AM - Woke up and got ready and caught the bus to the start of the race. Then hit a 1.05 mile warm up. I think I should have warmed up more. Started off well. Logan took off hard after Brandon Doolin (former CV runner, who ended up running very well), Italia, and a couple gunners. So I was kind of stuck by myself, but just a little. I knew I wanted to hit a quicker first 2 miles than last year, but not as fast a Logan 1-5:24, set up pretty good and I felt pretty decent. 2-5:24, still felt good about how I was starting and looked to close on Logan a little on the downhill as he settled down. 3-4:46, sounds insane, but is the same 3rd mile as last year. I thought it would be quicker, too quick, since I pushed a little to catch up to Logan so I could have him pull me for a little while. 4-4:54, Things are going well as we continue down the drop. 5-4:57, I was very pleased at how I was running time wise. My goal was to hit a solidly quick section here and use the downhill, it backfired on me later. 6-5:03, Logan noticed I was breathing very quick and heavy and advised me to keep it relaxed. I tried to, but it would immediately go back to a struggling lack of rhythm. 7-5:18 Logan took off as we hit the flat (I thought because he knew Vick was right behind us, but he didn't hear him, he was just racing hard). Vick and his buddy passed and it was like a switch went off, I totally lost it all. 8-5:27 I should have been so worried and mentally weak. Seeing a 5:18 and 5:27, I should have realized I was still very solid and recovered back to 5:20 which was the plan. Instead I gave up. Why? From here it all turned crappy. I am kicking myself that I let myself go so bad mentally. 9-5:44 When I should have been making a move on Vick's buddy who was just 30 meters in front of me, I only let myslef focus on how bad I felt. Can't do that! 10-5:39 I should have used my Gu around 6, but I was planning on using it at 8 and by that time my stomach was a mess. I was fighting every step not to puke or lose it, so I didn't dare take it - or any drinks. So by this point, my body was depleted. Another poor racing move on my part. 11-5:46 I did some math and tried to figure out where I was, and decided a solid last 5K would still set me up for something solid. But I didn't push on this mile at all, I was out of it mentally. 12- 5:58 Oh Boy! What was I doing. 13-5:35 Pushed this a little as I took a quick glance and saw Italia closing and not far behind him, Clyde. So I tried to refocus and this is what turned out. .1-(5:05 pace to finish), Obviously, I still had a little there because I hit a solid stride again for the last of 13 and to the finish to solidify my 5th, but I was weak. Crossed in 1:10:18. A little better than last year, so that's good. Still got a little money, so that's a bonus. Another 1:10 (4 or 5 straight now! So it is time to get over that bump) After a few minutes, I jogged out to help James and he was just around the corner, busting it is with a 6 minute PR and a great 1:22! I was way stoked for him. Then James, James, Clyde, Logan, and I went for a 2 mile cool down. (Ohana 89.5) I have mixed emotions about the race as I think about it. The effort: good for part of the race, poor for part - 1st half may have been a little quick and it hurt me later. But how do you break though when you never push the limit? So I tried and it bit me. Mentally: pretty weak. It is always the most frustrating thing to me when I give up mentally. I knew a great time would hurt; I tried to convince my body and mind of this, but I wasn't ready. I think some more solid finishing runs will get me more ready for this. The time: Okay time. Can't yell at it, but I could have easily been so much better. I think about last year though, and realize that I wasn't too pleased with my performance here last year either, but it got me ready to run stronger at Provo and then SGM. So I take from this that I ran a little faster than last year, I have a much stronger base than last year, and with great training partners to push the tempo now the next two months as we hit 100-115 mpw, things are going to be great at St. George!
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