Placement: 2nd in the 50 - 59 age division, 28th overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 60's, slight breeze
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2021] [2019] [2018] [2012]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:16 | Almost immediate hill to start the race. Being patient |
| 2 | 7:44 | Nice downhill stretch here. Gaining back some lost time |
| 3 | 8:23 | Slight uphill here. Still trying to stay strong |
| 4 | 8:23 | Consistent but hurting |
| 5 | 9:03 | Tough mile here. Lots of turns and fighting a gradual uphill |
| 6 | 8:14 | Scored a gentle downhill towards the finish line. Managed to kick it up a notch |
| 6.13 | 0:55 | Throwing everything I've got at the final stretch |
| Total Miles: 6.13 - 51:02 | ||
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| Packet Pickup |
Introduction
One of my favorite summer traditions is running the Farmington Festival Days races. I first discovered the race when I first moved here in 2012 and it sort of fell off my radar. I think it conflicted with some other races for a while.
A few years ago I decided to jump into it again. I think initially it was a 5K and half marathon and at some point it became simply a 5K and 10K race. They also boast "the best post-race breakfast in Utah", which is an instant "yes sir" for me.
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| The initial hill that starts the race. |
The Race
Farmington is a small-ish, well to do town in the middle of Davis county. The few times I visited, I initially was interested in moving there. However, it was a bit of a commute for my job at the time.
There is a good mix of old houses, farm land, and new houses along this mostly residential run. It is also known for being hilly with a good mix of uphill and downhill.
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| The final quarter mile of the race |
The race started at 7 AM and I was there to get my bib at 6:15. It was easy and quick. I took some photos and greeted the timer of the race, who is a personal friend, before getting my gear together and getting about a mile of a warm-up.
I took the time to get reacquainted with the initial hill -- which is about .3 of a mile long and hits you just as you start the race. I was conjuring a strategy on how to tackle it without killing my race within the first half mile.
There were about 400 runners, most of whom were running the 5K. The start was initially congested, but soon we got into a groove. The initial hill melted away fairly quickly and we made a right hand turn onto a main street.
I could see the top of the hill and I increased my pace just ever so slightly. Finally I reached the top and I wasn't gassed at all - and I quickly got into 10K pace.
We were running the 5K runners at this point, who would once again make a turn and leave us just as we were entering the final few miles. Most of them were walkers but it was nice to get encouragement from them.
I was able to scan my bib with my phone and I was delighted to see that I had indeed won my age group. Wow! Granted, there were only 2 of us in that age group.
I was rewarded with a really cool medal. It is the standard metal one but has an innovative chunk of wood glued to it with the name of the race.
The first mile rang up at 8:15 -- exactly where I had hoped to be. A strong start but not out of control.
From previous experience I knew mile 2 was going to be a fast one. There is a strong temptation to think that the worst is over and just to smash it, but I held back a bit. I was trying to get a sense of who my competition was as well. I was still running with the 5K runners and occasionally someone who I figured to be my age (or older) sped by.
I was getting a sense that I wasn't going to place in my age group. The race has 10 year age increments and I got a sense at best I would be 3rd.
Finally the 5K runners peeled off and we continued heading south. The crowd had definitely thinned out and I hit the mile 2 point with a blazing 7:45.
My heart rate felt good and I wasn't breathing heavy, but in looking at previous runs of this race, mile 2 to 3 was the start of the end.
This section of the race is mostly flat but is a gradual uphill. It always feels like running through quicksand. I had competition and found myself running with a few other guys. I kept telling myself to be patient but strong.
Mile 3 came up reading 8:23. A decent mile, but I would've loved to have been at the 8:15 mark. I hoped to pick up the pace, but the problem was, I was really struggling.
The roughest mile of the race begins around mile 4. It is also the most fun though. You leave the main road and jump onto a bike trail of sorts behind the Lagoon Amusement Park. It is a steady grind of turns and slightly uphill. It was hard to get into a rhythm and I was running solo. I had broken free of the guys I was running with and was simply eating the dust of a woman who was making ground on me.
I was a little more than discouraged when I saw a 9 minute mile come up.
Finally I got back to the main road and after a short climb up a hill I was greeted with the final mile, which is a gentle decline. I got a bit of a second wind here as I sped down parade route. The street was lined with mature trees and it was shaded. I didn't see anyone behind me and there wasn't anyone to chase down, but I was hoping that I had a shot at an age group award.
Finally, I hit the strip of road behind the city hall building. I could hear the faint din of music and crowds. I knew the course traditionally measures a little short so with just shy of 6 miles to go, I pushed it to the finish.
Conclusion
I crossed the finish line in 51:02. Not exactly the time I was hoping for (I was hoping for about 50:30 - 50:45). I was totally spent though - and I knew it would require that level of effort given the warmer than usual temperatures and the hilly nature of the course.
There are no finisher's medals at this race -- your finisher medal, so to speak, is the post race breakfast. After socializing a bit, visiting my car for a change of clothes and getting a bit rehydrated I made my way over to the breakfast tent.
They were already passing out the 5K awards and by the time I had gotten my food and sat down, there were starting to work on the 10K.
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| Post race breakfast |
I was rewarded with a really cool medal. It is the standard metal one but has an innovative chunk of wood glued to it with the name of the race.
So, this race remains one of the best bargains as far as racing goes. You get a timed, marshalled course with a breakfast and an opportunity for an award for about $25. Post race refreshments were bottled water, oranges, bananas and sports drink. There were two water stops on the course that were well crewed and helpful. The course was well marked and supported by Farmington's police force.
I am sort of "blah" over my race time. It is a course personal best for me, but I didn't quite hit the mark I was hoping for. I was also a little miffed to see that I wouldn't have placed in the top 3 for both the 40 - 49 and 60 - 69. Comparison is the thief of joy, however and I should remember I did pace this reasonably well and I did have a good time. Despite the summer heat, it was a beautiful morning and I managed to pace the race nearly exactly what I had hoped I could do. I just need to get better at mile 4 to 5 though.
I plan on coming here next year. The breakfast makes it worth while and I really enjoy my visits to Farmington. Definitely one of the prettiest places to run in northern Utah.
Upcoming Races
07/22: 2023 Steele Days 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)
07/24: 2023 Desert News Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
08/05: 2023 Roy Days 5K - Roy, UT (Confirmed)
08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
02/25: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
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