Well coming into this one I had alot of good hopes of doing well. Since I have done a few long runs up there with some friends. Sadly at a slower pace around the 10 min mile pace. And so at least I knew the course. Or at least most of it. Started out running with 4 others. And had a bet going with a friend from Texas MarcE. And after the first mile he started pushing the pace some. Where I feel I should of gone just a bit slower. And so later it burnt me out. Was running well with him until I hit the rail trail and had to hit the PoP. And Marc said he wasnt going to speed up but wasnt going to wait. Well that was the last I saw of him. I tried to catch up and passed a few people tring and well. Never did see him. At around mile 10 another friend caught up to me from the group i started with. And I ran with him for about 2 miles. Basically until the next aid station. He drank and ran through it. And I stopped to drink. And waved him away. I was able to stay a ways behind him till the next aid station. And that is the last I saw of him. From like 13-16 is quite steeper then the 2% grade we had been running on the rail trail and that is where I really started to struggle to keep the pace. But had my spirits lifted when I saw 2 runners coming down the road right before the mile 15 marker and then just after seeing Andy run by. He looked very good and strong and it helped pick me up and get me to the top of deer valley. That is where a few more passed on the way up. And I was able to hold my spot again for the downhill. Till I got to empire where I decided to walk up it. And there is where the calves started to cramp on the uphills. I have had cramping issues in all but my first marathon. This was going to be the same for this one. I have tried alot of different things to have no cramping with no luck. As of yet. So with that said. Each time there was a incline even crossing over a bridge my calves would start cramping up. At which point I just want to finish the race and didnt really want to push things to hard since I have another race in 4 weeks at ToU. So when they would start up I would just walk it. And run when they were gone. I was passed by alot of people but really didnt mind. I was passed a bit later by the other 2 people I started out running with and tried to run with them. But lost one on a bridge with a incline and another on another slight incline. I really enjoyed the run and was happy to see everyone at the first and end of it. Saw Cal and Andy. Which both really did awesome. The next race I have I am going to run it alot slower with my dad which will be his first marathon in 4 weeks and then 2 short weeks later run SGM where I will push it the best I can. | 