I've run this race a few times and really enjoy the race director's approach
(at the start he yelled, "GO" then jumped in to his van and took off
down the canyon while all the runners stared at each other--we eventually
figured it out). I think Curt must sleep on the course the week before
the race.
My distance was 13.2 today, so showed a little long. I made a real
effort to run the tangents, so I'm not sure where the discrepancy was this year
(could be my Garmin). Anyway, good race for me and I think the 2:45 St.
George goal is in reach. My splits were right to plan with last one being
one of my fastest (plan was to stay sub 6:00 minus the big hill).
Mile 1: 5:48. Steep downhill, but trying to conserve for the second
half of the race.
Mile 2: 5:48. I'm in about 10th place, but this race attracts a ton of
bandits, so it’s hard to tell where you are against paid competitors.
Mile 3: 6:00. A little slow, but this included a water
station. I also settled in with 2 other runners (JeffL from the blog and
someone else)
Mile 4: 5:49. I had to leave our small group and pick up the pace a
little. I was able to pass a couple more people.
Mile 5: 5:59. You are now on the main trail which means more bikers
and Saturday runners/walkers. It makes running the tangents more
difficult. A guy I passed at mile 4 stays right behind me.
Mile 6: 5:57. Trying to conserve and have a strategy about the large
climb coming up.
Mile 7: 6:18. The hill and the head wind begin as we turn and run up
the canyon. I lead about 1/2 mile up then practically stop, so the guy
behind me can lead for awhile. I get behind him for about another 1/4 of
a mile then he has had enough and cranks up to another gear. He was
really holding back up to this point (he finished 3rd overall and I lost sight
of him after mile 9.
Mile 8: 6:21. Running up the rest of the hill alone, but on the return
you can see the field and where you stand (although it’s hard to figure out
your place with the bandits).
Mile 9: 5:52. Said hello to friends still climbing and was able to get
the legs moving again which is difficult to do on this course.
Traditionally, this is a very tough section for me and spells gloom and doom if
you can't get your pace going again.
Mile 10: 5:58. Feeling pretty comfortable and can see a runner ahead
of me about 300 yards away.
Mile 11: 6:00. I was hoping to stay sub-6:00 for the entire bottom
portion. This was a little bit of a wake-up call and began trying
harder. I recognized the runner ahead of me from the starting line and
try to pull him in.
Mile 12: 5:58. Good effort as the trail begins to flatten out.
The guy I'm trying to catch is about 50 yards out. This section/mile has
been very challenging for me in the past and my time really falls apart;
however, still feeling good. Mile 13: 5:49. Nice pace to catch the only runner I can see.
Mile 0.11: Pace 4:59. Had a fun, fast finish with runner I caught up
to; then, he pulled off to the side at the finish line (bandit). I'm glad
he was there to force me to pick up the pace.
I was sub 1:18:00 at 13.11, but with the additional I was probably closer to
1:18:20. I'm not exactly sure, but I will be looking for the official
results on-line when they are posted. My training partner, Tiffnay took 2nd women's overall! Also, Coach
Bill Schmidt had an excellent race. A couple of other training friends
did well (Dave and Tracy). One more thing: Ugliest shirt I have ever received for a race--Awesome!
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