Run fast

12 from Liberty Park with Allie and Josh, James for a bit and even Rob joined us for the first lap.  Almost chilly.

Ran through Sugar House and did a 5K tempo at ~16 mins (5:18,5:08,5:05). For the tempo I ran south on Guardsman and 1500 E. so it was aided. Ended with two laps of SHP.

Up 15th and back on 19th.

Race warmup on TM. Did a couple of 800s and 400s at sub marathon pace. I wonder if everyone organizing easter egg hunts knows there is a race tomorrow.

I am happy with today's race. I didn't really know how I would hold up and how the new course would treat me. Considering the circumstances I think I ran a good race. I can't remember the last time I ran a 5:49 in the 2nd mile of a marathon. :) This course is definitely more challenging/slower than any other version. There are a few steep climbs early on plus the climbs through SHP, up 27th and up Keller Lane. That said, I did like hitting the downhill miles at 22 and 23 and not having to run up State Street.

At the start it became was apparent that the half would be fast as Smythe, Macios from Colorado, Hales, Matt, Mike, Ben, and Justin were all racing. For the full there was BJ, Bret Ferrier, Nate Hornok and a few other guys I didn't know. BJ had mentioned he wasn't in great shape but I knew Bret or Nate could beat if I didn't run a smart race.  The race started at a fast but not blistering pace through Federal Heights (first mile 5:25) then it climbed up to 11th avenue (2nd mile 5:49).  Miles 3 through 5 are the fastest as they go down 11th Ave., Memory Grove and stretch on State St. (5:06,5:06,5:03). I didn't feel like I was working too hard to hit those splits so I went with it. Mile 6 went up South Temple (5:33) which actually wasn't too bad then the course took a right on 9th south. After about a mile on 9th east we took a left up a steep hill for at least a quarter mile that took us up to 11th east. That hill along with the hill up to 15th after we split from the half marathoners weren't fun. Miles 8,9,10 (5:37,5:28,5:54). Mile 10 turned out to be my slowest mile of the race. After we got to 15th the course does the standard SHP loop (Riley sighting), south on 17th, up 27th to 20th, up Keller to 23rd then we turn around at the new Holladay Center. Coming out of SHP when I saw Riley was one of the low points of the race but by the time I hit Keller Lane I regained some energy. Once I hit 23rd I was able to put in some decent splits (5:30,5:25,5:28) for miles 16 to 18.  At that point I had no sense for where Bret was but I figured he was still within striking distance. The next mile went down 45th then looped past my sister's house on 15th east then climbed up Highland Drive right past Jake's house.  Needless to say, I wasn't getting lost. Right before the turn down 27th south the biker guy said that Bret was within a quarter mile which was a surprise but motivated me to push the pace down the hill. We then turned right on 6th east and then reconnected with the half marathoners. Catching up with them was also helpful for the moral. We looped around Liberty Park and ~1.5 miles later, including a James sighting, I was done. This is the last time I attempt a mile by mile recap :), you're welcome. The rest of the splits are below. After the race I was escorted in circles for a few interviews then they quickly held the awards ceremony. I appreciated that.

Overall a good day and my fingers are crossed that the body is still in one piece. Congrats to all of the other runners out there, Allie for winning the half, and to Bret for a very solid marathon debut only two weeks out from winning a trail 30k.