This was my first road race since Ogden so I didn't really know what to expect. I feel like I am in good shape but I haven't done anything to build up some speed. Considering that, I am fairly happy with the result, i.e. 2nd place just behind Kyle Perry and I was only 2 seconds slower than last year. Recap: I got up at 3:15, out the door at 3:45 and got to the start at 5:45. As I was waiting I won the raffle for a watch. Lucky me! The race started only 10 minutes late this year (last year a bus broke and we waited for 45 minutes). Kyle, Seth and I went off the front and we stayed in a tight pack for about 5 miles. It was apparent that Seth and I were working harder than Kyle so it was just a matter of time before he pulled away. Sure enough, at the third aid station he put about 100 ft. between us so me and Seth were left to battle for 2nd. At the same aid station that Kyle broke away I mistakenly grabbed a fruit punch Powerade instead of water and appropriately dumped it on my head (the jersey is in the wash now). Seth stuck right on my tail, almost too close for comfort, for the next five miles and then suddenly right at mile 10 he dropped back and said, "go get him". Either he was spent or he was just planning to run a hard 10 mile effort and jog the remaining three - not really sure. After Seth dropped back I took a Gu and started to feel better. I did my best to reel in Kyle in the last three miles - he started to really slow in the last two- but I came up about 30 seconds or so short. It was surprising to see him only finish in just under 1:09 after seeing his 1:06:43 at the windy Utah Valley Half. He must have had an off day or purposely took it easy. This course it definitely aided (net drop of around 1,000 ft) but it is a little deceiving because there are a bunch of little rollers thrown into the downhill that really affect your momentum. After the race I had a great 8 mile cool down with Justin, who ran a great race and just finished behind Seth. We ran a respectable 6:45ish pace, talked about our other past time (road biking) and we totally dropped a crazy neighbor guy who has probably never run more than 5 miles in his life. I also saw Melody for a brief moment as she dominated another 5k. I really enjoy tacking on some good miles after races because it feels easy and I am convinced it has a great training effect. Now I just need to find a 5k or 10k (maybe the Tour de Run) for next weekend. Then I will be set to go for the DesNews Marathon. Splits were pretty even. A little disappointed with mile 12 because it had some good downhill. The last mile climbs a bit so that split was expected. 5:14, 5:13, 5:15, 5:12, 5:10, 5:00, 5:11, 5:12, 5:16, 5:18, 5:15, 5:21, 5:23, 5:45
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