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Sand Hollow Marathon

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Location:

Logan,UT,USA

Member Since:

Apr 27, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

Region 9 Cross Country Champion 2004 (5K: 15:42)

400m: 00:54 (running start)

800m: 2:03 (7th place State Meet 2005)

1500m: 4:30 (2nd place Utah Summer Games 2004)

1600m: 4:31 (4th place State Meet 2005)

3000m: 9:55 (1st place Utah Summer Games 2004)

3200m: 9:52 (4th place State Meet 2005)

5K: 15:39 (2nd place Enterprise, UT Pioneer Days 2004

 

 

10K (very aided): 33:33.3 (8th place USG 2008)

15K:  53:04 (6th place Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run)

Half Marathon (very aided):  1:10:38 (5th place, Provo Halloween Half)

Marathon:  2:38:15 Top of Utah Marathon 2010 (6th Place Overall, 1st Local and 1st 19-24)

Won the 1st Annual Sand Hollow Marathon in 2:41:22

Ultramarathon:  Logan Peak Trail Race 2010:  28 miles, 7261 vert. 4:23:48 (2nd Place), El Vaquero Loco 50k 2011: 6:02 (2nd Place)

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

 

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Go where the trail takes me.

 

Personal:

My hometown is Hurricane, UT but I currently live in Logan, UT where I attend Utah State University.  I am working on a PhD in Education, with an emphasis in Technology and Engineering Education.

You can also check out my blogspot running blog where I post race reports.

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Type A2 Racers Lifetime Miles: 219.40
Brooks Cascadia 6 (Green) Lifetime Miles: 527.90
Brooks Launch (Orange/Yellow) Lifetime Miles: 250.40
Altra Lone Peak (Yellow/Gray) Lifetime Miles: 94.60
New Balance MT110 (Black) Lifetime Miles: 75.00
Altra Superior (Green) Lifetime Miles: 103.30
Brooks Cascadia 8 (Blue) Lifetime Miles: 185.10
Trail 2013 Lifetime Miles: 140.15
Road 2013 Lifetime Miles: 121.35
Altra Lone Peak B (Yellow/Gray) Lifetime Miles: 65.70
PI M2T (Orange/Blue/Grey) Lifetime Miles: 27.50
Trail Miles 2015 (Start May) Lifetime Miles: 64.00
Road Miles 2015 (Start May) Lifetime Miles: 31.50
Race: Sand Hollow Marathon (26.2 Miles) 02:41:16, Place overall: 1, Place in age division: 1
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
0.0026.2026.20

Woke up bright and early at 6 AM to get ready for the race.  Ate a banana and a slice of bread along with drinking some of my Revive/Emergen-C mix.  Drove down to the start with a half hour before the race.  The race was very small--only about 100 runners give or take, and it didn't look like I would have too much competition other than Steve Hooper and a couple of the other SGRC guys.  The course was an out-and-back, going through the Hurricane Fields, making a large swing around Sand Hollow Reservoir, with a short section through a golf course community and then back the same way.

The gun went off, and away we went.  I wasn't sure how fit I was so I took off pretty easy, but still quickly built a little gap on Steve within the first mile.  I could still hear them talking behind me, but I didn't think they were racing that hard so I just settled into a nice relaxed tempo for the long haul.  My family was able to watch this race in its entirety, which was nice, and they were at many spots along the course. 

I did the same thing this race as TOU last year...only worrying about 5-mile splits.  My goal going into the race was 2:45.  The first 3 miles were expectedly slow, but I must have picked it up quite a bit because I was right on for my 5-mile split. 

Up until this point, the course was almost all completely flat through the Hurricane Fields with only one small hill, but shortly after the 5-mile mark the course climbs a long ridge before it drops steeply into the Sand Hollow basin.  This is one of the most beautiful portions of the course, and although the grade was mildly difficult I enjoyed this part.  These were my old stomping grounds through my stint in high school XC and track.  I lost some time on this section, but gained it all back and then some dropping into Sand Hollow down the hill that apparently has been named "Nemesis."  I must have been going faster than I thought, because I came across the 10 mile mark 3 minutes faster than my goal pace.  I was pleased at this, though, knowing the road back would be more difficult.  I was glad to have a little cushion.

The next 5 miles were more difficult, with rolling hills and several turns to take away momentum.  But I came across the half about 2 minutes ahead of pace at 1:19 and some change.  I forgot to look at my split for 15 miles, but I expect it was similarly ahead of pace. 

After this point, I settled in for the most difficult section of the course:  climbing back up out of Sand Hollow.  I was already beginning to feel the fatigue, but I was able to work through it and lay down some good solid miles before arriving at the base of Nemesis at mile 18.  This hill was a beast.  It climbs about 250 feet in just 0.7 miles.  Nothing compared to some of the stuff you face at races like Logan Peak, but at road-marathon pace and at mile 18 it presents a significant challenge.  After climbing hard for 100 meters or so, I decided the best plan of attack was just to last through it, going as slow as necessary, and worry about going fast again once I got to the top.  This worked nicely, and I was able to get a good tempo going again once the course turned downhill again.  The long downhill was very welcome and I was able to really put the hammer down on these miles.  I came across the 20 mile mark with a nice 4 minute cushion. 

Immediately after the 20 mile mark, the course makes a final descent with the rest being level with only one short up-and-down hill at Angel Heights.  I wanted to just get through this section as fast as possible and get as far as possible before my tired legs gave out.  I kept waiting for that moment to happen, but other than a couple of lapses it never really came.  I was tired, but still had plenty of energy and spring in my legs to maintain a competitive pace.  There started to be some people cheering me on during the last mile and I really pounded it hard to the finish.  Finished in 2:41:22 in first place. 

My first marathon win!  The field was small, and not all that competitive, but I was very happy with that time and the win.  I expected to struggle to clear 2:45 on this challenging of a course, so I was very happy to get a time that was only 3 minutes and some change off a PR.  The race was very well run for an inaugural running with only a few minor glitches.  The race director came up to me after the finish and asked how I liked it and if I had any suggestions.  I told him a couple of small things, but overall I was very impressed with how smoothly it was run.  The only big problem was the weather, which was very rainy for most of the runners--but of course that was outside of his control.  The weather was actually very nice for 24 miles of the race.  A tad chilly, but overcast and really not that bad.  Overall it was a very enjoyable race, and it was also a nice excuse to come down and enjoy the warmer weather and time with family.

Saucony Type A2 Racers Miles: 26.20
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Kam on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 15:58:37 from 174.23.120.174

I am very impressed. Nice job.

From Paul on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 17:51:58 from 24.10.141.104

Really nice job. Congrats on the non-aided PR.

From Little Bad Legs on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 18:15:38 from 68.186.75.3

Great job! That's a fantastic time, especially since you were solo the entire race.

From Jon on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 18:51:11 from 74.177.118.65

Sweet- a win. Nice job, Joe. Looks like your set up for a great year.

From Scott Ensign on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 21:15:40 from 63.228.217.192

awesome, big win, and in your hometown to boot. nice job! hope you got enough swag for gas back to Logan

From allie on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 21:24:21 from 174.23.241.50

great time and congrats on the win. excellent start to the year.

From JamesH on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 22:12:47 from 208.117.127.7

"The field was small, and not all that competitive"

I take exception to that mister! Nice job out there today. It was nice to meet you and talk for a few.

From AZDesertmonsoon on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 22:41:18 from 63.226.53.170

Congrats on the win! Nice report.

From Predog on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 23:34:40 from 75.162.111.121

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

Paul, yeah I think on a nice flat course I could have beaten my TOU time today. I was feeling pretty good and I'm very pleased. This one was very honest. Quite hilly.

Jon, that's what I am hoping. This was a good barometer and I think I've got good things in me this year.

Scott, I didn't get any swag that will pay for gas, but they did give me a $100 gift certificate to SGRC, so it evens out.

James, right after that I made the exception of you and Steve and that other guy (I'm terrible with names...), so don't fret. haha. It was nice to meet you today.

From Walter on Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 02:16:12 from 24.10.169.110

Field being small or not you did great. It sounds like a challenging course. Way to go.

From Cody on Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 15:38:40 from 174.52.244.185

Nice Job Joe! Your first (of many to come) win. I am glad you were able to squash your opponents with minimal effort. Sorry Steve and James....

From JamesH on Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 16:54:24 from 208.117.127.7

Ouch.

From Holt on Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 11:02:30 from 204.113.55.41

Good job Joe - congrats on the solid run.

From Mattrow on Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 14:36:43 from 192.107.247.6

Nice run. I heard the course was hard. Good time on a hard course.

From Craigalas on Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 20:07:54 from 205.242.229.71

Way to go on the win.

From Superfly on Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 20:47:25 from 74.211.21.81

Great job on the win!

From jtshad on Thu, Apr 07, 2011 at 08:43:31 from 69.20.183.178

Nicely done, congrats on the win! It is pretty cool to get a marathon win under your belt!

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