Official Time: 51:03
Placement: 9th overall, 1st in the 50-54 age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 60's 5 - 8 mph wind from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2019]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:44 | Uphill to start. Forgot that the first mile is agonizingly slow |
| 2 | 8:13 | Downhill here. Got some time back |
| 3 | 8:47 | Rolling hills along here. Tough times but finally got to the turn around |
| 4 | 8:38 | Wind in my face or at my back -- not sure, but this was slow going here. |
| 5 | 8:43 | Had to work going up |
| 6 | 8.30 | Crush it to the finish |
| 6.02 | 0.08 | |
| Total Miles: 6:02 - 51:46 | ||
Introduction
Sometime before this whole Covid-19 mess, I signed up for the Provo Canyon to Pleasant Grove 10K Race (PC2PG). I got a pretty sweet deal around Thanksgiving time -- I am thinking around $25. I had run the inaugural year and felt that it was a pretty good race. It was a place I hadn't run before and I thought the bike trail course was really nice.
In fact, last year, I won the 10K race, so I definitely wanted to defend my title (no pressure).
So to support a fledgling race I signed up for the 2020 edition and made my way down to Utah county to run the Murdock Trail once again.
The Race
I rolled in at about 7:15 for an 8:15 start. I could tell this race's attendance was much bigger than last year's. Definitely less parking (but it wasn't a problem to find parking).
Packet pickup was a snap and I wound up warming up and killing some time before the race's start. Due to Covid restrictions, we had a staggered start (we were starting with the 5K).
Normally everyone starts at once and you jockey for position. However, this time we had a staggered start. We were started off in spurts of about 20 seconds. It definitely helped to reduce close contact with others.
The first mile is definitely a gut check. I had forgotten how hilly it was. It isn't a massive hill but it'll definitely slow your first mile down. I was shocked to see the first mile flash on my Garmin in 8:44. Was I running that slow?
I doubled down on mile 2. I didn't even realize that there was a gentle downhill (I realized it on the way back, however). I was pretty excited to see mile 2 come in significantly faster.
The race -- after a brief residential stretch, is run on the Murdock Trail. It is a multi-use bike trail that is very wide. It was being used by other runners, cyclists, walkers and skateboarders. It wasn't terribly busy but with the half marathoners returning from their run as well us, it was busy.
There were 2 sections of road we had to cross over (we had to re-cross them on the way back) but other than that, we were pretty safe on the bike trail.
Mile 2 to 3 was a challenge. The race had thinned out at that point and I was feeling pretty warm. I was working off of a young man (probably half my age) for most of the race (he pulled ahead around mile 4) and I just didn't feel like I had endurance this time.
There was an aid station at the 5K turn around and at the 10K turn around. I was carrying a small flask with water in my shorts pocket -- simply to reduce my risk of covid.
The course came up short last year (6.07) and this year, my Garmin buzzed for the 3rd time right at the turn around. I was hurting, so I didn't mind, but some people's Garmin's had 6.10.
I kept telling myself to hang on (my hamstring has been sore and it was flaring up mid-run). I knew I could push the final mile if I had a little bit left since it was going to be a downhill.
There were a few 2 hour half marathoners to work off of, but no one else. There was no one chasing me down and the other 10K runners were a solid minute or two ahead of me.
I kept pushing though, mainly I wanted to beat last year's time -- which I wound up doing. The final half mile is a fast downhill and I certainly took advantage of it. I wanted to get in under 52 minutes and sure enough, I squeaked by!
Conclusion
Race finishes are definitely subdued these days. I knew quite a few people and as best as I could, I said hello to them.
They had a medal for you in a bag as well as some snacks. I had stashed my own drink at the end. Sometimes a bottle of water isn't enough and with restrictions in place, I might've needed more.
I was pretty worn near the end. I had expected to run this faster but I was humbled by this course. It was more hilly than I remembered. I still loved the course and I've been meaning to drive down there and explore the trail some more (as well as get some photos of the course).
They were out of t-shirts for me, so at some point one will be coming. The medal was nicely designed and I loved the lanyard. For the price I paid, I was happy with my experience.
My performance was solid on this one. Again, this one had some gentle hills, so my time was slower than a flat one. Also, I am happy to report I beat last year's time -- not by much, but at least some.
I would definitely do this one next year especially if I catch a nice deal on it..
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