Mary Okerlund

2015 REVEL Big Cottonwood Half Marathon
Published: Sept. 13, 2015, 6:10 p.m.
  1. Overall Rating

    5/5 Stars

  2. Describe your race day.

    A perfect day for a run on a perfect course for my first half. Starting from the buses being there to pick us up to the finish line. Revel Big Cottonwood was very organized and prepared very well for the amount of runners involved. I do wish I had trained harder than I did so that I could get a better time, but my goal was to cross the finish line...and I did that. I loved running along side my cousin the entire way and also meeting a few new friends. This was an overall great, unforgettable experience. Thanks!!

  3. Did you PR?

    This was my first half, so yes, my first PR, and SLOW at that with 3 stupid potty breaks and line waiting, but again, my goal was to cross the finish line still happy, and that I did!

  4. How would you describe the course?

    Absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. A nice steady downhill that just keeps you coasting along! Loved the course!! Fall leaves changing, creeks running, mountainous pine smells. Perfect!!!

  5. Tell us about your training.

    I'm ashamed about my training. I had decided to withdraw from the race 3 weeks prior to the date because of no training during the summer except an occasional bike ride. My husband and cousin kept me in, and I'm so glad I did. So yes, only 3 weeks of training, and no down hill training only level dirt trails. The furthest distance I trained was 6 miles of a mixed run/walk and 21 miles of bike riding. I should have trained more in advance to be better prepared, but it was still fine for me. I could have easily pushed myself harder for a better time, but I also enjoyed taking in the scenery and visiting with my cousin all along the way.

  6. What advice would you give future runners?

    Take it all in, train with some downhill runs as well as the flats. The elevation was not a problem at all, so don't let that scare you off. Dress warm with clothes you won't miss leaving behind.

  7. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

    I would have liked to have taken in more of the local sites, but family commitments kept us from touring around. We traveled from central Utah and had our own children's ball games to attend, so we didn't get much extra playing in. The massages at the end of the race sure looked tempting. The volunteers were great and earned a big pat on the back for their efforts in making sure the runners were taken care of. Thank You!!!

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