I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to St. George to run the Spectrum 10K. We stopped and visited my parents in Nephi both on the way down and the way back. After my dad's recent strokes and my mom's knee surgery it was great to see them both doing so well and to visit with them. It was also enjoyable to spend a couple of days alone with Karen. I really enjoyed sharing the drive down and back with her. I really appreciate her support of my running.
Larry picked me up at the hotel and I rode to the race with him, his wife Jolene, his daughter Stacia, her husband Jeremy, and Wayne. I also saw Scott Blake before and after the race. It's great to have good friends to share these experiences with.
The Spectrum 10K course runs through Snow Canyon State Park. What a beautiful place for a run. The weather was perfect. There was no wind. It wasn't too cold at the start nor too hot at the finish.
They changed the course this year because of the increase in the number of runners. I had been told the course was basically half pretty steep downhill then half gradual downhill. I don't think that was entirely true. It seemed to me the last mile or so were at best level, with a little more uphill grade than I originally expected. They also added a section in the first part of the race where we turned and went uphill on the West Canyon Trail for 3/4 mile before doubling back. It was actually kind of fun on this section to see the people in front of me as I went up and the people behind me as I went down.
My goal was to break 43 minutes, with a stretch goal of shooting for 40 minutes. I figured this would take roughly 6 minute miles for the first half and 7 minute miles for the second half.
The first mile was downhill as promised. I tried to take what the hill was giving me without pushing too hard and ran it in 5:42. I may have taken it a little too fast, but I felt like I was running within myself.
The second and third miles, at 6:39 and 6:50 revealed that 40 minutes wasn't going to happen. However, this included the added uphill section, so I still felt like I was doing well. I hit the 3 mile mark at 19:12. There wasn't a 5K marker and I wasn't wearing my Garmin, but I figure I ran the first 5K in around 19:50. My 5K PR is 20:13.
I maintained my pace down the lower portion of the canyon and ran the next two miles in 6:47 and 6:49. I ran the 6th mile in 7:18. This is the level-to-slight-uphill section that I originally thought was supposed to be gradual downhill. Luckily I realized it wasn't as I drove the course prior to the race so I was expecting it. I just held on and tried to maintain my form and breathing.
In summary, my mile splits were 5:42, 6:39, 6:50, 6:47, 6:49, and 7:18 with a final time of 41:43 (6:42/mi). I finished 1st in the Male 45-49 division and 20th place overall. It was clear evidence to me that dedicated training really pays off. It was a great birthday present. I received a plaque and a $20 gift card to the St. George Running Center.
Larry and Jolene celebrated a greater accomplishment than me. Larry met his goal of running under 50 minutes. In fact, as coincidence would have it, he tried to out kick Scott Blake near the finish but Scott barely held him off. This was Larry's 18th consecutive Spectrum 10K. In fact, he was wearing his 1990 Spectrum 10K t-shirt. Jolene placed 2nd in her division, and also received a plaque and gift card. But their greatest accomplishment was that they were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. At the beginning of the awards ceremony the race officials recognized them and they presented Jolene with a bouquet of roses Larry had provided.
My 47th birthday was just a good day all around. It was truly a blessing. Throughout my life I have received far more of these tender mercies from God than I deserve, but I am sure grateful for them.
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