Nerves, nerves, nerves...all week long. I had talked with the race director earlier in the week and knew many elite kenyans were coming in so I knew I was going to have to PR just to have a shot of getting in the prize money (not counting Utah prize money).
My husband was gone this week, fishing in Alaska, so on friday I took the kids to my sister's who graciously let them all sleep over. I headed to Salt Lake and enjoyed a few hour break from the past 7 days of kids, with no help, before going to bed. Woke up, got ready, and left the hotel around 5:30. Did a mile warmup, potty stop, and a few striders. Talked to Sasha before the race began and I told him I was going to gage my pace off of him, since last year he beat me by just a little.
The race began and the crazy sprinting of herds of runners began. I didn't get caught up in it and just went out exactly as planned...4:48 at mile 1, right with Sasha. Mile 2, 9:44 (ish), so a 4:55 mile, still with Sasha and leading for the females. Somewhere between mile 1 and 2, Sasha kindly offered to me to tuck in behind him and draft, but I declined knowing that I run better shoulder to shoulder, rather than following. Mile 3, 15:01, so about a 5:15 mile. At this point, the female winner of the race passed me. I think she had just been pacing behind me, playing almost. She flew by, I chased, but not nearly as fast :) At this point too, I lost Sasha. My next mile was a 5:10...thrilled about that, but definitely starting to really feel the race. The next mile was soooo long, I was just trying to concentrate on staying strong and holding onto second place. Mile 5, 5:19. I remembered the last mile being painful last year, and this year was no different. Thankfully at the turn that puts you onto the road for the finish, I came upon Clark Nielson. He knew me and immediately began trying to get me to go with him. I really appreciate what he did...he spent the next 1/2 mile telling me to "come on", "go get it", etc. What a good guy! I think he cost himself 10 seconds at least and inturn my time was 10 seconds faster than it would have been. I missed the 6 mile mark, but based on my other marks and the .2 over the 6 mile, I think it was probably about 5:30. Overall, average mile 5:12.
So second place, a PR by 17 seconds from last year, $1250...I will glady take it! I am definitely happy about the race. Kenyans grabbed the 1st, 3rd, and 4th spots, and I am thrilled I broke them up. After the race, I was able to cool down with Kassi and catch up with several runners over the next hour. My parents and sister came up too. Great race day :) |