A.M. - Group long run on the Jordan River Parkway Trail with probably 15-20 folks, many from the blog. The plan was to meet at the parking lot at 12600 S. at 8am. As is typical for me, I was maybe 7 minutes late and most everyone had already started...Talk about punctuality! Luckily, Cotter and his buddy were late getting there too and said that the others had left about 5 minutes earlier. They took off and I needed another couple minutes to hit the potty. Its a good thing I saw them because that's the only way I would have known they were going to run north for the first out-and-back.
I figured the group had started out a reasonably modest pace, but knew that it would be difficult to catch them. Since the original plan was to go out 5 or 6 miles, I figured I would see them just after they turned back. I could see Cotter and his buddy about a quarter mile ahead of me and kept them in my sights for a while, but eventually lost them since they were running a little faster than me and I made a couple wrong turns. My first mile was 5:39 and the next 4 were right at 6 or just under. There was a tailwind, but that was too fast for my current conditioning and I knew I'd pay for it later when the fast guys wanted to pick up the tempo later on.
By the seventh mile I found myself in the middle of the golf course just south of 9000 S. and it wasn't clear if I was on the JRPT anymore or just the golf course path. I slowed to about 6:30-7 min pace. Neither the group or Cotter were anywhere in sight. I got to the north edge of the course and it curved and put me back going in a south-west direction. Just then I saw the group out of the corner of my eye. They may have seen me too. There was a big area of the golf course separating us. It appeared they were running east on a path paralleling 9000 S. I was tempted to just cut across the grass toward them. I probably should have. Instead, I stayed on the same path thinking that it would curve around again and put me right behind them. It didn't take me where I thought it would.
For the next mile+ I circled around the course hoping to run into them. It was a little frustrating and I was getting worried that we were just on different paths and I'd never catch up with them. Eventually, I made it to the southend of the golf course and to a point where I was sure that I was back on the JRPT. I hoped they hadn't already passed me on their way back. Finally, I spotted them coming toward me.
I fell in with the pack glad that I'd finally found them. At that point I was at 8.5 miles. Scott Keate said they were at 8.75, so I was just a little behind in terms of distance. They were cooking along at a good pace (sub 6:30) and were slowly picking up the pace. It wasn't long before the effort started feeling hard to me. Jake, Scott, and Fritz were breaking the wind at the front. Talking back and forth with each other like it was nothing. A couple of us, including Matt and I were riding their wake and breathing harder. I noticed that Cotter and his buddy weren't with the group. I figured they must have made some wrong turns too and were not as lucky as me to have met up with the group. Miles 10 and 11 were sub 6. By that time, it was down to 5 of us: Fritz, Jake, Scott, Matt, and I. I was fading. The pace was more then I was ready to handle. I just don't have the fitness right now and probably burnt too much mojo during the first miles when I was trying to catch up. During the next two miles (miles 12 and 13+), the 4 of them stuck together and increased the gap on me as they continued to push the pace. Mile 12 was 6-flat for me and 13 was 6:33. I was glad to make it to the cars and rest for a few minutes. I got some water, took a Gu, and shed my long-sleeve shirt which I probably shouldn't have worn from the start given the nice temps.
I felt better when we started up again. Now we were going south. Most of the remaining miles for me were around 6:30. I ran and talked with Matt for the first mile or so. He was sure looking great the last few miles before the break when he was pushing it with the others. He's a first class guy and I think he's going to have a monster year in 2013. Scott, Fritz, Jake, and Jon were a few steps ahead of us. Matt turned back and I caught up with the others. Fortunately, they were running at a pace I could manage. We ran on a section of the trail that had a modest climb and then a big down. A few of us complained about the fact we'd have to run back up it on the way back.
I was beginning to wonder how far out these boys were planning to go. Fritz, Jake, and Jon were shooting the breeze like it was nothing. Scott and I were talking and running a few steps behind. If we kept going much further, it was going to end up being well over 20 for the run. About 17, Scott and I decided we had enough and it was time to turn back. We figured we'd be road kill for those guys at some point (and we were right!). It wasn't long before we saw Toni and Devra (what a trooper!) and they turned back with us. Toni ran and talked with us for a while and Devra saved us from a wrong turn. When Scott's watch hit 20, we slowed to cool down for the last little bit. Sure enough, a few seconds later, Fritz, Jake, and Jon blazed passed us determined to finish in style. We later found out that their last mile was 5:15!
Several of the others who had cut their runs shorter were waiting at the park when we got there. It was good to see and talk to everyone. Truly a first class crowd of some of the best runners around. What a pleasure to have been able to get together with them this morning for a great run. I kind of regret not pulling out my phone for a group picture.
My overall pace was 6:17 (excluding the few minutes of rest after the first out-and-back). Definitely faster than anything I've been doing outside lately and my longest run since St. George. It felt good, but was admittedly more (in terms of mileage for that pace) than I was probably ready for. But again, an awesome run with awesome folks. Definitely looking forward to next time. |