In search of old age PRs

Top of Utah Half Marathon

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Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,USA

Member Since:

Sep 25, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

All running accomplishments are Post Teenage Years:

17:06 5K--Murray 2014

16:58 5K (aided)--Running of the Leopards 2010

34:41--10K Deseret News 2018 (aided)

1:16--(aided) Hobble Creek Half 2009

2:43--St. George Marathon 2012

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub 2:50 Ogden Marathon

Sub 17:00 at Draper 5K

Long-Term Running Goals:

Sub 2:40 Marathon

 

Personal:

Married to Elizabeth (she got me running in 2003). We have three boys, Lucas (12) , Sam (8) and Ollie (5).

Many years ago, I read that the AVERAGE male is capable of a 2:40 marathon.  I decided to test that theory.  I began running in 2003 with Top of Utah as my first marathon (4:24).  I need 3 more minutes.

"Life is short...running makes it seem longer."--Baron Hansen

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Race: Top of Utah Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:18:41, Place overall: 8, Place in age division: 1
Total Distance
16.20

Nice, warm race today.  It was fun talking with the other blog people. 

The buses were late for the hotel pick.  They were scheduled 4:45 to 5:00.  At 5:30, I caught a ride with a running couple going up for the race (Elizabeth and the boys were asleep in the hotel and they needed the car to get to the finish line).  At the park, the race director told me the buses were about 40 minute late, but I'm still glad I caught the ride.  Thank you mystery running couple! 

At the start it was a little warm and I got a quick 2 mile warm-up in.  No time for strides.  Kudos to the race director for still getting the race started at 7:00.  My goal today was sub 1:20 and to keep Andrea in site.  For the first 5 miles I ran with Jason Blackham.  We had the same sub 1:20 goal and he was in my age group (35-39).  He keep a good pace.  Coming out of the canyon we were able to get in some 5:45 miles and we were able to catch a small group of runners.  I keep this pace up for Hollow road and left our small running group.  The 11-12 mile hill was a little difficult.  I slowed to a  6:24 pace, but I could see Andrea up front.  I tried to make up some ground the last mile, but could only get a 5:59 mile in.  The last 0.10 I ran with Lucas, my 4 year old.  There was really no one else around. 

I felt great after this run.  I believe I could have left a little more on the course and dropped my time by another 0:45 seconds.  It was a mistake to not start with the lead woman, but I am happy with the time given the effort.  I'm looking forward to TOU and St. George marathons.

Splits:

Mile 1: 6:01 nice easy start and right on pace

Mile 2: 6:07 a little slow, but the elevation goes up and down at the start

Mile 3: 5:56

Mile 4: 6:01 back on pace

Mile 5: 5:45 good downhill

Mile 6: 5:48 tail wind and downhill

Mile 7: 5:48 begin to separate from the pack

Mile 8:5:52 feeling and breathing fine

Mile 9: 6:00 long stretch down Hollow road

Mile 10: 6:03 I start thinking about the hill.  There is no one in site behind, but I begin to see the lead woman (Andrea)

Mile 11: 6:06 trying to conserve a little energy yet still pull in the lead woman

Mile 12: 6:24 Nice hill, but feel good at the top.  Some jogger coming the other way tells me to not let a woman beat me.  I'm like...dude, she's quarter mile in front of me and is faster!

Mile 13:5:59 tried to push hard yet still feeling good

Mile 0.14?: 0:50 ran in with Lucas!


 


Comments
From Andrea on Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 17:39:02 from 67.177.21.60

Great job MarkP - it was great to meet you! I hate to say, but I'm glad you weren't able to catch me :o)

I heard it was super cute to see you and your son Lucas come in the finish together.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 18:33:53 from 98.202.141.17

Really nice race!Congratulations.

From Jon on Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 20:03:15 from 74.177.100.34

That's a great time- congrats.

From Jake K on Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 21:02:38 from 67.177.21.60

Way to go Mark!

From allie on Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 22:07:41 from 24.10.191.18

excellent race, mark! looks like you are on track for some great times at TOU and SGM.

From Mattrow on Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 23:47:00 from 8.22.13.222

I would also say you are in a good position to do well at TOU and SGM. I get a kick out of the jogger saying don't let a woman beat you. I would put money on it that he couldn't run with her either.

From Walter on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 17:15:36 from 24.2.69.110

Great Job Mark! You are really coming alive my friend! It was good to see you and your wife up there!

From Steve on Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 22:04:07 from 12.200.234.20

Mark, great race! Good to see you each race morning.

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