It was just two days after the Timpanogos Half Marathon that I tackled the Memorial Day Half. My legs were still pretty shot after the rugged Timpanogos race so I approached this flat out and back course as a leisurely run.
I kept a pretty steady pace for the first 10 miles or so. It was at that point I noticed the runner in front of me was starting to struggle. She'd sprint ahead then double over to catch her breath. I think any runner out there can empathize with this. There are races that are great, and ones that ... well, stink. Mile 11 of the Memorial Half brings you right up to the finish line, but then you have to take a sharp left to loop around the park to the back side of the finish line. I remember this mentally destroyed me the first time I ran this race (this year was my third year) because it's so hard to run away from the finish line when it's so close!
And it obviously defeated the runner in front of me. As soon as we turned left away from the finish, she grabbed her hips, dropped her head, and looked like she was about to cry. I felt for her -- I'll admit there's been a time or two I've had to choke back a few tears. I approached her, introduced myself, and said let's finish off these last few miles together. I kept her updated about our current pace and distance remaining as we pounded out those last two miles. Even with slowing down on those last two miles, I finished in 2:12. Not as fast as usual, but I got to do a little pacing and made a new friend. ;)
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