"PRIOR PREPARATION PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE"

UVM is UVM, is UVM. This race really has the potential to be a really great race in Utah and around the racing community in the future. This was my second UVM and probably the tougher of the two.

Dear Ms. Lisa picked up my bib and met me with it on Saturday morning prior to departing to the starting area. During the exchange period she introduced me to her two new running padawans Dina and April who were running their first marathons. I love first timers, it takes so little time to aim them in the right way to have a great first experience!!! As we were headed to the bus we chanced a meeting with the wonderfully delightful "Mel" and his running crew and rode up to the starting line after a gleeful send off from Ms. Teena and BeMo.

At the starting we did all of our pre race prep and I for one felt very good about the days race to come. I had previously stated that I wanted to run about a 4 hour, or just under a four hour race. This being my fourth marathon in the past 105 days I felt a bit apprehensive about getting it under way and keeping up with the goals that I had set for myself.

Anyway, we all got ourselves ready in our respective ways, made our final plans and said our good luck good byes and then it was off to the big blow up starting line that started to deflate just before the race was to start. There was this poor hunter in his big Dodge truck with his hunting dowgs and four wheelers that got caught at the starting line as the big blue arch deflated....he had to wait till the hoard of runners had taken flight before he could get out of the confusion. Poor guy, all he wanted to do was go have a peaceful day hunting with his dowgs!

OK, they re-inflated the arch and the race was off and running. The ambient temperature was perfect with no wind to speak of. What I would say were perfect racing conditions. I started my race with a plan and tried to stay with it to the end. But hence, somewhere out there about 15 miles the wheels started coming off the wagon and I slowed down and wasn't holding the pace I had set for myself. I think I was just tired and somewhat beat up from the past few marathons and it caught up with me out there on the "mean concrete" of the UVM.

Ya know what I find so neat out there running, this was my 38th marathon and I thrive on trying to be a helper and motivator and when it came for my turn in the hurt barrel all my good deeds and thoughts came back to me when my fellow friends and runners passed my slow ass but lent a helping hand and a quick motivating word of encouragement!!!!! It lifted my spirits and sent me to the finish line with revived focus and will to get the job done.....I finished with a third worst marathon time of 4:01:21......I'm not complaining about this time, I'm just sharing it.

The fun really started at the finish line, I got to see Ms. Lisa finish, she was totally in charge of her running destiny. She has now totally taken charge of her mental, physical and spiritual race components. She is the complete marathon runner! Now, watch her go get her BQ and fulfill the dream!

Now UVM is in the bag and I (we) have 44 days to get all the ding and dangs all healed up and get the program in order to run the Des News Mary on July 25, 2011. I will run this Mary smarter as my fifth Mary this season. My goal will be to get into the top 3 in my AG and finish under 4 hours!

Hey gang, I love you all and excuse me If I didn't mention you by name in this note, but It was a great day of running and fellowship at the UVM until I found out that the "Bag Monkeys" had broken my clothing bag and lost my car key and cell phone. How do they do this?

Chow-boing...see ya at the Des-News..............