Red Mountain 30k 2:10:59 Decided to run this just Weds. when Steve convinced me. Glad I did though. This was the most fun running I have had in awhile. Exactly my favorite type of running - fast, raceable, beautiful single track. All of the race was on the trails over by Santa Clara; different loops with a single aide station in the middle. It was a great set up. The St. George Running center did a great job with the race. Started off with Logan and his boys. Logan was doing the 50k and his team was doing the half. After a couple miles, Logan sat back and his boys pushed the pace. I decided to go with them and just see what happened. It was super pretty up on the first trail with the sun rise on one horizon and the moon setting over the snow covered hills on the other. Thatcher and Kale set a pretty good pace and I just chilled behind them and Sage. We hit the first aide at a 7:02 pace for the 7.5 miles. They peeled off to their finish and I pushed onto Barrel Roll. I was feeling pretty good and really just attacked the trail. It was very fun just out there on my own and flying across the single track. The trails are rolling and rocky, but you can still go if you push it. Came off of Barrel Roll dropping the ave to 6:57; probably around low 6:50 ave for that 8'ish mile section. Then pushed in on the final section - Upper and Lower graveyard over to Unity Park. Hadn't ever run here before and didn't know what to expect. It was harder than I thought, but I held a good pace. Maybe I was just getting a bit tired. Pushed it in and dropped the overall ave to 6:46; so another good section. Pretty pleased with how I ran; and really glad I did it. Like I said, it was a lot of fun. I really those trails over there. I briefly thought about just pushing the 50k after coming off Barrel, but wisely decided I hadn't better. My pace, lack of preparation and lack of consumption of calories and fluids would have come back to get me. James came in not too long after me; having a very good race. He is running really well right now. (VertK 418.5) A fun side note - some of my runners are looking to get a few comments here and there with some random, funny and stupid stuff. So this race reminded me of one of the most commented on post ever at the frb. Go back and take a look at http://holt.fastrunningblog.com/blog-06-06-2009.html for some good times and memories! Week was a mixed bag - started well with mileage, then went south for the end of the week until today's good run. But that is probably much of what it will be through track season at least. Goals for next week. Enjoy Spring break. Recharge a bit away from school and kids begging for grades and enjoy some yard work and running. | 