I got to the starting line and did a short warm-up jog and used the port-a-potty to get ready for the race. I was excited because the weather was nice and the smoke from the Zion fire was pretty much non-existent. It was ideal running conditions with the temperature at 54 degrees at the start and slowly warming up a little bit as the race went on. The gun went off and then it went off a couple more times thinking it was a false start but everyone kept running. I had to do some zig zagging to get up to the front and out of the way from everyone. I went up and slowed down a bit to run with Clyde and Dave. They met up with me a quarter of a mile into the race and then we were off. Here is the how the race went:
1. 5:38- Nice easy first mile with Clyde and Dave. A touch downhill but also a little uphill.
2. 5:31- Easing into moving along for the rest of the race.
3. 4:54- Really steep downhill. Don't want to push it to much because the downhill can be deceiving.
4. 5:00- Same as the last mile.
5. 5:07- Moving along with Dave and the guy from Durango. Clyde is still with us. Each take a turn out in front pushing the pace. A little bit of drafting is going on.
6. 5:05- Holler at Clyde to stay with us but no response. His abs must be hurting and don't want to bother him.
7. 5:12- It starts leveling out here as we start moving into Tropic. I can see the police lights for Mike Vick and Hobie Call. They are a couple of minutes ahead and probably will not catch them.
8. 5:26- A slight uphill climb as we move into the small town of Tropic. I start moving a little faster and holler at Dave to come along with me. The guy from Durango drops a little bit.
9. 5:29- Get some water and can't hear Dave so I figure I am on my own the rest of the way. The water cups are Subway cups and really big. I seem to get more of the water on me than in my mouth. Crud!
10. 5:25- A little bit of downhill and realize that I will need to push to go under 1:10.
11. 5:28- Git some more water and hoping I can get under 1:10
12. 5:31- Flat and some downhill but still just moving along.
13.1. 5:41- My last split was a little mixed up but I am not in the mood to do the math to figure it out. I knew I was close to the finish and really pushed the last half mile. I knew I was under 1:10 and could not have been more thrilled.
I ended up with a new PR for the half by almost 6 minutes. I was really happy with the 5:18/mile pace for the entire run. I felt good after the race. I am getting more and more excited to see what happens at St. George this year. I was bummed out for Clyde because of his abdominal problems. He will tear it up at Hobblecreek. Dave had a great race. It was nice running with the St. George guys again. I got $300 for taking 3rd place overall. I think I will go and get some new shoes from Steve at the store. The money is nice but I am more happy with my time. My wife and father-in-law did well in the 5K. It was a nice day for the Fielding family. Great job to all of the other St. George guys with their times today. Did a little bit of a cooldown after the race to get a few more miles in. | 