I ran the Payson race as a workout, a lazy way to get in some speed this week before the SF half. The forecast was for rain. I dropped off my salad at Marion's (she was having us all over for breakfast after the race) and I ran from her house to the start, got Paul and my packets, then did some more warm up. It was sprinkly at times and dry at times. I ran back to Marion's to find Paul, then ran with him back to the race, then waited in the bathroom line, stretching as I waited. I ran to the start with Paul and did three strides. I had put on my red racers so that means I have to run fast! TylerS and KellieS showed, so when the gun went off Tyler and I stuck together for a while. 1 & 2 - I didn't see the first mile, but the total through the 2nd mile marker was 11:45, Tyler and I worked together and closed the gap on the front pack of four guys, who looked like they were on an easy run. As I closed the gap to actually join them for a while I razzed them about being chatty and not racing. They said they were tempoing, but I know their pace was slower than Seth's marathon pace, so it must have been a tinman tempo :) I guess me talking smack wasn't the smartest thing to do, if I was all nice perhaps I could have stayed with them longer.
3 - 6:08 - third mile had a water stop at 2.5, where the water was weak gatorade. I took in one swallow and my body absolutely rejected it, not more than a drop or two actually swallowed :(, the lead pack pulls away from me, but I'm putting forth good effort and try to get white shirt, a guy who's wearing an XXL tshirt but is skinny and is the first guy to drop from the lead pack.
4 - 6:23 - a very nonglorious split, but it is what it is. I tried to tell myself to turn over but it seems I have a hard time keeping under 6:10 for long periods of time. I need to work on it. Course manager says that an ideal 4th mile would have been 6:06 5 - 6:24 - also nonglorious, but I guess this mile is just over .5% grade up so that's got to count for something, eh? I catch white shirt somewhere around the 4 mile mark and try to go for green shirt (Bill Cobler?). I can't gain on him much. Right before the 5 mile mark are train tracks and the lights go of before I hit them, I zoom across and wonder if Tyler (behind me) makes it across. I peak behind and I think I see his bandana made it. 6 - 6:11, I think the first half of this mile was slower than the second half, I was telling myself that I could run a 3:00 for the second half of this mile, and if the first half was a 3:10 then I pretty much did it. .24 - 1:10, a kick at the end 38:04 - Dang it! Two seconds slower than Provo Freedom Festival 10K. Oh well, I am running on tired legs and this really was supposed to be mainly a workout (though if I am at a race I race the best I can). I ran this race last year in 42:14, holding nothing back last year (but also untapered and tired), so there is significant improvement at least. Pure extrapolation brings me to 2:43:17 at St. G, though my improvement curve in Sept last year was likely better than it is right now.
Cooled down 2 miles, waited for the awards (I got a silver dollar and another Payson 10k windbreaker). Then we went to Marion's for breakfast. So yummy! Then Sasha and I went out for a run with Marion biking. As soon as we get ready to go out it starts pouring. Our shoes soaked by 1/2 mile. We go up Payson canyon until the 2 mile mark, then turn around. Hail at this point. Nice :( I VPB then have to catch up, then with .33 to go Sasha tells me we are going to kick it in for 1/2 mile. Well I thought we were going to go past Marion's house to get the .5, but we don't so I held back too much. 4:44 pace for the .33 (first half of it was steep downhill - per watch it says by best pace was 2:23 - wow!, second half near flat)
Shoe totals: Red sox: 57.25, Brooks Defyance (Blue): 455.77, Asics Stratus 2.1 (Purple) 78.1, Mizuno WaveRider (aqua) 36.61
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