6:45 or slower--ooops!), AmberG is first one to pass me, several pass per mile

Mile 5 6:25 still in don't trash the quads mode, Marcie I think passes me in here, snow canyon is so beautiful.  I chat with a guy who's pr is 1:29 in here, his name is Craig, he was going conservative too through this part.  He had a St. G red shirt.

Mile 6 6:36 more like it, taking it easy, a lady in a very fashionable purple plaid passes me in this mile, I can't let such race-fashionability stand.  In these three miles of serious holding back, 18 people in all passed me, and I went from 2nd lady to 6th lady.

Mile 7 6:09 still really steep, so I go into marathon pace gear, but with some trepidation and still holding a bit back

Mile 8 6:24 49:50ish for first 8, I make a calculation at the end of this mile that I needed to keep a 6:20 pace til the end to easily get under 1:22.  Too bad I forgot about the .1 mile in the 13.1 mile race

Mile 9 6:08 catch up to Craig in this mile, encourage him to come with me, I've passed two ladies and Marcie is in sight.

Mile 10 6:24 at the very, very beginning of this mile I hit a portapotty.  Unfortunately noone has prepped this pot like I did one in TOU, still it was a quick pitstop as evidenced by my time, pass Marcie at end of this mile or beginning of 11

Mile 11 6:22, starting to get rough, with lots of neighborhood turns, at the end of this mile I start to see AmberG ahead, but know she's way far ahead

Mile 12 6:22, pace is hard but managable

Mile 13 6:11, wanting to finish strong, see glimpes of Amber at times but she is still far ahead

.14 in 48 sec (5:55 pace).  Thinking how crazy it is to have to go around the track--the end of this race seemed so long.  Measured 3.18, must have not done tangents that well

1:22:13 official results.  3rd place woman.  Passed 11 of the 18 back.  Bummed to not be under 1:22, but it was a good workout, and I ran it faster than I was supposed to (6:14 ave pace for end).  I am sore today but not as sore as I would have been if I raced it, so there's another victory.  Won a fancy heart monitor watch.  My mom and her boyfriend came and watched the race, it was great to have them there.

 

2010 Mileage Miles: 575.00Mizuno Precision (turquoise) Miles: 19.35
Night Sleep Time: 7.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.50Weight: 0.00
Comments
From AmberG on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 21:32:46 from 75.162.138.235

I would have loved to see how you would have done had you actually "raced" it...You did great holding back during those middle miles and then you still came out with an awesome time and fast finish. Way to go. . . ! You almost caught me and I raced the entire way :) It was fun to see you at the start, wish we could have 'hung' out more! You are doing incredibly well and I'm so inspired by your "IRON WILL and DETERMINATION" :) and your cuteness too!

From JulieC on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 22:16:02 from 71.35.248.220

Amazing Michelle. You are doing so well!! Holding back for you has got to be tough. Keep up the great times!!!

From flatlander on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 22:35:37 from 75.214.240.65

That is advanced racing technique, interesting to read. Amazing discipline and you ended up plenty fast anyway.

From Paul on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 23:27:22 from 174.27.187.235

Good workout.

From Bonnie on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 23:51:28 from 64.119.33.134

Great job Michelle, lots of discipline and a good race too!! miss you.

From allie on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 23:59:09 from 174.23.195.124

nice job sticking to the plan. i admire your discipline.

they need to make toilet paper unwrapping an official volunteer position.

From Burt on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 00:42:33 from 68.225.214.248

Great job Michelle. Do you think you can get my bra girl's number? I'd like to chat with her.

From MichelleL on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 09:33:26 from 67.41.178.22

Thanks everyone. It was fun. Definitely look forward to hanging out with AmberG some more ;D Definitely need a toilet paper unroller volunteer.

From Superfly on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 09:47:01 from 208.117.127.110

I had the same thought about racing it all out. But after Logan and I finished our workout and saw you guys and the race starting I was wishing I'd have just ran it. Looked kind of fun. Anyways good job on a solid workout.

From runningafterbabies on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 10:52:08 from 24.10.211.135

Too bad karma wasn't in store for you today with the POP. Nice job not "racing!" It takes a lot of mental toughness to do that.

From marion on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 21:04:09 from 71.213.115.112

Oh la la! Nice "non race" race :) Super cool workout!

From Teena Marie on Tue, Nov 09, 2010 at 15:14:49 from 67.2.124.54

As always, I am so impressed.

It was great chatting with you for a second.

You looked AWESOME both before and after the race. :) :) :)

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