I didn't stay in Logan so I woke up at 3 and was picked up by my mom at 3:45 in order to get there by 5:30. Fortunately no delays, weather or traffic, during the drive so we arrived right on time and had an easy time getting our packets and onto the bus. Going into the race I really wasn't sure how I would fair considering my mileage has been relatively low since DesNews. So I was really banking on a couple of long runs and a few quality workouts. Maybe the lack of perfect preparation runs in the family because my mom is 66 and she hasn't run more than 10 miles in the last 30 days.
During my 1 mile warm-up I had the pleasure of running into Steve A. who was coming off a four hour flight from Chicago and a couple of weeks with 50 mile runs. Why he wanted to run I don't know but he miraculously managed to run a great race and finish second in masters. I finished the warm up and shortly after toed the line with the likes of Jake, John C., Jason, Steve S., Nate H., Josh and Ben. It was a solid turnout. The race got off on time for the first 4 to 5 miles Jake, Jason, Steve and I basically ran in a tight pack. After 5 or 6 Jake dropped back a bit and Steve forged ahead to put a gap of about 200 yards on me and Jason. I thought this was a bold move considering he put in a good effort at the Skyline Trail Marathon last Saturday. After we came out of the canyon at about mile 8 I seperated a bit from Jason although I didn't think that would be the last of him considering that he realed me back in and beat me at the Provo City. Surprisingly Jake was still no where to be found but sure enough at about mile 11.5 he methodically caught up and passed me and started reeling in Steve, who he finally passed just after mile 12. I didn't have it in me to stick with him but I was happy that he didn't pass me like I was stuck in mud and over the next 1.5 miles I thought I kept the gap respectable. I managed to close a bit on Steve and finished 13 seconds behind him and 24 seconds behind. I have never run this race and thought our times were good but they were no where near the top four times from last year (all under 1:07!). I guess I have a way of slowing down the field :) All in all I am happy with the effort and my place. Jake ran a great/smart race and Steve gets the eye of the tiger award for pushing the pace.
Cooled down 3 with Jake, Jason, Steve and John then hung out in the lovely weather waiting for the awards which promptly started at 10. TOU puts on a good race and I defintely plan to go back.
| 5:08 |
,5:09 |
,5:08, |
5:09 |
,4:58 |
,4:55, |
5:00 |
,5:14 |
,5:16 |
,5:14 |
,5:17 |
,5:32 |
,5:12 |
I am happy to announce that I just figured out how to paste my splits with very little formatting. $2 for the tip.
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