Placement: 2nd in age group (55-59), 42nd overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: upper 70's slight breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2024] [2022] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2015] [2012]
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:18 | Solid start. In control and slightly downhill. |
| 2 | 9:02 | I expected better. I felt like I was running 8:30 - 8:45 |
| 3 | 9:23 | Uphill mile. Once I reached the summit though, my pace quickened |
| 3.07 | 0:29 | Push it to the finish |
| Total Miles: 3.07 - 27:11 | ||
Introduction
So in hindsight, signing up for the Handcart Days 5K race in Bountiful Utah was probably not a smart idea. I had just run the Deseret News 10KM a few days before. I've been battling a lot of over-racing, over-running and over training.
But the Handcart Days race is one of my summer traditions and for a budget price of about $30, it is worth the expenditure. If you are new to the blog, then this course I do about 3 times a year. Once for this race, once for Valentine's Day and once for Thanksgiving. In the past dozen years or so that I've lived in Utah, I usually do this course at least twice.
The race is held at the Bountiful Recreation center (otherwise known as the South Davis Recreation Center). There is a gym to pick up your bib and flush toilets and a place to wash your hands. Just a nice place to hold a race.
The Race
The race offers a half marathon and a 5K. At one point, I used to run the half marathon, but as time has taken its toll on me, I've had to resort to attending the 5K. The half marathon starts at 5:30 AM and the 5K, 6:30 AM. I arrived at the race just a hair past 5:30 and was able to grab my bib in the gymnasium in short order.
 |
| Packet Pickup |
I did a very short warm-up since it was already stiflingly warm. I kept it very easy and did a few dynamic movements. I was definitely feeling the effects of the 10K race that I did two days ago.
I told myself that I was racing, but not racing. I knew today wasn't going to exceed any expectations. However, I was going to push myself as hard as my body would take it.
I told myself that I was racing, but not racing. I knew today wasn't going to exceed any expectations. However, I was going to push myself as hard as my body would take it.
At 6:30 AM, we started.
To save time, the course is basically a neighborhood run along two of Bountiful's larger streets. With the early start, traffic wasn't that big of a deal and while the roads were open, there isn't much of a threat to one's safety.
 |
| Downhill on the first mile |
The first mile of the course is a slight downhill and is always the fastest one. After a mile and a quarter, one turns east and the long hill begins. Your pace slows and the race really doesn't get any faster until nearly the start of mile 3. The last quarter mile gives you a chance to rebound, but the race is largely already decided your fate at that point.
 |
| The climb at about mile 1.25 |
I went out fairly conservatively on mile 1. Strong but not all out. I felt like I was holding back a bit and I enjoyed the downhill as I benefited from the gentle downhill. I don't think I looked at my watch once and I was pretty happy to run an 8:19 for the first mile.
I had been scoping out of my competition and I hadn't seen anyone that appeared to be in my age group. However, I had been passed by a large number of people. The race is popular with family and children but I was worried as during my warm-up I had spotted some speedy looking people who appeared to be my age.
 |
| Runners at about mile 3 |
Rounding the fabled corner that starts the climb back to the starting area. I felt like my pace dropped. But I didn't want to get overly anxious about it -- once again never checking in with my watch.
I knew where the mile markers were at given previous history so I knew how much further I had to run at any given point.
I sped by the race's only aid station and was greeted with the long, slow grind. It is a gentle grade that gradually gets harder. I had people working with me and it was nice to have some competition, even if they weren't in my age group or gender, to work off of. It made me not give up.
Mile 2 -- I knew would be slow, but not 9:02 slow. And I was working too hard for that pace.
As always, I told myself the journey to mile 3 would be faster. However, mile 2 to 3 is never faster. The hill just gets steeper. And it is relentless. Again, I felt like I was running fast and I was working hard, but the summit just takes forever to reach.
Once I reached the summit, with about a quarter mile to go, I was able to switch gears, putting in a final sprint to the finish. My watch did alert me to the fact that I had just run a 9:23 final mile, which was depressing.
Conclusion
What can I say? I came into a tough course, on tired legs, on a warm day -- I expected kind of a slow time and that's what I got. I had a right to be a little miffed about it, but at the same time, there was no way I was going to turn in a massive, time shattering run.
I managed to check the results in short order and discovered I had come in 2nd place.
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| Medal + shirt + finisher's award |
I wasn't too distraught about my time. Embarrassed a bit, perhaps. But I was able to grab my phone and get photos and cheer on incoming runners.
 |
| Donuts -- they had more! |
Post race refreshments this year included high end donuts, bananas, sports drink / water, oranges, packaged snacks, and yogurt / granola mixes. It was actually a nice spread given the budget of the race.
The shirt was nice and one I'll definitely wear again. The medal was cool and I think they've given out the cow bells before for an age group award.
Overall, from an entertainment standpoint, I had a great time and the race is a good value. They've also greatly improved on the time it takes to hand out the awards. So all in all, a great morning out in Bountiful.
Hopefully the next few races, with some recovery, will see an uptick of race times. I've been working too hard of late not to get any benefit out of all the training I've been doing.
Upcoming Races
08/09: 2025 Alpine Days 5K - Alpine, UT (Confirmed)
08/16: 2025 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)
08/23: 2025 Path to Opioid Prevention Half Marathon - Riverdale, UT (Confirmed)
03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
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