![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZreW3pii8xd_azHtrHjBSr2eCw4zLMWocdMt_nksiu2hGvvaJZY8SajYcNWJtcaijQW5TS_1t6-n472NrVyaWVOgU37wUIQHkFT8KU6JNM-jVDnbxyVEm6iJPPQIywvS_RwexvCJ4Mqu/s1600/eddie_gaul_finish.jpg) |
Me post race |
Official Time: 24;09
Placement: 2nd out of 10 (in age group) 49th out of 689 finishers
Results: Here
Race Website:
Here
Weather: Low 50's, negligible wind
Last Year's Report:
Here
Introduction
What Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete for a runner without fulfilling the obligation of doing the local Turkey Trot?
Since moving to Utah, I've opted to do the South Davis - Bountiful 5K. Why you might ask? Well
- It's cheap -- only $25
- It's an honest course. The first mile is mostly downhill while the last mile is uphill
- The really offer a lot of perks, including a high-quality finishing medal and a swag bag that just can't be beat. I almost feel guilty taking all the race stuff.
We've had some really pleasant fall / winter weather and Thanksgiving Day 2014 was out of this world. It was definitely shorts + t-shirt weather. My hands tend to get cold, so I put on some gloves as well. But I was completely comfortable both before and after the race.
New Age Group
November 27 also marked my 45th birthday -- and a new age group. I remember when I turned 40 I was filled with dread because the 40-44 age group, at least in Illinois, was probably the most competitive. Suffice to say the age group awards slowed to a drip upon turning 40. When I was in the 35-39 age group, I could pretty much walking into any race and get something (except for the really huge ones).
I guess things will get better as I get older. I am just really thankful that I can still compete and do well.
The Race
Sorry guys, I forgot my Garmin. So I have no idea what my splits were, as there were no mile markers either (I was carrying my phone and set the timer). I do remember seeing the "half-way" point and looking at my phone and seeing the timer say 12 minutes. I wasn't too happy with that, as normally I finish quite strong in this race.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsbpENEjydNQoKlD9EUeDAbQuxRqQdkhHzF3W58K-g449hw3nRsDE_F72aRn8FyOS4S-xLARNvDmiEmrisH5M6pdMsRWzu7MA-9VZT1bHR5vq0EErKK3wIzPYstmeDLiccaVJjA79dYSy/s1600/pre-race_start.jpg) |
Pre-race start. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m54YTIi0aXSjHSpxuqIDI4wfXLo2q-0mPuVnMnVI3ytNe4xNFT8tWWwoL1tPZ9LlrJ4KrFmxCrW9fpB8VMgP8IY5WrQHTBPrWH5KGdlifUlFpf4bcaPN_ed4TMF-AGZqiLPtSHhqUtDS/s1600/registration_area.jpg) |
Packet pickup |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbdTFAlXDTyLlTN3D3Put4Mr3-9fBQHE6lNeyVAOuVek-xDXt461_PniSF3zBwIkMdULz_uhtgZL1Iv1vkn0ZinpziItkREZT5rveACqKmUKwdWTyjISQfGI3prJwvOSSOwXWaBQj2JVG/s1600/IMAG4716.jpg) |
Long sleeved t-shirt |
I started off semi cautiously on this one. I had done about a mile warm-up before hand and I didn't feel that awesome. Also one of my goals was to not die at the end. Each time I've run this course, I manage to run the first mile extremely fast, hang on at mile 2 and then crawl to the finish. I am happy to report that didn't happen this time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm9BNa6iSe91C4DK_i4E75343_QhMrbvcrg4qRGAIGXdXzuvXd5o3rCU-fLMdgO4bTFF-y1Z3_6pwuUJH4ZA0AjNEvz9qOiVbGwP8HEy3c6KPSLMCNvW_cxVr0thsOUN5qyyrUVfQRE_E/s1600/south_davis_turkey_trot_start.jpg) |
Lining up near the front. Tons of behind me.
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The race started a little bit late so by the time it did start I wasn't really warmed up. The start is congested as both the 10K and the 5K start together. Luckily after about 100 yards, the route does open up to a full road:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3EtNbcOdtTBuv-Ambp8We1OdZzHnFFAcloA8d47H_UJ1lJZr-FeufaX_Eshu_SvQ4ZshldKnPHk_d1nTSuJGdpmONOfd-6L_FONtQmzwkHKKNtIOjm3DzzZ8ZYNEQb_-TtrXNmYFRi9b/s1600/mile1.jpg) |
Mild downhill for the first mile or so |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP6pi_aP8mKYkvIl5YaJ1B-nuwhw3tHQxLfKOzMkKxtnUFLYO55yM-_HJd9mwyM-hpmpiD_L-eCaoPP_2sl2Uzk16KLzdwR4J0YbG_4x9UR_jNG4BXPJs8USmpWmMuBW7Tw062UhpkwTW/s1600/south_davis_turkey_trot_mile1a.jpg) |
Took these pictures post race |
The last mile is a grind up hill. I wound up getting passed here a few times. I really wish I had my Garmin with to know what I ran the last mile in. I felt strong and in control for most of the race.
Race Finish
After the race, I wound up going for about a 2 mile cool down jog. I knew I was going to be eating a LOT later and the more calories I could burn the better.
After coming back to the race finish I put on some warmer clothes and checked out my results. Score! I finish 2nd in my age group; garnering a cool prize: a pie!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJ438vmW-Dwkj33Sj_INmcJvGygry7wf9RerjOOThMUxQb2_D8d6X3HpiZYGteq_LvzzTvexKYFVWkMU2mFjEOiF4jxeS9cyj9olLvHosecaGQcMBCEhyphenhyphenodDnFd5Gq080EKAmSK2K2Dm/s1600/my_prize.jpg) |
My pie! Yeah! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_uYKlyh0i4OHOMlT7RZkZVzKEOuropTzJYlhDewk0eOqShjnP1hiVTEWLgV_BYkIJHetZBYwDJ7fJn55tECr2wjgx65nvyTKiZIruKE2JP2U6Vavc0TSLZTF0mAv-ZGpfLA9BncCAUsZ/s1600/south_davis_turkey_trot_finish3.jpg) |
Finish line is off to the left |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDFzBA717YdNL7NlbJS2ocqiOVVCRwj-cc886vBcXIrCYLJxV2MpVe7dvSOROPs1PcOpJzlPvoufNr4DmLZh4JP1AOOVta-2N3jB_YZyWxiLlhzinEQLBaW0LqhHFdVXpyH8ORS5CCCjX/s1600/south_davis_turkey_trot_finish4.jpg) |
Waiting for awards |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqX64V4HM1iDkU5-PfQSxY37GBIoMoOGdrXZS1alhJkz-kyjRm9_TntTXnwarLovY941ZKJpnQYwWNv6u9khLtaZX46LWgmkKT_X7uCBB3YXkAlA2nr4nh8itRFpNFDV5c1v8fysF2PEO/s1600/south_davis_turkey_trot_finish.jpg) |
Finish line |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotXbTY9wIyemifnohMwzKAiER0GOrjjNI9g3JEh61lfUtfd1e7Q6AkbxwZu8Xubpike8G-cmKlwyoosOu2vL1iK8ju1OQqkOJ59diKk4CxxCzs-1zBh2lygKS1fFNkdCHV6QZ77b__5xo/s1600/age_group_awards.jpg) |
Age group awards |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1tE6VTgD-PhO7LpDduxxxL2jZSB6ecU36vnpnyo_zBmQ3T9Xdyl15WQqwWmwOGvcKxC1DsjhSmY3xkQ2bLDRLgBKIDYo20bGTO_UPECjekV3gg3T-AWFap_Gox1a0mlk6nHAvYOhBiMY/s1600/south_davis_turkey_trot_medal.jpg) |
Very nice Finisher's Medal |
Conclusion
The race seemed to be over in just a short matter of time. Sometimes the 5K is just a nice race: 20-some odd minutes and you are done.
I finished in 24:09, which I am not thrilled about. The conditions were fairly ideal too: no wind, low temperatures, so I was really shooting for something in the low 23's. It looks like I have some serious work to do in order to get back to my top 5K form.
I did finish strong though and maybe I left a little bit too much in the tank as I've forgotten how to race a 5K. I've been primarily focusing on longer races and I am still unsure what I have for a 5K.
This will likely be one of the last races I do this year, so I can at least focus on dropping some weight and improving my speed throughout the winter.
Also, I took advantage of their sweet deal and signed up for their Valentine's Day Race (another 5K) for a whopping $15! Yeah!
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