2014 Pocatello Marathon
Good race. Had fun. I’m happy with the way things turned out. Ended up with a 2:28 time which honestly about where I expected to be based on how I feel about my fitness, training, and race results this year.
This is a cool little race. The Pocatello folks are super, super nice. The race director (Mike) and his team do a great job with the organization. There are only maybe 400 participants that do the full marathon. This race first came up on my radar a few years ago when I was looking for a ‘tune-up’ marathon that was about 5-6 weeks prior to St. George. I ran it in 2011 (2:31) and 2012 (2:26) with good results in the following St. George marathons.
Main goal was to use this as a rehearsal of sorts for St George, which is in 5 weeks. I didn't really do a normal marathon taper, but I still wanted to run it fast and well. Based on my training and recent half times, I had to be honest with myself and acknowledge that I'm not in PR shape. So mostly likely no repeat of 2012's 2:26 in Pocatello. But sub 2:30 was definitely possible. So goal was to run hard and try and end up somewhere between 2:26 and 2:30. Also, since this is such a small profile race, I expected to win. Of course, that always depends on who shows up. But since I was bringing my family up, it would be good to get the win for them. I've won this twice before ('11 and '12).
I made the trip with my wife, 2 kids, mom and dad, and my 6 year old nephew. We all piled in my dad’s Tahoe and were on the road to Poky about 3:30. The kids were wild (and stress-inducing) the whole way up, but we made it there with just one stop. Went straight to the expo and I had the chance to visit with Jeff Shadley (class-act man) and meet his family.
Then went and checked in at the hotel just down the street. We got two adjoining rooms which worked out well. I didn’t like the fact that our room numbers were 233 and 235 and was tempted to ask to move down a few rooms. After dinner, my dad and I went and drove the second half of the course to give me a refresher and to scope-out the points where he’d be meeting up with me in the morning to provide fluid and Gu.
Similar to 2012, the plan was to carry 2 Gu’s in my shorts. I’d take the first one about mile 8. Then take a race provided Cliff Shot at mile 12. Have my dad meet me at about mile 15 with a bottle of EFS and Gu, and then again with the same at mile 19. Then take a final gel (race-provided) at mile 23. I’d have the second Gu in my shorts for insurance. I’d also try and take PowerAde at most aid stations.
Got to bed around 10:45 and, as is typical for me the night before most marathons, I had a pretty restless, mostly sleepless night. Got up at 4:30, got ready, and ate a couple packets of maple oatmeal with almond milk and peanut butter. My dad drove me up the street to the bus pickup by 5:15. The buses were the nice plush touring ones. Loaded right on and sat right next to Jeff. Bus ride to the start didn’t take long at all. I asked Jeff is he knew of anyone else fast who was running. He mentioned one guy whose name I couldn’t remember at the time, but said that he was capable of low 2:30’s but also had a history of blowing up sometimes.
Had just enough time to hit the potties a couple times, do a quick warmup with Jeff, stretch, and get ready for the 6:15 start. Made my way to the start line and saw a few fit guys who looked serious. Did the national anthem and it was time to roll…
The first half of the course is very fast. About 1,400 feet of descent with only about a half mile of slight incline during the 7th and 8th miles. The second half of the course is much more challenging with rollers and only a little bit of net descent. Definitely a positive split course. I’d need to get off to a good start and bank time, but not burn the legs up before the second half.
The gun went off and we started into the darkness. After the first 100 yards, the course does a quick left and then right turn putting you onto the main canyon road. I had pulled into the lead by that point and was cooking at a smooth pace. I could hear a least one set of breathing and footsteps not far behind me. I suspected it was Jeff. Went through the first mile at 5:16. A little fast, but I quickly settled down and found a rhythm.
During the second mile, the breathing and footsteps seemed to be getting closer. I knew Jeff was gunning for a 1:16-1:18 first half, so I was doubtful that it was him trying to move up on me. I just kept my pace and was content to let whoever it was continue to move up toward me. I figured it was either the fast guy Jeff was talking about on the bus, or some inexperienced young kid who was trying to be a hot shot early in the race. Went through the 2nd mile in 5:24. Good. I was aiming to be high 5:20’s for most of the first half.
Around the 2nd mile mark the dude pulled up to the left of me and we exchanged quick pleasantries. He was wearing a visor and Kinvaras. His name was Mike Anderson, though I didn’t get his name at the time. I asked him what he was shooting for and he said sub-2:30. He seemed content to settle into my pace. He strides seemed shorter and quicker than mine. I figured it wouldn’t take me to assess whether this guy was for real.
We ran shoulder to shoulder ticking off another set of 5:24’s for miles 3 and 4. Okay this guys is for real. I was feeling pretty good and light on my feet and he didn’t seem to be working very hard. I could tell that he was running to my pace. But had he not been there, I suspect my splits would have been a few seconds slower. I thought to myself, this is good. At least I’ll have someone to push me this year (which was not the case when I ran this race in ’11 and ’12).
Mile 5 has maybe a touch more decent and we hit a 5:22. I’m feeling good and not overworking, but I wanted to slow it back a touch.
Mile 6 comes in at 5:27. Just right. Mike is still matching me stride for stride.
Half way through the 7th mile, the road comes to a tee. The course takes a left turn and puts you on a slight incline. You have to be careful here. After 6.5 miles of steady descent, you get a little reality check and need to make sure you adjust effort accordingly for the change in gradient. The course goes up about a half a mile before you’re required to make a 180-degree turn and start heading back down. Mile 7 ticks in at 5:28 about 100 yards before the turn-around. Good. The effort didn’t feel hard.
Now the 180-turn and back down the canyon. It’s not long before we see 3rd place (Jason Howe) and 4th (Jeff) running up toward the turnaround. Mike and I are still moving shoulder to shoulder. Mile 8 is 5:31. Not bad considering the turn. There is an aid station shortly after the marker and I take my first Gu and get down a little liquid.
After the station, I get a couple steps up on Mike, but before long, he gets back up to and then quickly puts a couple steps on me. Then, I must have had a slow moment because he starts putting more space between us…Then more space. By the 9 mile mark he’s up on me 75-100 yards. Mile 9 is 5:30. Really? A little concerning because I seem to have slowed a bit and Mike is started to pull away in serious fashion. I feel okay, but not tremendous. I know that this same mile two years ago was faster. I want to bank a few more sub-5:30’s at least to the bottom of the canyon.
Mile 10 is a quick 5:14, I felt better during this mile than I did during 9, but Mike is still putting distance between us, and big time. Man, he’s cooking! I was thinking to myself.
I feel pretty good during miles 11 and 12 (5:25 and 5:15), but Mike is making me look silly and is still building his lead. He’s still in my sight though. I was thinking to myself, he is either having a great day and this race is going to be his if he continues this momentum, or he’s going to burn-up in the second half.
Right about the 12-mile mark, the course turns left and puts you on a pretty serious climb for about 200-300 yards. Right before the turn, there were volunteers handing-out gels and I grabbed one. The incline felt like it killed my momentum. There’s an aid station at the top of the hill right before you turn right onto a straight downhill section for the last 1+ out of the canyon. I struggle a little to get back on pace I can see Mike way up in the distance. He’s looking very strong. I notice that my stomach is off a little. Shoot, I really don’t want to have to stop. It’s not bad yet, but it could easily become a problem. I try to put it to the back of my mind.
I hit mile 13 in 5:42. Shoot! But it’s slower mostly because of the climb section. Soon, we come up on the half marathon start line (the half marathon hasn’t started yet). I see Bill Hiatt and the race director. The half marathoner’s are cheering. I go through the half around 1:11:30’ish. Not bad. In fact, I was pretty sure that it was faster than may half split from 2 years ago. Okay, 2:30 should be possible if things don’t totally go bad. However, I knew I wasn’t feeling as good this time around.
Mile 14 flattens out. I run past a few more buses still bringing runners to the start of the half. Mile 14 is 5:30. Felt better than 13, but let’s see how I can hold things together over the next 3-4 miles; the serious part of the rollers. That will be the test. Mike is at least 500 yards up on me and still looking great. I’m beginning to think this is going to be his race.
I’m looking forward to seeing my dad just after 15. I spot the Tahoe up in the distance right at the expected rendezvous point. Mile 15 checks in at 5:41. Not terrible, but not great. I have a smooth exchange of the EFS bottle with my dad. As I go past, I say to my dad, “that guy’s fast.” I wash down a swig and decide to take the Gu this time (in ’12 I didn’t need it).
Miles 16 and 17 are kind of tough. This is probably the low point of the race for me. I’m not feeling that great. Mike has a big lead, but is still in sight. I can ‘feel’ my quads. I probably pushed it a little harder than I should have during the first part of the race. Mile 16 ends of being 5:52 and 17 is 6:01, which was really discouraging. The sun is out and I could feel it. Fortunately, it was to our backs. I was just trying to focus on keeping it steady. Keep the legs moving. I had to push back those negative thoughts telling me this could be the beginning of the end and that this might end up being a bad race.
The worst of the rollers is done by 18. You start on a gradual descent the next couple miles. Slowly I started feeling a little more life come back into my legs. I notice that Mike doesn’t seem quite as far up on me as he seemed to be before. Is he cracking? Mile 18 is 5:42. At least better than 17.
Mile 19 feels even better. A little more speed is happening out of the legs. The gap on Mike is definitely shrinking. My mood is much more chipper than it was just a couple miles back. I’m pretty sure I can catch him, eventually. I come through mile 19 feeling strong and make another exchange with my dad for more EFS and Gu. “I’m going to catch this guy!” I tell my dad. I had to make a deliberate effort to omit the word “try” from that statement. It was a good move for my spirits. Mile 19 ticks in at 5:32. Good!
We’re running parallel to some train tracks. I hear a locomotive coming up from behind. It toots its horn then comes up from behind. I try to envision it pulling me toward Mike. The gap to Mike still seems to be shrinking, but at a slower rate than it did during the previous 2 miles. Mile 20 is 5:49. Feeling okay. This should have been faster though.
More of the same for mile 21. Feisty Mike not letting me catch him yet. I know there is a hill coming up as you pass under the freeway. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles that I think to myself.
As we approach the freeway, I see a white Tahoe that looks like my Dad’s up in the distance. Crap! If that’s him he needs to hustle to the hotel to get everyone else and rush to the finish line. This year we only had brought one vehicle. That left very little leeway time for him to help me out on the course and get back to hotel (uptown) and get back to the finish in order to watch me come in. That was the last I was going to let myself worry about it though. I needed to focus on getting through the rest of the race. I later learned that it was my dad. He had gotten detained by the train. Fortunately, he got everyone to the line on time.
Now, under the freeway bridge and working uphill. I’m not moving incredibly fast. Neither is Mike. I’m getting close. It shouldn’t be long before I catch him. Mile 21 comes in at 5:49.
Still working up the incline for the first part of 22. There is a noticeable headwind. Not bad, but enough to be noticeable. Moving closer to Mike. The incline crests, then a gradual decline resumes. Getting closer, closer, closer….. Mile 22 ticks in at 6:16. Yuck, really? But I really don’t notice it at the time. Good news is that I’m pulling up next to Mike. He realizes that I’m there and gives me a wave of the hand, almost as if he’s conceding for me to blow ahead. He seems pretty cooked. We acknowledge each other and I pull forward.
Now let’s get to the end. I’m feeling okay. Let’s focus on a steady pace. No rollers left and no more turns until the last half mile or so. Let’s just get into a good rhythm. I’m ready for my last Gu. There should be a race one at about the 23-mark, but I’m ready and decide to just take the insurance one I have onboard. I should be able to hold the lead to the finish. Unless Mike has something in his pocket, which I doubt he does, I should take this. Mile 23 is 5:52.
Miles 24 and 25 are just steady and cruising, 5:48 and 5:52. In 2012, I remember these were at least 10 seconds faster (there was a tailwind that year compared to a little headwind this time though). I take the first glance at the overall time on my watch: 2:20 something. This should end up alright.
Halfway through 26, you take a couple of left turns and it puts you on the final stretch running south to the finish at Ross Park. Mile 26 comes in at 5:56 though I wasn’t paying attention to it. I focus on trying to finish somewhat strong. I spot my wife and hear the family cheering. Cross the line at 2:28. Not bad.
Mike ended up finishing just over 2 minutes back in 2:30:04. Jason Howe took 3rd place in just under 2:37 (he won the Park City Marathon two weeks ago! 2:42) and Jeff Shadley came in a strong 4th place with 2:39:03.
Got a little fluid and food and said a few words for the announcers. Got a little post-race massage (felt awesome) while the kids played in the bounce houses. Went to the hotel to pack up and shower. Got back to the park a little after 11 for the awards. They did the overalls first which was good and we hit the road home. Made it home just before 3:30 PM.
P.M. – Since it had been since Wednesday since I had ridden, my buddy Scott and I went for a relatively easy ride along Wasatch to about the zoo and back (~33 miles). Certainly didn’t push anything.
All and all I feel real good about the day. Mission accomplished. Not a PR, but I’m happy with it. A 2:28 non-St. George is really good for me. I’m in a good position for St. George. My history suggests that if I can keep up some good training these next few weeks, there’s no reason to think I can go a couple minutes faster at St. George. We’ll see. Really looking forward to how it’s going to unfold.
Going to take a few days off running and focus on LoToJa which is next week. Really looking forward to doing that with my friends next week. This is such a fun time of year. I’m so grateful to be healthy and having fun!
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