First half marathon race since Canyonlands 2010. First race as a master. I have been ramping up into actual training in the last few weeks in a desperate attempt to assure myself I can finish St. George in a reasonable time, but it all feels a little too little too late for that. However, I am really enjoying running with some purpose and this race is evidence of that. I nearly didn't run. The rain was pouring down hard when I woke up at 5am and there seemed to be no point in trying to pull some soaked heroics for a training race. I crawled back in bed and it felt nice. But the rain had stopped by 6 and with hope renewed I headed to the race. The race starts at Mt. Dell golf course and the first four miles are a long steady climb to the top of Little Mountain before descending Emigration Canyon to research park and the finish. I did a 2.5 mile warmup making trips back and forth to my car for various nonessential reasons. When the race started, I headed out with a group of 10 or so, no one I knew. It was slow. I decided someone needed to do something to pick things, so why not me? In a wanton display of hubris, I made a strong move and gain 10m on the field quickly. I was alone foe a bit before getting caught by the eventual winner. We traded leads pulling up the hill. Then he separated and I never caught him. As I neared the top of Little Mountain I was caught again, by second place guy. That would be the last position change. The miles up to Little mountain were 7:04; 7:37, 7:02, 7:23. Slow but it's a rough way to start a race. I felt good and in control heading down Emigration, but never fast. Miles were 6:09,6:11,6:13,6:06,6:06,:6:08,6:09,6:03. Last mile was flat and tough, 6:18. In retrospect I was slower at the start of the descent than I should have been--it's the steepest downhill section. I seem to have forgotten I was racing. I like the tight range of the miles in the canyon, I could have run a couple more of those I think. Whether I can put effort like this together in a marathon is an open question. Marathon pace is probably 6:35-6:40 in all likelihood. Great to see my little family at the finish--had fun cooling down with them, added another 2.6 of miscellaneous easy miles. | 