Got to Kanab, after hitching a ride with Bill and Kendrick, in perfect time to get packet, catch a ride up to the start and get in a good warmup. Problem was, once we got to the start, we weren't allowed to run on the road to warmup. So we ran about 20 little circles around this parking lot to get a 1.5 warmup in and that was enough for all of us - maybe not our bodies, but for our sanity! It didn't look like any competition was there and that was quickly confirmed as the race started and Bill and I were about 50 meters up after about 100 meters! 1-5:21 Just really eased into it. Probably should have pushed this mile a lot quicker to hit my goal time. But I felt like just easing into it. I imagine this was probably a sub 5 mile on a hard race day. 2-5:03 This mile was also a pretty easy mile and even the 5:03 was smooth, but I was into race mode now. 3-5:19 For a course that is supposed to be downhill, I wasn't expecting this. Mile 3 and almost all of mile 4 were a gradual, not killer - but slowing you down, uphill; so I was proud that I was moving along pretty well. Luckily I didn't need any water or anything; they were barely set up and snagged me a water which would have come just in time had I wanted it (but this was probably the only snag - the race was really well managed and had great awards - except one thing, later - and quite the buffet of tasty fruits and drinks at the end - I would highly suggest more people run this race. Back to the report... 4-5:27 started to slow with the hill, but still trying to gut out a pretty good time. 5-5:26 course flattened out, but even though I was pushing, I knew I was quite a way up and the racers edge had gone even though I tried to trick myself into thinking I needed to gap somebody coming on me. 6-5:47 made the turn off the highway and into Kanab and the breeze that had been swirling and slowing me a little turned into a gale (no not SLC again!), at the same time I got a killer side-ache and about doubled over while facing the toughest section of the course (not killer uphill, but again steady climb). Lost some time here, but what can you do. .2-5:45(pace). Course measured very accurate on the Garmin (6.17). Bill came cruising in for a good 2nd and Kendrick a solid 5th overall. Finished with a 3.25 cooldown. (Ohana 42.05) (Stratus 409.3)
Fun race, and I was pleased with how I did. Still room for improvement, but a good one overall. Glad to get the win and make it a Southern Utah race sweep for the Holt boys today (James won the Cotton Days 10K)! Got a big ol' rock thing for first and a river trip down Catarack (sp?) Canyon outside of Moab ($1000 value), but I would rather have won the $200 they gave out last year. Not to be ungrateful, but to go on this, I would have to pay another $1000 for at least my wife to go (I thought it was a trip for 4, but I misunderstood). So if anyone out there is planning on taking a river trip contact me and I give you a good deal!
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