Great morning at one of my all-time favorite races... got the win and ran what I feel like was a pretty respectable time considering my recent training (more detail on yesterday's entry: pre-race thoughts). I feel like I am setting myself up to run a good marathon in 3 weeks. And I'm not tied for last place (with zero points) on the circuit anymore :-) I rode up to the start with Adam and Scott (who was kind enough to let us crash at his place last night). It was chilly up in the staging area - a good sign! I hope its equally cool, if not downright cold, for the marathon. Adam, Clyde and I ran a few miles to warmup, I did some strides, and it was time to roll. About 4 guys (Riley, Ben, Ken) were with me off the start, but after about a 1/2 mile I could feel that I had put a bit of a gap on everyone and couldn't here anymore footsteps behind me. Now it was a 12.5 mile solo time trial. Down the canyon I just tried to keep an even effort. I wore my cheap Timex watch instead of the Garmin, because this race has 100% accurate mile markers and I really wanted to try and run on feel and what felt like a sustainable effort level. I didn't get out of the gate at a sub 4:50 clip like last year, which was smart. But without anyone to push me (ie. Paul right on my shoulder) the pace was a little slower in the first half of the course. That was fine with me. After the 5 mile mark the famous tailwind made an appearance, and during the mile #7 it was very noticeable and nice. Afterwards I asked the race directors to be sure to arrange that same wind for the marathon. My splits from this year and 2011 are below... as you can see - I was about 20 seconds slower in the first 6 miles of the race this year, but then ran nearly identical splits the rest of the way (which is actually pretty cool). Running 1:06 by yourself (especially on the second half of that course) is not an easy task so I'm happy with what I did today. It felt very good to cross the finish line first this time around. Mile 2011 2012 Net +/-
1 4:48 4:54 +6
2 4:58 4:57 +5
3 5:03 5:04 +6
4 4:55 5:01 +12
5 4:51 4:55 +16
6 4:56 4:59 +19
7 4:53 4:53 +19
8 4:59 4:59 +19
9 5:05 5:05 +19
10 5:06 5:06 +19
11 5:14 5:13 +18
12 5:25 5:26 +19
13 4:58 5:00 +21
13.1 0:28 0:28 +21
Finish 1:05:40 1:06:03 Andrea and my parents were at mile 7, 10.5, and 13. It was great to have their support out there because its an otherwise very lonely (albeit scenic, wonderful, and somewhat challenging) course. That hill from 10.5 to 12 is a tough grind. So overall I'm pleased with the performance and where this tells me I'm at. My legs didn't have that "snappy / springy" feel - but there is no way I could have expected them to. I feel very strong, though, and that is what will really matter over 26.2. I'm confident I will round into even better racing form over the next couple weeks. Somewhere out there... 
Top 5 dudes... 
With the family after the race... we need to teach Jesse to look at the camera... 
I even was able to get my picture taken with high school superstar Conner Mantz... I'm glad I don't run cross-country and don't have to race him! :-) 
Lots of great running by the blog today. Way to go everyone! Andrea took a lot of photos and was able to get some finish line shots: 2012 Top of Utah Half Marathon [AM - 17 miles total - 2+ up, 13 race, 2+ down] PM - 4 miles easy. Andrea biked along w/ me. We realized partway through the run that this was the first time I ever won a half-marathon.
| 
