TOP OF UTAH HALF
Another race down, and another deposit into the bank.
Headed up to Logan Friday afternoon with Jon, Riley and Corey. Before we got our gear at the expo we stopped at the VOORAY outlet in Logan and I went nuts! Lots of killer deals and pretty awesome stuff! Great support from a growing local company. If your somewhat intrigued check out the gear at Vooray.com
Got our bib and saw that Anthony wasnt on the list of runners and we lost Bryant that night due to a hamstring strain. But gained Mike Hardy and Trevor Ricks, both recently graduated from Weber State.
Stayed at my cousins house in Logan, grateful for that, saved us alot of time, and grateful again not having to drive up in the morning.
Got to the start of the race with about 40 minutes to go time Managed a couple miles with some bathroom breaks in the secret bathrooms. Always nice not waiting in line,
Race:
As soon as the gun went off the pack seperated almost instantly. I found myself chasing Jason and Riley which is nothing new to me. But I knew the pace they were going and wanted to get out to a quick start for the first couple of miles. I noticed after the first mile that this race could go south very quickly. Legs just didnt have the pop like they did in the Hobbler race and breathing was a little deeper than I wouldve liked it to be. So after a mile I slowly faded from a 5:03 first mile to a 5:16 second mile. Around mile 3 I could hear footsteps coming to me and I thought it was just one guy coming. Took a look back and could see Fritz and Nate then shortly behind was Mike and Benjamin.
Hit mile 3 in 5:13 and at the same time got passed like I wasnt even moving. Went from 3rd to 7th just like that. I was like what the heck is going on I am still clipping a good pace but these guys are moving.
Mile 4 was 5:16, again the group is gapping me.
Mile 5- 5:05; maintained that gap and the legs are feeling like they are coming around but my breathing was way off. Sort of felt the same way on my Tuesday pickup, legs felt great but breathing was off.
By now at mile 6 - 5:00, I managed to catch Nate and ran with him for a half mile and told him we need to work to catch the group ahead but wasnt feeling the best at that point.
Mile 7- 5:02 again another great clip and managed to catch Benjamin, he saw me coming and when I passed he immediately attached behind me. I sort of made a surge because I really didnt want anyone drafting at that point especially when I just made the gap.
At mile 8-5:07, I caught Fritz and briefly talked with him, so much respect for Fritz. One of those runners that I will always look up to and just grateful to hit the roads and compete with him when he is there. Fritz is a top notch act and talent. Great guy! We worked together for about a mile then I made a slight gap on him but not much.
At mile 9-5:15 I thought maybe since I reeled in 75% of the group that passed me at mile 3 that I might be able to catch Mike. but that was briefly lived because Mike was running a great pace and when I hit mile 10 at 5:16 he had a solid gap still and I knew he wasnt slowing. Also mile 10 Fritz is still there so I knew that 4th wasnt in the bag, that there was work that needed to be done still.
Mile 11-5:25, Starting some gradual climbs and my legs just felt beat! At the same part I am not strong on hills quite yet, being doing some work but not there. I take a quick look back at this mile and saw Fritz coming. I knew the inevitable was going to happen.
Mile 12- 5:40, Fritz caught me in this mile. I ran with him for a second but as we took the last right and climbed once more before the last left and downhill finish. He had gapped me by about 10 meters. I knew if I wanted to fight for the 4th spot I needed to catch and hold on for dear life. By the end of the mile I ended up catching Fritz.
Mile 13- 5:10, Battle to the finish! I made a decision that at the beginning of the mile that I needed to push and hope I didnt fade at the end. So I made a quick surge on Fritz well it felt like a surge at least. I managed to get a little space and rolled into the finish in 4th. Managed 49 seconds for the last .20
Overall bitter/happiness for my effort today. Even though it wasnt a PR it was the fastest time for me on the course. I really feel like the smoke in the air played a little factor with the breathing, and there was no tail wind that you normally get coming out of the canyon.
Really just glad to push and maintain a solid pace when the course wasnt running as fast as I thought it should. Glad to see my running family. Awesome job by everyone. Congrats to Riley on making the win look easy again.
After the race cooled down with Riley, Ken and Denver for 6 miles.
Awesome mileage for the day!
| 