Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

November 15, 2024

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Location:

Fort Collins,CO,

Member Since:

May 15, 2003

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided PR's:
5K: 14:48 (Track - 2001)
10K: 30:45 (Track - 2001)
10K: 31:32 (Bolder Boulder - 2013)
Half Marathon: 1:06:09 (Duluth - 2013)
Marathon: 2:17:54 (Grandma's) - 2014)
Marathon: 2:19:47 (Indianapolis Monumental - 2013)
Marathon: 2:19:49 (Indianapolis Monumental - 2010)

Aided PR's:
10K: 29:38 (Des News - 2011)
Half Marathon: 1:05:30 (TOU Half - 2011)
Marathon: 2:18:09 (St George - 2007)
Marathon: 2:17:35 (Boston - 2011)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in June of 2008. Started taking Enbrel in March, 2009.

Run as much as I can, and race as well as I can. Make the most of however much time I have left as an able-bodied runner.

Training for the 2018 Colorado Marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run until I'm old, and then run some more. Stand tall.

Personal:

1 wife, 2 kids. 1 cat. Work as a GIS Specialist/Map Geek

Endure and persist; this pain will turn to your good. - Ovid

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:1-5

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Saucony Trail Shoe Lifetime Miles:						247.50
Hoka Clifton Lifetime Miles:						491.50
Saucony Type A6 Lifetime Miles:						186.50
Saucony Zealot Lifetime Miles:						478.75
Saucony Kinvara 6 Lifetime Miles:						433.50
Saucony Kinvara 6-2 Lifetime Miles:						358.75
Brooks Pure Connect Blue Lifetime Miles:						337.25
New Balance Trainers Lifetime Miles:						314.50
New Balance 1400 Racers Lifetime Miles:						65.00
Brook Pureflow Lifetime Miles:						99.50

Sun, Dec 03, 2006

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Crosstraining miles	Total Miles
0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Day off. Sunday Blog topic: The Salt Lake City Marathon. How long will it be with us? For those who haven't seen yet, the SLC Marathon has changed its date AGAIN, now back to April 21. This is the 2nd time they've changed their date in their short three years of existence, meaning that they flip-flop about as much as John Kerry. One would assume that this recent date change was in response to the effects of wretchedly hot weather during their event last JUNE, which was a dumb date to begin with. Almost as dumb as having a marathon in Salt Lake at the end of July (cough cough). Summer marathons in SLC are just asking for heatstroke. So what of it? Why should we care? Well, when big dog Devine moves their race, all the "Mom and Pop" races have to move to get away from it. The Ogden Marathon was originally in early May. Then the SLC Marathon was started as a late April race, and Ogden had to move to late May. Then SLC moved to June, and Ogden had to move to back to early May, Park City moved to August (a good move, IMHO), and the SLC Classic ceased to exist. Now the SLC Marathon has moved BACK to late April, and yes, rumor has it Ogden will be moving to the end of May. The Striders Series, part of the USATF Circuit, has pushed all their races back three weeks to follow suit. So lots of trickle-down effects that will surely cause many people to adjust their race calendars. But really, it just rubs me the wrong way that these established Utah races have to change their schedules at the fancy of Mr. Devine. The ironic thing is that the Ogden Marathon is a better event; it's almost to the point where it could hold its own ground. To be fair, I have not run the SLC Marathon, or any other Devine event. But I have heard nothing good about them. This I DO know: $80 for a marathon is absurd, $55 for a half marathon is even more absurd, and $30 for a 5-k is borderline insanity. The marathon course is slow, urban, and at altitude: virtually no chance for a PR, and not scenic either; the worst of all worlds. At TOU, Ogden, and especially St George, runners have a very good chance at a PR, but they are gorgeous courses too. Park City is slow, but beautiful. Even Des News (my least favorite race on the planet) is very beautiful for the first half, at least until your quads explode. In addition, I have no desire to watch a "national touring" rock band after a race, especially really bad ones. But that is what part the high entry fee is subsidizing. Makes you wonder how the SLC Marathon is staying in business when there's so many better races out there in this already-saturated market. Well...maybe they're not! AndyB. posted a very interesting KUTV article on the St. George Marathon Board. Apparently Devine was unable to pay their vendors and top runners until just recently. One or two more years like that, and they will bite the dust. This question is, will anyone be sorry to see it go? I�d like to hear people�s opinion on this race. What is bad about it? What is GOOD about it? Am I being too harsh or too ignorant? Let�s hear some opinions and experiences�.

Comments

From Chad on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 09:42:49

My brother and his wife run a flower shop and they provide the flowers that are given to the top finishers. A few months after the event, Devine had not paid them, and I am not sure they have been paid since.

I am surprised at the cash shortage since the entire event seems to be targeted toward maximizing profit. They had no fewer than 5 events on the same course last June, and plenty of paying customers. All I can think is that the organization is too top heavy and they are suffering with their admin costs.

From sp on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 11:30:30

Paul: I have nothing agaist the idea of having a big marathon in SLC. In fact, the more marathons, the better. However, I do not like the way it is being done. Way too much hype.

DesNews for historical reasons has to stay the way it is - 24th of July, and on that route to commemorate the pioneers coming into the valley. For me, it is a very special marathon just for that reason. Sometimes I sing "Come, Come Ye Saints" when I get to the top of the Little Mountain. There is a line: "And if we die before our journey's through, happy day all the well - we then are free from toil, and sorrow too, with the just we shall dwell!". There is a bit of humor in this for me - it is going to be hard, and I'll feel like death maybe, but I will not actually die. For the pioneers, this was no joke, the possibility of death was a severe reality. They were starting from much further back. They would also have appreciated the warmer weather. Another line applies to a marathoner, this time with no humor at all: "Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'tis not so, all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?"

From Dave Holt on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 11:42:32

I ran the SLC Marathon because of its time of year (for race schedule - NOT weather) and location purposes (in-laws, blah, blah, blah...) last year. And I had been considering it for this year. The course was nice for the first half and crap for the 2nd half. Last year I tried, and have tried again for this year, to email the Devine people with questions and have never got any response. Despite all this, I had planned on running again, mostly again because of time of year. But I have heard nothing but great things about Ogden and would love to do it. Unfortunately it falls on the same weekend as the BYU Invite track meet, which as a high school coach I can't miss. So maybe a move of dates and a shuffling of Ogden would work out best for me.

From Dave Holt on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 11:45:15

From steve on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 11:50:20

Too many hands in the pot in so many ways! I absoulutely hate the event now after seeing so many screw ups on the part of timing and race officials. Not to mention the fact that every time I run it I feel like Im lost in the crowd.

The only reason I ran it last year was for the points on the USATF circuit. I dont care how brutal the Deseret News course is, I will run it instead!

From Mike on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 12:54:18

I have run both the 1/2 and the marathon. I won't run either again. The courses are bad; especially the marathon. The mile splits are measured accurately but the markers are misplaced (judging by splits).

I liked Ogden last year. It also had organizational problems (late start, long awards). The difference is in attitude. SLC presents itself as something it is not: a well organized major marathon. Ogden knows what it gives runner: a nice course and a laid back atmosphere.

There are too many good races in Utah during the sping and early summer to run anything that isn't any fun.

From Mike on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 12:57:23

Did I mention finishing the 1/2 marathon while running past THOUSANDS of 5 k walkers? I was jumping between people and weaving through the crowds while running on cobblestones through the gateway.

From Paul Petersen on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 13:43:15

Dave, I tried contact race staff last year as well and got absolutely zero response.

From Bob Thompson on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 14:46:40

Here, here Paul. I have run the SLC marathon and was entirely unimpressed. I smell a boycott in the air.

From Andy on Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 17:54:36

An event of this size can't be funded by entry fees alone. Unless they get a title sponsor or shift the focus of the race, it won't survive. I like having the option of a metropolitan marathon but it is probably my least favorite course of all the Utah marathons. I ran my personal worst there in 2005 (probably more from running with an injury than the actual course).

From Mike on Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 06:22:27

Does anyone have a clue what the LDR circuit will do about the date change?

From Paul Petersen on Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 07:42:43

Mike, I have no clue.

My biggest question for the LDR circuit is whether the proposed increase in races and much earlier start date will increase the max number of races one can do for points. In previous years they've taken the top 7 races, but I wonder if they'll up that to 8 or 9.

It would be nice to see them finalize the schedule and update the rules, dates, and general web page, seeing as to how the circuit will be starting sooner rather than later.

From Dallen on Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 17:00:30

I still have a grudge against Devine Racing because thay failed to mail me the promised age group award from a 10K last year. I didn't really want their sweatshirt (the prize), but after paying $35 for a 10K they should be able to follow-up on their promises.

From Mike on Fri, Dec 08, 2006 at 07:15:33

This morning (Dec 8th, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) the Trib reported that Ogden has moved its race date to May 19th. I still plan on doing Ogden. This is the third time it has moved because of the SLC Marathon. Pat Larry Smithee on the back next time you see him. It must be tough to make the LDR circuit when the race dates are fluid.

From Paul Petersen on Fri, Dec 08, 2006 at 08:18:14

Thanks for the update Mike. You're right, it must be hard for the LDR to create dates, rules, etc. when everything always changes on them. I must be patient...

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