AM Total run time 1:01:07 This race is pretty intense because it starts at 9,300 feet and climbs to 9,800 in the first 2 miles before descending down to 9,100 feet over the last 4.2. There's some flat and a gradual climb in the last mile that's a real killer as well. Mixed feelings with today's outcome. I felt pretty good coming off of the 10k last week, and knew good pacing up the first section would mean fast splits for the descent. I ate a big dinner the night before and was kinda full still in the morning, so I only ate a banana for breakfast. This was a mistake because I ran out of energy before the downhill. I also think I wasn't fully recovered from last week's race, and my body knew it. Oh well, it's an inexpensive, low-key race and the proceeds go towards purchasing medical equipment for the Sanpete Valley hospital. Headed to the race from my sister-in law's parents house in Payson. Staying there shaved off about an hour of drive time to the start, so super stoked they let Lacy, Griffin, and I stay there. Drank some coffee on the way to the race, and stopped at a gas station about 15 minutes from the start to fill up the tank and take care of business. This was great because there were no lines for the bathroom, and it had a flushing toilet! Got to the start with about 45 minutes to spare, so grabbed Griffin for little warm-up. Mile 1 - 7:16 About 30 people went out hard since it's flat for the first 200 meters before we start climbing. I sat way back and chuckled to myself, and sure enough I went from 30th place to 6th place in about .75 miles. Climbed 264 feet and feeling great! Mile 2 - 8:42 Some people knew how to pace themselves better than I did because I totally lost it at about .75 into this mile. My shoulders were tired, breathing very labored, and legs were j-e-l-l-o! I was passed by a group of 4 at the end of this mile and no way I was holding onto them. climbed 227 feet. Feel like arse! Mile 3 - 7:27 Sweet relief of some gradual downhill with a small hill towards the end of this mile. Just trying to get everything back under control, and got passed by 2 more. Mile 4 - 6:43 Things are feeling better now! I was hoping to be going at least 30 seconds per mile faster than this pace, but I felt spent and there was no spring to my step. Mile 5 - 6:28 Felling pretty flat, but at least I'm not running uphill anymore. I was starting to gain on the guy in front of me. Mile 6 - 7:08 The flat and last little hill here was a struggle, so I just hung on. The guy in front had about 10 seconds on me and I start to speed up when the finish line comes into view. .09 - 34 seconds(6:15 pace) Was able to pick it up a little, but stoked the race is over! The guy in front of me held me off pretty easily. I didn't stick around for the official results, but I think I placed about 12th? I'm not terribly disappointed with my time considering the race last weekend, my left calf was giving me problems earlier in the week, and not eating a bigger breakfast. I feel like I gave in too easily today, but sometimes you feel it and sometimes you don't. I've got a few hokey races coming up over the next few months that are really just for fun more than anything, so this is a good time to start a base building phase and go for something fast in November-ish? | 