My Running Log

Salt Lake City Half Marathon

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Location:

Lehi,UT,USA

Member Since:

Jan 01, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

Personal bests since 2009:

  • 5K - 18:31 (Freedom Run, 2021)
  • 10K - 38:52 (Dana Point, 2009)
  • Half marathon - 1:25:54 (SLC, 2012)
  • Marathon - 3:02:40 (St. George, 2009)

Short-Term Running Goals:

  • Break 3:00 in a marathon
  • Run at least 5 days a week

Long-Term Running Goals:

  • Lifetime fitness
  • Run the Boston Marathon
  • Do an Ironman triathlon (someday)

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Air Pegasus 25 Lifetime Miles: 1220.37
Asics Equation 2 Lifetime Miles: 1198.81
Asics Blue And Silver Lifetime Miles: 930.43
Pearl Izumi Orange Streaks Lifetime Miles: 194.77
Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 2381.47
New Balance 690 Lifetime Miles: 313.68
New Balance 310 Lifetime Miles: 1120.96
Race: Salt Lake City Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:35:20
Easy MilesThreshold MilesMarathon Pace MilesTrack speed mileageHill mileageTotal
0.500.0013.100.000.0013.60

Today was the race I have been preparing for. The weather was beautiful, other than being a little chilly the first couple of miles. I was aiming for 1:35, and I'm going to say I came close enough! I don't know my official time yet, but I'll put it up later. The course was excellent. It seems like they found the route that stretched the downhill out the longest, which was helpful.

I wasn't feeling sick or bad before the race, but I didn't feel particularly good. The first couple of miles were about 7:05 pace. It was weird because I was sweating even though it was quite cold. Miles 3 and 4 had a lot of downhill. I felt like I was really holding back and also ran just over 7:00 pace. There is a turnaround by Highland High that is uphill, and I was able to maintain my pace there. But around mile 5, I started to doubt that I could stay strong. There was a gal in bright green shirt that had a GPS watch and seemed to be running my desired pace, so I tried to stay up with her for the next few miles. From miles 6 through 8, I felt strong and kept the pace going strong. I was starting to get excited that I could reach my goal. Halfway through mile 9, I ran by my wife and daughter and that gave me a boost. At mile 9, I was about 1:03:30, so I was averaging about 7:03 per mile. During the last four miles, I started to slacken the pace a bit. I ran alongside another runner for the next 2 miles who helped me keep my leg turnover up, but we were running about 7:15-7:30 pace. The 11th mile was a bear! I didn't realize going north on State St. had so much uphill. It seemed like every block was a half mile. We hit the top of the hill at mile marker 12, and it was downhill to the finish. I felt strong and picked up the pace a bit, but didn't sprint at the end. If I had known I was that close to breaking 1:35, I probably would have. But also I wanted to enjoy the last few moments of the race this time, knowing that the hard work had paid off.

This was a "post-mission personal record" for me by 8 minutes! It feels great to work hard at a goal and then to see so much improvement. The last two half marathons I ran (a few years ago), I didn't really prepare adequately, so I died out in the last few miles. Even though the last few miles were slower this time, that didn't happen. I know I can continue improving, too.

  • Kudos to the race organizers for putting together a well-organized and fun race!
  • Kudos to them for having timers at every mile!
  • Kudos to the polite and energetic runners all around me!
  • Kudos to the weather for not snowing and being perfect!
  • Kudos to the many, many volunteers and spectators along the way who kept the course safe and encouraged us.
  • Kudos to those who have encouraged me on this blog!
  • Kudos to the guy wearing cross-trainer shoes who blew by me on the 12th mile!
  • Kudos to the guy that was very lean but probably weighed 240 lbs and blew by me in mile 10!
  • No kudos to the policeman who unnecessarily blared his siren in my ear and startled the begeebees out of me, while leading the wheelchair riders. But you know, that actually kickstarted me by getting my adrenaline flowing. :)
  • Kudos to my wife and daughter for getting up early and cheering me on! It meant a lot to me.
At the end while Laurel was shopping, I watched some of the final half marathoners coming in. I just thought it was an amazing thing to have people trying to be fit and coming together from all throughout the community for an event like this. I don't think there's any other sport where you can see 10,000+ athletes performing. Usually it's the other way around. This is a big part of why this sport is so great.

Asics Kahana 2 Miles: 13.60
Weight: 179.60
Comments
From Kelli on Sat, Apr 18, 2009 at 23:18:45 from 71.219.84.84

GREAT RACE!!!! I am so happy that you enjoyed it and came so very close to your time. I wonder how close we were to each other---as I had the begeebees scared out of by the sirens for the wheelchair marathoners as well, and our times were close. Hmmm....maybe we crossed paths today.

KUDOS to you for being AWESOME!

From Dustin on Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 00:34:56 from 209.33.192.10

Way to go Steve! That is awesome you had a great race and were able to feel good about your time and your training. It is always good to be able to set goals and then work to achieve them. Sounds like today was a great day, and nice that Laurel and Kate could be there to support you.

From Burt on Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 01:46:23 from 98.167.151.26

Great job Steve! Thanks for the kudos.

From walter on Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 10:07:21 from 76.27.15.208

Great race my friend! Always a good day when you hit your goals. Keep up the good work.

From RivertonPaul on Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 10:20:11 from 75.169.16.53

and Kudos to you.

From redrooster on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 00:53:19 from 71.219.153.100

nice job Steve, that is a great time, I hope I can run it next year, was sad to have missed out on all the fun! Scott

From Maurine on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 16:57:54 from 63.255.172.2

Great job on the race and on making your goals! If you need some suggestions on good running routes in Sandy, let me know. I've only lived here 9 months - but I have found some good ones.

From Steve P on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 14:45:13 from 155.100.160.249

Hi Maurine,

Yes, that would be great if you could let me know what parts of Sandy are great for running. one that I want to check out is the Dimple Dell trails.

-Steve

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