morning - warmed up with 2 miles down to the race start and around a little. Some of the usual suspects were there: Steve Olsen, Bill, and some other local yocals. Figured I should get off the shnide and win this one. Looked at the course and noticed it was about what I had planned it to be earlier in the week. Also realized it would not be fast.
Mile 1 - 5:39 (I think splits are right, my watch isn't in front of me right now - I'll come back and fix them). Some fellow I have never seen took off and Steve and I followed. A little incline back up toward the underpass.
2 - 5:25 Thought this other kid would peel off to the 5K. He didn't, but I had tested him on the inclines and knew he had nothing on hills. And as this course was basically one long uphill for the first half, I knew I had him.
3 - 5:48 Up Green Springs. Tried to keep pushing and pull away from the 2nd place guy. Steve was back there somewhere too, and I knew I needed to distance myself from him. It worked. I was able to pull away.
4 - 5:48 At 3.5 We finally started to even out before a downhill section. What a long climb for a race! I really pushed the down to extend everything. Hit the second half of the mile in about 5:10 pace.
5 - 5:47 Used the downhill to keep me going quick. Then the climb up the firestation hill. I run this a lot and know how tough it is, so I just kept pushing. My pace slowed to 7:30 or slower here for about .2 miles uphill. Then it took another .2 or so to get the legs back. But I knew the end was coming so I dug through it as best as possible.
6 - 5:25 Once I got my legs back, I really hit a good mile here for the end of a 10K. A little downhill and I tried to use it to dig in.
.2 - at 5:25 pace still.
Came in as the winner and broke my long streak of 10 or so races (besides marathons) where I have finished 2nd. Time was okay for the course. I am going to analyze it. Most people noted how there times were 2-3 minutes slower than usual. I think I had the legs today to really hit a good time on a faster course with good competition. But it was fun to run and win a hometown race and support "Dog Town"!
Went back and found my bro. and finished with him and then ran home after the long delay to the awards ceremony. Decent medal, golf and a cart at Coral Canyon (that will be an interesting experience!), and a night stay at a local hotel. Decent awards. (7.5 miles in Ohana) (2.5 in old Landreths) I just used the course tool analyzer and got results back that the course had a very similar pace feel to the Striders 10K where the top runners hit mid 34's. So that just confirms my thought that I could have got down into the 32's today (with a strong run and a fast course). I am looking for a 10K (any race actually) in the Salt Lake/Provo/Ogden area on the 16th of June or the 23rd of June. I will be up there either dropping or picking up my wife from the airport. Someone let me know if there is anything.
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