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| Start line before the crowds |
Placement: 4th in the 55 - 59, 102nd overall, 75th male.
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: upper 20's, breeze from the south.
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:55 | Nice start. In control |
| 2 | 8:40 | Not sure what happened. I think I dialed it back too much. |
| 3 | 8:43 | Actually hung on nicely here. |
| 3.08 | 0:31 | Dash to the finish |
| Total Miles: 3.08- 25:51 | ||
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| Runners Coming into the final homestretch |
Introduction
Once again, in 2024 I found myself toeing the line up in Bountiful, Utah on Thanksgiving Day. So many races are in the valley -- probably half a dozen or more and I always choose this one.
Since I moved into Salt Lake in 2012, I've pretty much run this race every year. It is easy, affordable and well run. And usually I am able to snag a pie for Thanksgiving Day. Also, I know the course -- I usually get the opportunity to run it 3 times a year.
The race is held at the Bountiful Recreation Center, so there is a warm place to hang out before the race and flush toilets. It's just a great way to kick start the day.
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| Packet pickup |
The Race
I got to the race site a little after 7 AM for the 8 AM race start. It was a chilly morning and the sun hadn't quite gotten shown up yet. One of the advantages of arriving early is finding a good parking spot. With the gym goers there plus a large race, parking gets to be a bit of mess if you don't snag a good spot quickly.
I managed to snag my bib, chit chat with fellow runners and volunteers. I cycled through the bathroom a time or two and did a few strides, drills and a fairly short warm-up. I was actually feeling pretty good, coming into the race.
It was chilly and most people were bundled up. I have been training in colder weather, so I got on a pair of thin gloves, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and short shorts. I was chilled while waiting for the race to start, but overall, I was adequately dressed and I knew I'd warm up quickly.
The race started on time and I headed off. I had lined up near the front and managed to get off to a decent start. In years past, I was usually hemmed in, but this year I was running at race pace pretty quickly.
My times in the 5K race distance haven't been stellar and this course is a teaser: it starts off on a gentle downhill and after about 1.25 miles, you hang a turn and the gradual ascent begins. The hardest part of the course is from mile 2 to about mile 2.75.
The first mile is the best though: I am feeling fresh, I had a little tailwind and I felt comfortable. I noticed almost immediately that I was being swallowed up by a lot of faster runners. It was a bit demoralizing but I held on, knowing I was banking some energy for the harder sections of the course.
Mile 1 came in at 7:55 -- I knew this was slower, but my legs really weren't moving much faster. Still, I felt good though.
The race splits off from the 10K at this point and most of the runners were doing the 5K. I knew I had one guy ahead of me in my age group and I wasn't really sure where the others were. I just had to run the race as best as I could and hope for the best -- I certainly wanted to come home with a Thanksgiving pie.
The mile 1.25 mark always slows me down. I know what lies ahead and mentally I dial it back. The hill that greets you didn't look that bad but my pace definitely took a hit. I got a bit of encouragement as I sped through the aid station at the halfway mark. I felt my pace increase just a bit.
The final looming hill really doesn't kick off until mile 2 but the between the aid station and mile 2, it is a slow grind upwards. The first major traffic light is the mile 2 marker and I hit that in a disappointing 8:40. I knew it was going to be a slow mile, but not that slow.
While my legs weren't turning over very well, I did feel like my pace was good. I knew today wasn't going to be a PR day, but I was still running with other runners and we were keeping each other honest. I hadn't given up!
I focused on form and working my way up the hill. I knew the course, how far the top was and if I could just maintain my current pace and not crash and burn, I could perhaps redeem the race a bit.
I was still working on maintaining my position and taking down a few of the people. A runner who looked to be in my age group passed me, and I tried to stay with him. But he had a more consistent and stronger pace going. I knew he might be whether I "medaled".
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| Prizes |
Reaching the summit, I knew there was basically flat and a gentle downhill left to go. I felt my pace quicken.
I got some cheers from bystanders and I could hear the clamor from the finish line. My mile 3 rang up on my watch and it came in at 8:43. I've done worse on the final mile of this race, so I wasn't too upset.
I finally turned the corner and ran through the finish line -- 25:51.
Update: Originally I had posted that I finished 3rd in my age group. My name was called for 3rd at the race and in looking at the results after the race I was 3rd. But in looking at the race results a day later, I am finding myself in 4th with a new person introduced in 2nd place. I have a hunch there were some corrections after the race and I never intended to take an age group prize from another runner.
Conclusion
I had another runner I knew ahead of me and he congratulated almost immediately -- I had finished in 3rd in my NEW age division 55-59. I had just turned 55 the day before, so I was excited to see I'd probably be going home with a pie (you never know with chip timed races until the very end).
I wound up returning back to my car almost immediately to get warmer clothes and a camera to take pictures of other runners coming in.
It was starting to warm up -- just a bit -- and it made the wait for the awards a lot more tolerable.
Socializing with other runners really helped pass the time. With the 10K still in progress, it took a bit of time to get the awards out. To be honest, though the situation has gotten a LOT better recently and the results / awards are handed out in a reasonable amount of time.
I was able to snag a chocolate pie for my award so I was very happy to go home with some extra food for Thanksgiving.
Overall, I am okay with time. It is within the realm of expectation, but it is a huge drop off from last year and when I raced the same course in February. I am not sure what has happened in 2024, but this was another reminder that my fitness / running ability has dropped off a cliff.
As usual, the recreation center provides an awesome medal and t-shirt. Post race refreshments included: chocolate milk, water / sports drink(?), oranges, bananas, donuts, fruit gummies and muffins. About what I would expect to see at a race for around $25.
I enjoyed my morning, and while my time was disappointing, I was happy to celebrate the holiday with fellow runners and friends. I plan to run this race for as long as I am in the area.
Upcoming Races
11/17 2024 Utah County Santa Run 5K - Salem, UT (Confirmed)
03/01: 2025 March Madness 10K - Woods Cross, UT (Confirmed)
03/15 2025 Lucky 13 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
04/26: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)
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