Dog Town 1/2 Marathon 1:10:35 Warmed up for 4.5 with Clyde and Steven. Hoped that the hip would hold up and I could put in a decent effort. Didn't see anyone that looked much like they would put a threat to Clyde and I, but you never know. Wished Ally well on her 1st 1/2 and off we went. The weather was amazing; actually getting just a touch warm as I ended up throwing a bit of water on my head at two aide stations. 1-5:14, this mile threw us off a bit as neither Clyde or I were expecting that the course put us on a cement trail instead of the road, so we jumped off it as soon as we could. 2-5:18, we knew the first few miles would be quick - probably the quickest of the course. I wanted to get out decent after the good run last month at St. George, but was still a little worried about what a pace that quick would do so I held back a little - probably about right thinking back on it. 3-5:22, it was fun to see my mom and dad all over the course taking pictures and cheering us on. I little bit of a hill here as we came up the dump road, but it was nothing. 4-5:16, through Hell's Hole. Kind of a tougher mile, it actually hurt my hip a bit on the hard/steep rolling up and down. In my mind I thought that if Clyde made a move right here I could be in trouble. 5-5:27, back up along the Washington section of the River Trail. Clyde had said that this little up was going to feel super slow after the down sections. It wasn't too bad, but we obviously slowed a little here. The dirt to the bridge was a little too soft. 6-5:36, the first of the three bigger hills in the race - up the Dam Rd. Clyde had grabbed his stashed drink around 6 or so and that let a little gap start. He stayed just a second or two behind me, but I was thinking about trying to push harder in the next miles coming up. 7-5:41, finished up the hill (some of that stuff I put in mile 6 may have happened here in 7, because the split leads me to believe that this was the more hilly part). 8-5:15, with a step or two on Clyde I pushed down the Dam Road and got a few more seconds on him. I was feeling pretty good here. Even thought for a second about what a 1:10'something would take. 9-5:28, the second hill up around Chipman's. It got me a bit, but I really tried to take off on the backside - hit a very quick pace for the 2nd half of this mile. 10-5:53, 3rd hill - Majestic. Hit me a little harder than I thought. Tried to keep pushing because Clyde is not the guy you want hunting you down the last three miles of a race (I have learned that many times before). Again after peaking the hill I tried to hammer the down. Clyde said he timed here and the lead actually grew from 20'ish to around 40. 11-5:19, a cop came up and was chatting with me. I asked him how big the lead was and he told me about a quarter mile - I was thinking more like 10 seconds. The Majestic hill had worked me, but I really pushed down this backside mile hard. 12-5:21, I got a good view of Clyde here at a sharp turn and was happy because I had a side ache for a mile and it was getting worse. 13-5:22, pushed in to the finish pretty good, but my stitch made my breathing out of control. I tried to keep relaxing my breathing, but it was coming back pretty intense. Ended up with .05 to the finish (so a little short), just kind of chilled that in as the crowd was big and loud - kind of fun as they announced a Dog Towner winning the local half! In fact had a ton of support on the course: besides Mom and Dad, some of my kids ran and their families were out and of course I knew a lot of other people out there, so that was neat. Cooled down back toward Majestic and tried to catch Ally, but she had already passed. So I ran back and caught her for her last mile. She did a great job; running a 2:02 in her first half, when just this summer she was saying she would never run one. I think she'll probably come back for more. My boys and girls did great - the Boyers hit 3rd overall mens and womens and Devin ran good, Stoner too. I was really pleased with Byron and JP, Mikey, and Casey all got to experience their first half; and I think it will make them tougher for the upcoming track season and the rest of their running lives. (Rocket 270.5) Week was good. Hip held up okay. Got a good long run in, solid mileage, a few rest afternoons and had a good race (should mention that it was my fastest 1/2 since 2008 and 3rd fastest ever (I think); even a little short I haven't run much faster than that, and a truer course than either Provo River 1/2 or Bryce 1/2, so...). Goals for next week: Keep an eye on the hip (make sure I give myself at least one single to give it some rest). And for the rest... keep on truckin'.
| 