I run therefore, I am!

PR Baby! Ok before I explain this, I have to admit I havnt run a lick since TOU half which I ran 1 week after fracturing 3 ribs Wakebording. I was actually  at Lake Powell for a week resting the best I could up and healing. So I feel really lucky to be able to hit a PR aided with a still sore rib and no training for weeks.  The start was cool which I love for these events. I got all the pacers organized and took a quick pic at the starting line with them. Then got into race mode. I didnt have a garmin but I used my Timex Watch to keep my splits. Mile 1-5:07, I was immediately in second from the start from someone Ive never seen. He had long shorts on and a tshirt so I didnt take him that serious. I settled into a 5 pace and it was a bit labored but my breathing came down a lot which surprised me. Mile 2-4:58, Mile 3 was 5:03. This was the first aide station and I was a good 150 yards behind the leader. The guy at this aid station said, come on you can get that guy and I responded, dont worry, I will. kind of cocky on my part, not really knowing my competition and all. Mile 4 was STEEP! I hit a 4:37 on this mile and caught the leader, passed him and I still didnt recognize him. I honestly thought he would fade at this point but he pushed on and kept close to me.  Mile 5-4:50, Mile 6- 4:52, 7-4:56, 8-5:07. I could see myself fading slowly from mile 5 on but was happy to last to mile 7 under a 5 minute pace. I had a switchback and could see I gained about .25 mile on 2nd but kept telling myself not to rule out a push by him.  Mile 9-5:12, 10-5:24. I could feel my body tightening up at this point and we still had down helping us although not steep. I was breathing harder now and could feel the effects on my ribs. I also was prairie doging it! There was no way i was going to quit though. I knew I was on course for a PR and had a chance to hit 1:07.  I beat the guys setting up the clock and they actually asked me what time my watch was. I looking down and it said 1:07:58. It was still going as I thought I had stopped it so I figure it was around 1:07:55 ish. There official time adjusted it to 1:08;00.1 which I was mad at because I didnt stop my watch and started it with the gun time and finished at the mat.  Its an unofficial 107 to me but there pro timing bumped me out of the 107 club.  Oh well.  108 is a PR! 

Got my pacers organized and up to the start and it was perfect conditions. cold and downhill! lol I started the race a bit slower this time trying to see if anyone would come up and run by me but no one did so I stayed at a 5:40 pace for the first 8 or so miles. There were some steep parts with darkness for some of it. My calves were tight after 3 miles but I was able to push to a 5 minute pace for the last 4 or 5 miles. It has some good drop at the end to help you finish strong. Fun to see everyone out pacing and racing! I heard so many awesome stories! I will now taper my pathetic training schedule to run SGM. It is going to be super competitive down there this year from the sounds of it. I hope to do well!  

rode 36 miles from my house out to Utah Lake near the Park Trail and then back home. It was a great day, I couldnt run from calve tightness so I biked.