Warning: Report contains graphic material (GI upset and lame excuses) and is not recommended for the weak of stomach and stronged willed Pre-Race: Arrived in Utah at Thursday at about 5:00 pm. The drive to Ogden was about 30 minutes. Checked into the hotel and relaxed. Did not sleep real well. Friday was beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky. We went the expo which was good. Jeff Galloway, 1972 10,000 meter Olympian spoke. He is the father of the walk-run marathon. We stayed for awhile and then drove the course. Went to bed at 9:00 pm, slept ok, though I woke up at 3:00 am and could not get to sleep again. Out of bed at 4:00. Disappointed to see temp is expected to reach 90. Praying we will be done by the time it gets to hot. Take a shower in sun screen, Vaseline the eyes, and ample Icy Hot to the quads and hamstrings. 4:45 hit the bus. It is dark and I am riding next to a lady who is doing her 5th Ogden Marathon. Otherwise not much conversation. Reach the top at 5:30. Only problem is we have an hour and half to wait. The start was at about 6,000 feet in a valley surrounded by mountains to each side. It is freezing, temp is about 35 and I wished I had brought gloves/heavier shirt. The have about 50 port-johns in a horse pasture with music blaring. The also were starting camp fires to keep the troops warm. Nothing like stinking like camp fire for the next 5 hours, but it was pretty cool. Tried to stay warm and about 6:50 I went to the start. They had specific area based on pace and I settled in between 7:00 and 8:00. Unfortunately, the herd passed through the start and people pretty much lined up where ever they wanted. It got too packed to move up, oh well. Race starts at 7:07. Nothing like being there freezing for an hour and a half and the race starting late, but what can you do Mile 1 7:10 Starts down hill. As I feared, about 300 people running about a 9-10 minute pace I have to pass. About half way through, I finally have some space. Look at the Garmin and back things off, as I am at 6:45 pace Mile 2 7:13 Similar to one, gentle down hills. Sun is now up and it has warmed considerably. Still, my hands are freezing Mile 3 7:12 Flat mile. Sun is fully up. Can see Wolf Creek, Snowbasin. Beautiful Mile 4 7:12 Hands are warm and I am really stating to sweat. Hit the water station. Both hamstrings start to whine. I have been fearing this quietly for the past 10 days. I have been stretching and using Icy Hot in anticipation, but I don't know where this came from and I really hoped this would be gone with the taper Mile 5 7:09 A little down hill. First GU just before 6 Mile 6 7:12 Mostly flat. I am trying to ignore my hamstrings. Opens into a little bit of a valley. I am really trying to take in the scenery as it is gorgeous Mile 7 7:12 Much of the same Mile 8 7:17 Small up hill, mixed with flats. See a lot (20) of spectators. They all seem to have an American flag and loud stereos Mile 9 7:21 Much of the same Mile 10 7:20 I really start to notice my hamstrings. I am just hoping they last. I know 16 through 23 are down hill and will take more quads then hamstrings. I am starting to worry a little bit Mile 11 7:20 Much of the same. Take second GU Mile 12 7:19 Water beak. Hit the town of Eden and closing in on the Half Marathon start Mile 13.1 Half way home. 1:34:50 Hammies are fading. A lot of people in Eden cheering. I really am having bad vibes about the second half. I keep telling myself its down hill. Getting ready for the only hill. Little consolation, though I hit a PR for the half by 24 secs Mile 14 7:28 Up hill. Asked 4 spectators if they would carry me. They said no Mile 15 7:38 Up hill. At this point, we are going around a resevoir. It must be in the 70's and not a cloud in sight. I am starting to feel it. Take another GU Mile 16 7:20 Gearing up for the down hill. Start getting abdominal cramps Mile 17. 7:28 Down hill is here and thank God. My hamstrings are screaming and my cramps are worse Mile 18. 7:25 It is really down hill, but I can't push it liked I hope. My hamstrings are killing despite the down hill. I start to feel nauseous and then uncle Ralf pays a visit. I feel it slipping past and start to hyperventilate a little. Really trying to slow things down a little Mile 19 7:48 Good Buy goal, hello puke, 2 more times. It's hard to enjoy, but it really is a beautiful valley I am polluting Mile 20 7:39 Try to drink mote water, but more puke. If you have wondered, Power-Aid and GU make a really odd color when it goes in reverse Mile 21 8:10 Walk a little and for the 1st time, actually go to the side to throw up. I really feel like crap Mile 22 8:34 More walking, last of the vomit. No more fluids Mile 23 7:28 No idea where this mile came from. We are out of the valley and into Ogden. A sign on the side of the street held up by a young lady says "You are almost there, let it all hang out!" I thought it would be great to be able to puke here, but I have nothing left. So I pulled up my shirt to show my gut which actually got quite the reaction and cheering. Anything to keep my mind off how bad I feel Mile 24 9:05 The wheels have come off. We are now in a park, flat, and lots of people are dying. Keep passing/get passed by the same 5-8 people. My entire legs are killing. I had thought I would be able to beak 3:20, but I don't even care at this point. Mile 25 8:55 Feels just like 5:55, only in slow motion Mile 26 9:09 Downtown. End seems to be 5 miles away. I come upon a guy who looks worse then me. I ask if he wants to run together and he starts to run again. He tells me he can't believe how hot it is and how wishes he would have not run a race so quickly after Boston..He starts to walk again Mile 26.38 The end. Finally 3:22:13 7:40/avg 98th out of 1800 plus, 15th out of 140 ish in age group. Official time was 3:22:50, but they had trouble with the timing and some people actually had chip times which started prior to the official race start, which is a little more than annoying considering the Garmin read 26.38 as well, but it really doesn't matter. New PR, but I am disappointed. My goal was 3:10:59, which I have come to the conclusion may be a little unrealistic at this time. I am more disappointed in the fact I crashed and burned so bad, again.. 3 marathons in a row where I ended with 9 minute miles. I really think had I had a goal of 3:20, I could have run it in 3:18. I guess back to the drawing board. As always, the first 10 minutes after, I say why in the hell do I do this and never again, but three hours later in Park City while drinking a beer I start to think about Boston again and just how I am going to train harder and smarter. We'll see..