I was planning on this being just a training run for me and it went as planned. I figured on doing pretty good until the big turn-around at Deer Valley and then only if I felt really awesome I would push the last 10. I ran with Matt K from miles 6-16 and the pacing was great, although I could feel I was holding him back on the climb to Deer Valley. Bill Clark caught us before 16 and the 3 of us rounded the resort area. At 17 they started to push and I held back so I can have some in the tank for Pocatello in 2 weeks. I even took a bathroom break after 18. Amber passed me around 19 and was looking GREAT!!! Congrats Amber on your WIN!!! I took it easy on the journey back to the finish and I am not too beat up at all. I still finished in the top 20 and placed in my age group, and was 11 minutes faster than last year. Matt and Paul did GREAT today on what is always a tougher course. I will know in 2 weeks if I made the right decision today... Pocatello in 2 weeks.....
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