Placement: 80th overall, 3rd in the 50 - 54 age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 70's, 8 mph wind from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:08 | Off to a decent start. Headwind though |
| 2 | 8:31 | Really fatigued here. A bit of running on dirt road with rolling hills. |
| 3 | 8:48 | The last half mile I was really pushing it, but there were some hills here |
| 3.09 | 0:38 | Not a bad pace for finishing up. |
| Total Miles: 3.09 - 26:09 | ||
Introduction
Several months ago, I signed up for the Riverton Country Races 10K race. Riverton hosts a number of races each year and this is their summer race, which is tied to their city's celebration. They are primary noted for their March half marathon (and 5K).
I discovered this race a year ago and it is a bargain -- but super competitive and only the first in each age group wins something. I managed to nab a great bargain of about $10 to register for the 10K race.
The Race
I showed up to the race well in advance and managed to snag my bib pretty quickly. I also got there early to switch race distances. I had signed up for the 10K but I knew I wasn't really capable of racing a 10K. After being injured / sick the last few months, my endurance and volume of running is at an all time low. So I made the wise decision of doing the 5K.
The 10K started off at 7 AM and the 5K started at 7:15. I managed to use the (plentiful) bathrooms before the race and get in a solid warm-up. I was a little apprehensive standing at the starting line -- it was a big crowd, breezy and I had already worked up a decent sweat. Summer racing in July is usually challenging.
The race was off and I certainly remember the race starting off in a different pattern than last year's addition. Seemed a little weird to go charging over the lawn, jumping into the parking lot and then heading out into the street -- but it was follow the leader.
My goal on the first mile was to go out solid but not all out. There was a stiff headwind and I wanted to run behind someone who was a little bigger than me and running at the same pace. I was semi-successful at this.
The first mile was also a gentle incline. Nothing too crazy but it definitely took some extra effect. It was warm and the hilly part was coming up. The race was along a residential street lined with some older homes. I recognized the route as it is the home stretch of the March half marathon and part of the 5K course as well.
I hit the first mile at 8:09. Not too bad but I felt like I had already used a ton of energy just to run that. We hung a left onto another street and sprinted down a long hill. I had the painful realization that I was going to have to run back up that hill (being that the course was an out-and-back).
After another short distance, we hung a right and headed down Lover's Lane. Lover's Lane is a rolling hills road lined with well-to-do houses and a pretty nice view of the Wasatch Range to your left. Normally I'd love running along here but I was suffering.
I finally hit the turn around and glanced at my watch. Exactly 1.55 miles. This was going to be a legitimate 5K race. I always love it when race organizers get the distance correct.
Also the turn around was a welcome sign of relief. I now had a bit of a tailwind as I sped northward along Lover's Lane.
Finally Mile 2 dinged on my Garmin: 8:31. Disappointing but not unexpected. The hills and heat and wind were taking it out of me. I just hoped I could rebound a bit but I also knew I had a solid quarter mile of "uphill" before I'd finish.
I made it up the hill and finally made the right turn to make the final .75 of a mile back to the finish line. With a gentle decline, the wind at my back, I still had hopes of at least a little redemption. There were times along here that I was running well, but I was spent.
I pushed the final .10 and was hoping to crack 26 miles but I didn't quite make it -- turning in a disappointing 26:09.
Conclusion
So this was definitely NOT the race I wanted. After a nice run last weekend, this one was a flop.
A couple of reasons for this:
1) It was warm
1) It was warm
2) I had a really lousy week of training due to my injury
3) This course was significantly harder than last week's.
The smart thing I did do was drop to the 10K and make the most of it.
This race cost $10 -- I signed up very early for it and it was a bargain. The race was well organized. No r-shirt for this one, which was fine but I did get a finisher's medal and post race refreshments. The finisher's medal (I think) appears to be recycled from last year.
I did have a good time and I was happy to get some "hard" miles in. I am still acclimating to the heat, so there's been a lot of adjustment. Also, my training has been more miss than hit.
Upcoming Races
07/09: 2022 Farmington Days 5K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)
07/16: 2022 Draper Days 5K - Draper, UT (Confirmed)
07/23: 2022 Handcart 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
07/30: 2022 Alien Run - Farmington, UT (Maybe)
08/06: 2022 Roy Days 5K - Roy, UT (Maybe)
08/13: 2022 Bluffdale Badlands 5K / 10K - Bluffdale, UT (Maybe)
08/20: 2022 Provo Canyon to Pleasant Grove 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)
09/03: 2022 Swiss Days 10K - Midway, UT (Maybe)
10/01: 2022 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
10/22: 2022 Haunted Emigration Canyon 5K - Salt Lake City (Confirmed)
10/29: 2022 Haunted Half Provo 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
01/14: 2023 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)
02/26: 2023 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
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