Pushed it but fatigued more to come. Just missed USAs but still an A race for me off three months of training. More to come
OK home relaxing and getting ready to roll out the sore legs. Here is the race report. Sorry it might be long winded.
Riley and Amy and their little ones picked Ben and I up and Riley drove us up to the start line. After a couple stops to the secret bathroom, Ben and I warmed up about 2 miles then dropped off our clothes and drop bags with Riley and headed to the start.
When the gun went off a lead pack formed very quickly consisting of Matt, Ben, Jacob Howell, Walter, a 20 year old I don't know and myself. We had 20 seconds on the field by the first mile.
Mile 1: 5:12 easy running rotating the lead.
Mile 2: 5:18 but slowing near the end so Ben started to roll a touch as we began the downhill portion of this race.
Mile 3: 5:06 This mile thinned the front group to 4. Matt, Jacob, Ben and Myself
Mile 4: 4:49 welcome to the bombing downhill section. We headed into the State Park. Very pretty
Mile 5: 4:48 This mile started to spread us out.
Mile 6: 4:49 Just after this mile we headed onto the path. Very curvy and rolly. Deceptively tough after this point in the race. 10K split was about 31:15 and my second 5k was about 15:02 so a lot faster than I have been running but felt aerobically strong but my calves were starting to fatigue and the calf I hurt back in March started to twinge just a touch but I wasn't going to let it slow me until it popped.
Mile 7: 5:05 The rolling hills starting to get to my legs. Side note Ben had gapped me in this mile then just pulled off and for a bathroom break and I only gained 5 seconds on him.
Mile 8: 5:38 This mile was really tough. Lots of uphill and winding paths. Started to break a bit but when Ben passed me he told me to muscle down and focus on these last 5 miles. This one put me a little into O2 debt but I focused on my breathing and re committed.
Mile 9: 5:22 chasing Ben and Jacob helped this mile. I tried to take some water but the girl didn't let go of the cup as I reached for it and she just poured it down my front. I just laughed and rolled with it. A little splashed into my mouth.
Mile 10: 5:27 still just focusing on getting to the next mile.
Mile 11: 5:53 this was the only mile that was not down hill and I was fighting the mental battle to keep rolling.
Mile 12: 5:48 I was just trying to get rolling again and holding on
Mile 13: 5:37 seeing the High school and hearing Ben finish and looking at my watch and seeing 68:30. I pumped my fisted and decided to give it all I had the final 300 meters on the track weaving through 5k finisher and racing 12 year olds
39 seconds for the last .15 (4:20 pace, I wasn't about to let that 12 year old boy beat me and I think I got too much in my head mile 11 and 12 and just have to relearn how to endure that slow ache of the Half Marathon)
Total distance I had on the watch was 13.15 so seems right just because I didn't hit every tangent perfect. Very happy with this race. Riley and I talked afterwards and we both thought I would have needed an A+ race to get sub 69 to qualify for USA Half Marathon Champs in January. However, sub 70 with 3.5 months training and the flu two weeks ago is definitely an A race for me right now. Next Half on my schedule is Painter's Half in January with a couple 5Ks between and building base and strength for the marathon debut in April at SLC. Thanks again to Riley Evelynn and Hannah. Best support team ever. And big congrats to Matt on the win and Ben and Jacob for the sub 69 races. And way to go Amy 1:26 10 months after Hannah, so impressive!
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