Official Time: 1:55:25
Placement: 20th male out of 90, 1st in age group (45-49)
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 30's to low 40's. Overcast with slight wind from NW
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2017] [2016]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:41 | Getting into the run. Running with 5K / 10K runners as well. |
| 2 | 8:44 | This is the pace I wanted to hold (more or less for the race) |
| 3 | 8:44 | |
| 4 | 8:48 | |
| 5 | 8:43 | Feeling a little tired here but looking forward to the turn around |
| 6 | 8:49 | Another half mile to the turn around |
| 7 | 8:46 | Reached the turn around just shy of 6.55 miles. Right on target pace-wise |
| 8 | 8:32 | Maybe a little too happy - picked it up here |
| 9 | 8:44 | |
| 10 | 8:58 | Starting to feel fatigued. |
| 11 | 8:56 | Was taking a lot of energy both mental and physical. Felt like my pace was faster |
| 12 | 9:07 | |
| 13 | 9:21 | Off the bike trail finally. Some rollers here but really digging deep |
| 13.06 | 0:28 | |
| Total Miles: 13.06 - 1:55:25 | ||
Introduction
Sometime over the winter break I got an incredible offer from the race director for the March Madness Half Marathon, which I have done before. Basically, as an early bird and repeat customer, I could get in for about $35 (plus the usual service fee).
For a fully supported half marathon, with shirt / finisher's medals, it is a bargain.
The course isn't my favorite -- I've run on the Legacy Bike Trail up in Davis County several times. On the plus side, it is flat and easy to navigate. On the negative, it is simply a bike trail that hugs the Legacy freeway and while you get to look at the mountains and a stretch of field, it isn't exactly breath taking running.
That being said, I know they put on a good and accurate race and I would get more than my money's worth. Plus it is a race.
The Race
The race is put on by a fellow runner to benefit a local food bank and I've run his races before. He does a good job and I knew the race would start at 9 AM on the dot.
I rolled in just after 8 and grabbed my shirt and a small goody bag lined with promotional stuff. I cycled through the bathroom a time or two.
It was cold and I debated on wearing a running jacket. I was definitely in with my shorts and paper thin gloves, but my core felt cold. I had doubled up on running shirts -- one short sleeved and a long sleeved over it. I opted just to go with that -- and I am glad I did. I would've roasted had I used a running jacket.
The race started at 9 and I took off at a fairly easy pace. I like to feel my way into a run and I wasn't sure what I had. I figured if I could do 8:45's -- at least for the first 5 miles or so, it would set me up for a pretty decent race. I knew this course wasn't downhill and I was running at a higher elevation, so 2 weeks ago half marathon of 1:49 wasn't going to happen.
It was fun loping along as we made our way down to the bike trail. I was listening to other people talk and occasionally reminisced with people about last year's wind tunnel fest.
It was crowded running but I was never hampered except for maybe the first 100 yards.
As I approached the bike trail I spotted some of the speedier folk heading back from the 5K. I think I would've been able to top 10 the race and I sort of wished I had done the 5K. But I was feeling good.
On this course you run north and for the most part the course is flat. There is an occasional mole hill of a hill on the trail or even a slight incline, but this is about as flat as it gets.
There was a little bit of a head wind but it didn't feel like it slowed me down. It was NOTHING like last year, where the return 6.5 miles felt like you were behind a jet airplane.
The mile markers were more or less spot on and after the 10K runners turned around it was sort of lonely running. I was always within site of someone and occasionally I'd come upon and we'd run for a spell. About the only consistent runner I had to work with is the guy pushing a special needs person -- I dogged him pretty much the whole race.
I was so happy to see the turn around point. I was feeling pretty good and I had made good on my time of 8:45 min / miles. I was just fearing a crash and burn scenario. I popped a gel and grabbed some water from a volunteer and headed back.
There were only a few water stops at this race. Luckily the temperature didn't warrant more. And I carried my own. I probably could've gotten away with not bringing it, but I am glad I did. It seemed to help.
The final 3 miles were a grind. I felt myself getting fatigued and winded. My legs felt good and I felt like I was still holding 8:45's but it seemed to take a lot more effort and at each mile marker my pace wasn't what I had been hoping for.
I got a little bit of a cheer / motivation as I made it back to the final 1.25 miles from a cheer squad. Up until that point, there wasn't much crowd support except for the occasional non-racer runner who gave us a thumbs up or a passing cyclist.
The final mile was really tough. There were a few rolling hills and I kept trying to push myself a bit harder. I managed to pass (and get passed) by a few runners but I was sort of worried about a guy who I had passed midway through the race who now had just passed me. He looked to be my age (I think he was older) but he had pulled quite a ways ahead of me.
My pace had slipped off more than I had hoped and I started to do the math as to when I should finish. I was hoping to go sub 1:55 and I just missed that mark.
I crossed the finish line and the first thing I had to do was use the restroom. I had debated going during the race but I didn't want to lose time and it probably wasn't all that urgent.
After using the facilities I grabbed some water and socialized a bit. Post race food was pizza, fruit, packaged granola snacks and my favorite Fat Boy ice cream sandwiches. It was too cold for them though.
I headed back to the finish line and checked the results and the race director alerted me I had won my age division. Sweet.
Overall, I felt like I had run pretty well. I had hoped for better. I did run faster than last year but a far cry from the 1:51 I ran in 2016. I really need to get my average mile per pace down but I am still feeling out what my fitness level is for 2018.
This race was worth running, especially at the price I paid.
I rolled in just after 8 and grabbed my shirt and a small goody bag lined with promotional stuff. I cycled through the bathroom a time or two.
It was cold and I debated on wearing a running jacket. I was definitely in with my shorts and paper thin gloves, but my core felt cold. I had doubled up on running shirts -- one short sleeved and a long sleeved over it. I opted just to go with that -- and I am glad I did. I would've roasted had I used a running jacket.
The race started at 9 and I took off at a fairly easy pace. I like to feel my way into a run and I wasn't sure what I had. I figured if I could do 8:45's -- at least for the first 5 miles or so, it would set me up for a pretty decent race. I knew this course wasn't downhill and I was running at a higher elevation, so 2 weeks ago half marathon of 1:49 wasn't going to happen.
It was fun loping along as we made our way down to the bike trail. I was listening to other people talk and occasionally reminisced with people about last year's wind tunnel fest.
It was crowded running but I was never hampered except for maybe the first 100 yards.
As I approached the bike trail I spotted some of the speedier folk heading back from the 5K. I think I would've been able to top 10 the race and I sort of wished I had done the 5K. But I was feeling good.
On this course you run north and for the most part the course is flat. There is an occasional mole hill of a hill on the trail or even a slight incline, but this is about as flat as it gets.
 |
| I think the guy pushing the stroller beat me, but I was following him the whole race |
There was a little bit of a head wind but it didn't feel like it slowed me down. It was NOTHING like last year, where the return 6.5 miles felt like you were behind a jet airplane.
The mile markers were more or less spot on and after the 10K runners turned around it was sort of lonely running. I was always within site of someone and occasionally I'd come upon and we'd run for a spell. About the only consistent runner I had to work with is the guy pushing a special needs person -- I dogged him pretty much the whole race.
I was so happy to see the turn around point. I was feeling pretty good and I had made good on my time of 8:45 min / miles. I was just fearing a crash and burn scenario. I popped a gel and grabbed some water from a volunteer and headed back.
There were only a few water stops at this race. Luckily the temperature didn't warrant more. And I carried my own. I probably could've gotten away with not bringing it, but I am glad I did. It seemed to help.
The final 3 miles were a grind. I felt myself getting fatigued and winded. My legs felt good and I felt like I was still holding 8:45's but it seemed to take a lot more effort and at each mile marker my pace wasn't what I had been hoping for.
I got a little bit of a cheer / motivation as I made it back to the final 1.25 miles from a cheer squad. Up until that point, there wasn't much crowd support except for the occasional non-racer runner who gave us a thumbs up or a passing cyclist.
The final mile was really tough. There were a few rolling hills and I kept trying to push myself a bit harder. I managed to pass (and get passed) by a few runners but I was sort of worried about a guy who I had passed midway through the race who now had just passed me. He looked to be my age (I think he was older) but he had pulled quite a ways ahead of me.
My pace had slipped off more than I had hoped and I started to do the math as to when I should finish. I was hoping to go sub 1:55 and I just missed that mark.
Conclusion
I crossed the finish line and the first thing I had to do was use the restroom. I had debated going during the race but I didn't want to lose time and it probably wasn't all that urgent.
After using the facilities I grabbed some water and socialized a bit. Post race food was pizza, fruit, packaged granola snacks and my favorite Fat Boy ice cream sandwiches. It was too cold for them though.
I headed back to the finish line and checked the results and the race director alerted me I had won my age division. Sweet.
Overall, I felt like I had run pretty well. I had hoped for better. I did run faster than last year but a far cry from the 1:51 I ran in 2016. I really need to get my average mile per pace down but I am still feeling out what my fitness level is for 2018.
This race was worth running, especially at the price I paid.
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