How many race reports begin with "I didn't know what to expect from this race"? For this race, I really didn't know what to expect. After being sick a few weeks ago and virtually no running for the last 3 weeks I was extremely concerned about how I would do. When I did run, I was barely able to get my pace under 8:00/mile. Feeling like I was just being a big baby and had to start pushing myself again I decided that I would go out at a decent pace and try to hold on. Stayed the night in Lehi so that we could get an extra hour of sleep. Other than my legs feeling a little sore, I felt pretty good when I woke up. Went outside to check the temperature and it was slightly warmer than I had hoped. At the top of the canyon, it was a little cooler and the weather turned out to be good for most of the race. The gun went off and I started the usual bobbing and weaving to get to my proper place in the pack.
Mile 1: 6:10 - The first mile is a screaming downhill and I was moving really well. This was a good sign considering how I have felt lately. I knew this was way too fast but considering the downhill and adrenaline I was just going to go with it.
Mile 2: 6:47 - The course leveled out a little and I got into a more comfortable pace. Breathing was more labored than it should have been.
Mile 3: 6:43 - Similar elevation change as mile 2. Just trying to hold a good 1/2 marathon pace.
Mile 4: 6:40 - Much of the same.
Mile 5: 6:20 - A little steeper downhill. I focused on my leg turnover. Every once in awhile I would slip back to my loping stride but would then force myself to take shorter, quicker strides. I was able to pass a few people as I did this. I also took my first GU at the aid station. Earlier than I normally do but had to take advantage of where the aid stations were.
Mile 6: 6:22 - Very similar to mile 5. I was starting to feel some burning in my legs and knew that the downhills were taking it's toll. Happy to make it this far at this pace.
Mile 7: 6:32 - Still going and surprised I was able to maintain the pace. Hit the halfway mark at 42:30 and thought that I could still come in around 1:26 after I gave back a little once the course flattens out.
Mile 8: 6:46 - We left the canyon and the course is beginning to flatten out. It got warm through here but quickly cooled again once we hit the trail and had a good amount of tree cover.
Mile 9 : 7:18 - A lot more uphill than I expected. I really struggled with the climb. My breathing became really labored and the effects of all of the downhill reared it's ugly head. My focus was to get to the top of the hill and then hope that I would recover well enough to take advantage of the downhill. The highlight of the whole race happened in this mile as I saw Smooth ahead of me. I didn't think it was her at first because I was shocked that it was this late in the race when I caught up to her and could not believe how well she was moving.
Mile 10: 7:28 - My legs would not respond when I asked them to move again after cresting the hill. There was just nothing there. I'm sure the lack of mileage this month is the culprit in addition to the pounding of the first half of the race.
Mile 11: 7:18 - Having given up on the race, I just wanted to finish under 1:30. It felt like I was crawling. Everybody else must have experienced the same thing because very few people passed me.
Mile 12: 7:31 - Just plugging along.
Mile 13.1: 7:52 (7:09 pace) - At the 12 mile mark, I knew I had to start moving if I wanted to come in under 1:30. Picked up the pace a little. I'm not sure of my exact time because I forgot to stop my Garmin but I'm pretty sure it is just under 1:30.
Bummer of a race but it is exactly what I expected. I had hoped for 1:25 but knew that it was not going to happen. The good news is that I was able to hold a decent pace and push myself for 2/3 of the race. Considering how I have felt for the last 3 weeks that is a big improvement. Maybe I was just being a baby and was afraid to put in the effort I should.
I would have liked to stay at the end a little longer to see Smooth finish but I had kids waiting in the hotel and I needed to get back to them. Hoping that she finished as strong as she looked when I saw her on the course. | 