Keeping myself sane!!!

This was my fifth year running in this race, and it was as fun as ever.  I enjoy the community involvement and the small town feel.  Having breakfast provided at the finish is a nice bonus too! 

I never expect to pr on this course, but each year I try to set a new one for the course.  So far I have been successful in that, even though by only a few seconds.  In '08, '09, & '10,  I finished in the 1:29:49-1:29:14.  I guess I could be called consistent.  It was nice dropping below 1:29, even though by a slim margin.

I didn't keep track of my splits mile-for-mile, but instead, just tried to hold on for what my body would do for the day.  I took off with the lead runners from the start, and watched the eventual winner, Ben Van Beekum pull away from view.  By mile 2, I managed to pass a few runners and pulled into the 3rd. place position.  I hit mile 3 around 19:00, and felt happy with a 6:20 for those miles.  Unfortunately; I started getting some side stitches by mile 4 and I know my pace suffered slightly.  It was at this time I was passed by another runner.  I held on for all I could for the next few miles as the course had some ups and downs and a few turns.  Around mile 9, the biggest hill in the course came upon us, and I slowed way down to avoid going too anaerobic.  This is when I was passed yet again by another runner.  Oh well...

In the final 4 miles, I tried to keep a steady pace and kept runners number 3 & 4 in my sights.  I didn't have the kick to overtake them, but felt fortunate that they were the only ones I had lost my position to.  All details considered, it was a great day and a positive racing experience.

I really enjoy this race.  It is challenging and I don't expect a pr, but I find it quite enjoyable.  I hoped to finish somewhere close to my time of 3:10:00 from last year.  This did ultimately happen and if 19 seconds is not close, then I don't suppose I know what is! 

My splits last year were: 1:37:30 & 1:32:30.  I figured that if ran conservatively in the first half, then I'd have a good chance of pulling off a negative split comprable to last year.  This year I yielded splits of 1:35:26 & 1:34:53.  Not much of a difference, but I did feel good enough to enjoy the second half.  When I reached mile 22 my time was around 2:40.  I realized that I'd need to run below a 7:00 pace the final 4.2 miles to pull in near my goal time.  (In consideration of a couple aid station passes, and a few turns the course makes, which would ultimately cost me some time)  Fortunately enough; Foothill & South Temple have some good downhill and my Garmin showed between 6:45-6:55 at at few glances.

I had some great conversations with many other runners at the start and finish, the usual support of my wonderful wife, and my mother surprised me by dropping by.  It was an all around enjoyable day.

I felt really dissappointed with my performances at Ogden & Utah Valley, so I have since ramped up my training.  I guess any runner can attest that it's all a matter of fine tuning to discover what works best for the individual.  I had put in plenty of long distance runs, however, I have needed more speed work/Tempo runs.  I really believe this is why I have had a dreaded crash in the late miles of recent races.