Placement: 1st in the 50-54 age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 60's, breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2021] [2020] [2019]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:44 | Fairly long uphill to begin with. Easing into the race |
| 2 | 8:30 | Starting to pick up a bit of steam. Exactly where I wanted to be pace wise. |
| 3 | 8:43 | Can't wait to get to turn around. Feeling pretty warm |
| 4 | 8:53 | Been a while since I've run this far, this fast, so my legs were starting to feel it. |
| 5 | 9:12 | Pretty much wishing I was done |
| 6 | 8.49 | Really hoped to regroup here and smash the final mile. At times I did, but wasn't what I wanted |
| 6.11 | 0.52 | |
| Total Miles: 6:11 - 53:48 | ||
 |
| Well this is new - a beacon near the finish line |
Introduction
With the exception of last year, I've run the PC2PG race in Lindon Utah. Last year, I took a break from it and ran the Rock 'n Roll Salt Lake Half Marathon. So, when I heard the RnR run wasn't being held anymore and a Black Friday sale came about this past winter, I opted in for the PC2PG race.
Given that this is a summer race, I decided to go for the 10K. I am usually apprehensive about doing half marathons during the summer, given how hot it usually is. And, I've run the 10K every year, it felt like a safe choice.
The race is held in Lindon at Oak Hills Elementary and is an out and back course along the Murdock Bike Trail that skirts the eastern end of Utah county. There is about a half mile stretch on residential street, but most of the race is on the bike trail.
The Race
I arrived at the race headquarters just after 7:15. The 5K / 10K races started at 8:15 and that gave me ample opportunity to warm up and settle in. Parking was a bit hard to find on account that the half marathoners were bussed 2 hours earlier and they had taken up all the prime parking.
Either way, packet pickup went smoothly and I cycled through the bathroom a time or two.
I quickly realized that the race was well attended. It was nice to see that the races I've done of late are showing stronger attendance. I remember when this race had maybe 50 participants in the 10K. Clearly, there were more.
I'll be honest -- I had a lot of apprehension before the race. While, this race wasn't an "A" race for me, I was there to see how I was going to run in a 10K. It had been May since I've raced this sort of distance before. Also, whether it was nerves or something real, I just wasn't feel great. I've been under a fair amount of stress of late and it just seemed to be wreaking havoc on my heart health.
None the less I was going to give the race a go and see what I had in me to cover the 10K distance.
I did very little in terms of warm-up and I told myself to go in, ease into it, and if I had anything, to bring it on. Mentally, I set a goal of holding onto 8:30 or so.
The race started on time and we immediately exited the school's rear driveway and onto a surface street. We made a series of right turns before jumping onto the bike trail. The first half mile sets the tone for the race: it is mostly uphill and definitely brings your race goals back to reality.
My pace quickened upon reaching the bike trail, thanks to a patient climb. I found myself passing those that had taken the hill too hard. Mile 1 came up in 8:44. disappointing but not unexpected.
The Murdock trail is a multi-use trail and being it was Saturday morning it was busy. The trail is wider than most bike trails, though, which definitely helped. During the race you did have to pay attention to avoid cyclists and other runners.
Utah County is also a breeding ground for top tier talent and during the race it was inspiring to see YouTubers, elite, sub-elite athletes on their training runs.
I was holding my pace and gaining ground against many of the other runners. I hit 8:30 for mile 2, which was where I wanted to be.
The trail is mostly flat, but there are some undulating hills to contend with. Other than the first one, they are all tolerable, but make it hard to hit a consistent pace.
Around mile 2.5 I knew I was in for a long run. My legs felt like Jell-O and I was working harder than I should've been for the race. I was still running well but it felt incredibly hot and in the back of my mind I was worried about passing out or fainting, especially given my recent medical history.
After passing the 2nd aid station, we made a left turn before hitting the turn around, which came in around mile 3.06.
I knew the person marshalling the turn around and I got a word of encouragement from them. I didn't have much left and it felt incredibly warm. My one complaint about this race is that I'd love to see it start at 7 AM rather than 8:15. The different in temperature would make a nice difference.
As the race progressed my pace slipped. What helped to keep me motivated though was that the returning half marathoners were on the same course. The ones that were in my field of vision were running about 2 hours / 2 hours 10, so on the return trip I was working on reeling in them as well. While they weren't apart of my race, they gave me something to work towards.
I didn't really see anyone in my age group and one guy that I felt was in my age group was well ahead of me (turns out there were only 2 of us in the 50 - 54 age category).
My pace was slowly dropping and I was running on fumes. I kept telling myself to be patient and I should be able to close out the race. I felt like I was working harder than my pace dictated, so it was frustrating. This race wasn't exactly going to plan.
The last mile, I had visions of smashing. I knew it was a net downhill and being familiar with the course, I knew how much longer I had to run.
However, I couldn't quite the engine turning over. I did however, take advantage of the downhill section that had crushed my initial start. And during the final .15 of a mile, I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone was trying to overtake me, but the coast was clear. Even in that final stretch, I did drop the hammer but that final kick really wasn't there.
Finally, I crossed under the OnHillEvents arch and double over trying to catch my breath. Part of me wondered if I had pushed too hard and I was going to trigger a medical event -- but fortunately, I didn't. After a few seconds, I sauntered over to the medal volunteer and grabbed my medal and found a bottle of Gatorade I had stashed and drank greedily.
Conclusion
So, I finally got in a distance longer than 5K and for the most part it went well. My time, however, was pedestrian. I had crossed in 53:48 -- good enough for first place in my age division, but a full 150 seconds slower than 2022.
Post race refreshments were fruit, sports drink, ice cream sandwiches and there was a vendor with carbonated water. In fact, unlike other OnHillEvents, this one had quite a few 3rd party providers of services and goods. It felt like a big time race and it was exciting to see given the race's humble beginnings. The t-shirt -- nice design but still not a fan of the cotton / polyester mix.
The medal was also very nice and heavy. The design was simple but definitely worthy of earning. I also snagged an age group award, so I was happy to come home with 2 medals. I honestly was worried I was going to place at all given the size of the race AND how many people were running the 10K.
My race performance -- simply "meh". I honestly figured 55 minutes was about where I was going to come in at so getting 53 minutes was a boost. Overall though, I expected to be in the low 50s / 49s when the year started.
I really enjoyed myself at the race. The race is well attended and many of my friends were there, so in part it was a social event. I really like the course but it was crowded with all the runners and cyclists. Overall, this race is just a joy to attend and I hope to get redemption next year.
Upcoming Races
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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