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| Ready, set, go! |
Placement: 2nd in age group (50-54)
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 70's slight breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2015] [2012]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:52 | Easy start. |
| 2 | 10:03 | Holding steady |
| 3 | 9:55 | Had to bump up the energy expenditure to account for the hill. |
| 3.08 | 0:31 | Hell with it, sprint to the finish |
| Total Miles: 3.08 - 30:23 | ||
Introduction
So most summers, I wind up doing the Handcart Days races in Bountiful. The race is held at the county recreation center and is an affordably priced event that offers a chance to run on a very familiar course.
The race is tied to the local Pioneer Days events held in the Salt Lake area to commemorate the arrival of the first settlers into the area some 175 years ago. The city of Bountiful has a parade and various celebrations and this race is the local running event. I've been coming off and on (mostly on) to this race since 2012.
The 5K course, which I have had to have run more than 20 times by now, is always a good standard to use on where my current race fitness is at. And the handcart race is their 2nd race in a series of 5Ks scattered throughout the year.
The Race
So I should start out that this race recap is going to be a bit different that most others, in the fact that I wasn't racing this one. It was all about simply getting it done. I had no race goals, no personal drive to beat last time's time, or beat anyone. If I placed in my age group, great, if not, I was okay with it.
I had registered for this race several weeks ago and it wasn't until a week or two later that I was put on a strict diet of no running. This was mandated medically and it wasn't because I have Achilles tendonitis or runner's knee. It turns out that I have a congenital hole in my heart. I was informed about this late in the day on July 3rd just 12 hours before the Sandy City 4th of July.
Naturally, running with a structural defect in your heart is probably not the best idea.
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| Heading down the first mile |
So the Farmington Days 5K became a photo op day and the Sandy City 4th of July was a total no show. And there was no way I was going to be able to run the Deseret News half Marathon. So a busy summer series of racing suddenly because a whole lot of nothing. And as most of you know, there are no refunds with races.
I did wind up doing the Farmington Days race as a photographer. I managed to get my t-shirt and post race breakfast but I did not participate in that one. There was no finisher's medal and really no incentive for me. It was extremely difficult to sit that race out and if you are a regular reader, you know I like to be fairly competitive, if only against my self.
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| First turn of the Handcart 5K |
Over the past few weeks, I've gone to appointments to get this sorted out and to determine how concerned I should be and what the course of treatment should be. So far every test other than the EKG (that showed there was in fact a hole in my right ventricle) has come back passing with flying colors.
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| The first hill |
However, I still have had symptoms of the issue: some high blood pressure, AFib issues, and unexplained wooziness.
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| Summit of the first incline and 2nd turn |
So far the diagnosis is no surgery is required and to keep an eye on my high blood pressure. Things may change though as I seem to have one more appointment on Tuesday, which will include a stress test.
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| Now the long climb back to the start |
So with most indicators looking good and having run very likely a lifetime with this defect, I decided I'd take the chance and just easy run this one. I've been walking 3 to 6 miles a day and still doing some light physical therapy-like exercises to keep myself active.
So that's pretty much what I did with this race: I started way in the back, walked a bit, and then started jogging at what felt like an easy pace. It was nice to finally run but incredibly hard for me not to race it. I was being passed by other runners and my breathing was light and easy. I could certainly go faster. It took a LOT of restraint not to smash this one.
For those not in the know, the course starts off congested, a gentle downhill for about 1.25 miles, and then a grind back to the start. The last quarter mile or so is a fast and gentle downhill to the rear parking lot.
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| About mile 2.5 or so |
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| Looking back at where I had come |
I also took the opportunity to shoot some photos of the course as well. Since I run this course so frequently it might help others get a sense of how challenging the course is.
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| Usually the point at which I am just so done with the race. |
Conclusion
So my goal was to finish somewhere around 30 minutes. If I beat 30 minutes, it would mean I ran the course too fast. I was honestly figuring I'd get around 36 minutes. I know if I were racing, I'd be in the 25:30 zone.
After finishing, I did sit down and found no major issues. I did have a bit of AFib going on but after a while it did settle down.
I did wind up getting 2nd in my age group -- which was NOT expected. I was just hoping to finish and get my medal.
Post race refreshments included yogurt, fruit, fruit gummies, muffins, awesome ice cream popsicles, orange juice, water, Gatorade, and chocolate milk. I think in the past they used to have a pancake breakfast but this year they went all out with the post race refreshments.
Unfortunately, they didn't have my shirt size and they are pretty good about mailing them out. I absolutely love their shirts -- they are ones I frequently wear. The half marathon's medal was bigger but the 5K race's was definitely worthy of obtaining.
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| Award Ceremony Commences! |
As usual, I'll be looking forward to attending next year. I hope I'll be able to race it at 100% as well.
I'll be sure to keep my regular readers updated as to my running status (or find me on Strava)
Finisher's medal and age group prize
Upcoming Races
08/03: 2024 Roy Days 5K - Roy, UT (Confirmed)
08/17: 2024 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)
09/07: 2024 Cedar City Half Marathon - Cedar City, UT (Confirmed)
09/28: 2024 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
10/05: BLOCKED OUT WEEKEND
10/19: 2024 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
10/26: 2024 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
02/23: 2025 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
04/26:2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
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