2025 Eggs Legs 10K Race Recap - West Jordan, UT

Easter themed billboard at Gardner Village

Official Time: 53:16
Placement: 1st in the 55-59 age division, 29th overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 30's, Breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: Previous Years: [2024] [2023] [2022] [2021]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:38	Controlled start. A little hemmed in but was running strong
2	8:33	Still a solid effort
3	8:47	Pretty baked at this point. Still running okay though the but the turn around couldn't come soon enough
4	8:49	Pushing hard.
5	8:57	Running on fumes
6	8:58	Guarding my position but at this point, my position was locked in.
6.07	0:30	Looking good at the finish line.
	Total Miles: 6.07 - 53:16

Packet pickup at Gardner Village

Introduction

Another weekend -- another race.  I hadn't raced the previous weekend and I opted to give another 10KM a go.  I decided to give my local race another shot -- after my terrible showing at the Lucky 13 Race about a month ago.

I have felt stronger and better suited to racing and I knew that this weekend was going to be a better result than my horrid 56:12 time at Lucky 13.  Am I in personal best shape? Definitely not, but I knew I could do better.

This race is held at Gardner Village, a local shopping area, a mere 2 miles from my house.  I usually train on the course on my Sunday long runs and I am very familiar with the area. 

Due to flooding, the race was held on an open lot just south of the village.  Normally the race starts and ends at the village but due to an underpass being flooded, it was moving to a dryer spot.

Ready to race!

The Race

I had gotten my bib 2 days before the race.  With Friday being Good Friday, packet pickup was on a Thursday.  So by the time I got to the race site on Saturday morning I was ready to go.

The 10KM race started at 8 AM.  The half marathoners had started at 7 AM and the largest race of all -- the 5KM would start at 9 AM.

It was chilly out but dry.  There was a bit of a breeze but it wasn't terrible.  I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, thin gloves, arm warmers and my Saucony Pro 3's.  I was very comfortable throughout the race.  I felt sorry for some that had overdressed as it warmed up quickly, especially when the sun came over the mountains.

The race started on time and after a brief warm-up, I felt pretty good.  The race is held on the Jordan River Bike Trail and runs south towards the city of Sandy, and ultimately into South Jordan.  I lined up near the start and was ready to race!

The first quarter mile was a little congested as we sorted out the faster runs with the slower ones.  I had surveyed my competition and didn't see anyone around me that looked to be my age.

I felt comfortable as we sped across a bridge and I settled into a strong, but not dying pace.  

Looking fresh at the start

Mile 1 came up at about 8:37, solid.  I was hoping to go a bit faster but given where my fitness is at (which isn't very good) I'll take it.  It was also at this point that a man, who appeared to be my age, overtook me and put a bit of a lead on me.  I made it my mission to stick with him.

I was working with a group of runners, so I wasn't running along.  Most of the people were at least half my age but it kept me motivated, although mentally, I was fatigued from the route: I run this route all the time, so it wasn't terribly exciting.

As we continued south, I noticed that there was a bit of a breeze. It wasn't awful but it just seemed to slow me down a bit.  There really wasn't much of anyone to run behind either.  The effort also seemed to be getting harder.  How long could I hold this?

I got a bit of water at the 5KM turn around and continued into Sandy. I was in the top 20 at this point and I want to say that I had overtaken my competitor. Was there anyone else my age ahead of me?  I really didn't care, I just kept pushing.  Mile 2 came in at 8:33, faster yet.  Could this be a breakout race?

I couldn't wait for the turnaround.  I had reached the golf course and this part always seems to break me down.  Mentally, I am usually tired at this point and I keep willing myself forward to get to the turn around so I can be done.  This is where there race suddenly gets "real".

5KM runners in the home stretch

After a series of turns along the golf course area (but still a paved path for cyclists and runners) I finally saw the 2nd aid station, which would mean that I am close to the turn around.  Thank goodness!

I hit mile 3 just shy of the aid station in 8:47. I knew it was going to be a slower mile but I told myself I'd negative split it.  

The mile markers were mostly spot on and I was shocked to see the mile 3 marker and then almost immediately after it, the turn around (which coincided with the aid station). I suspect we were supposed to go a bit further but given that everyone else turned around at the stationed cone, I did as well. The course was going to be a bit short.

At the turn around, I realized that I was being pursued by a bunch of runners. I clearly appeared to be one of the older ones but still, I was so focused on picking up my pace, I really didn't care.  My competitor wasn't in sight fortunately.

From about mile 2 on, I was encountering many returning half marathoners.  At various points in the race, as runners paced me, I wondered if they were running the 10K or half marathon.  It made me nervous when another runner my age passed by me who I wasn't going to be able to catch.  Fortunately, he was running the half marathon.

My pace alternated between a shuffle and an elegant tempo paced stride at this point. I got some cheers of encouragement from outgoing 10KM runners which helped me.  That is one thing I like about this race, is the community support.

Mile 4, despite my best efforts was an 8:49. I wasn't getting any faster.

At this point, I was grinding and occasionally a half marathoner would glide by me. Very frustrating because here they were 11 miles into the race and I was less than 5. Why couldn't I keep up?  I wasn't sure at this point who was running what distance either.  Occasionally I'd throw a look over my shoulder to see if anyone was pursuing me, but the people I did see were female or clearly younger than me.

Looking south along the Jordan River Bridge

Mile 5 was an 8:59.  Yuck.  Why couldn't I run faster?

Even though my position was pretty much locked in, I really made an attempt to push as hard as I could for the final 1 and change miles.  I knew it wasn't going to be a record setting day, but it meant something to me to just dig deep.

Some runners who were on the cool down shouted encouragement and there were a handful of spectators as well.  Again, mentally, I was strong but my body wasn't cooperating.  Mile 6 was just as painful as 5.

Finishing Strong (looking)

I was (sort of) grateful that the race was a bit short.  The agony ended about a minute sooner than a full length 10 KM race.  But I made a strong showing and gave it all I had in the final sprint.  I sped into the finish line just as the 5KM runners were starting to assemble for their 9 AM start.

Finish line mayhem

Conclusion

All in all, a massive improvement over Lucky 13 race.  But definitely a massive let down versus last year.  I felt pretty good, especially at the start, but the speed endurance wasn't there. In January, I probably could've held onto an 8:15 pace but, now it seems a lot harder.  Overall, this was good, but not where I want to be. I am still hungry for improvement.

I grabbed my finisher's medal and congratulated those that had finished around me.  Assuming some of the people in the half marathon weren't actually running the 10KM race, I felt pretty confident I had finished first.  

I checked my phone and saw that I was in first and the other runner that had taken an early lead took 2nd.  

I wound up getting some photos of other runners as they came in.  I also had an opportunity to see the 5 KM runners start (and finish)

Podium Photo

I wound up taking 1st in my age group, so it was a double medal Saturday.  

Post race refreshments included granola bars, fruit, sports drink and cheese sticks.  I was a late registrant so the race was close to $50.  The shirt was nice and I actually wore it on this morning's long run (Easter Sunday) so it seemed appropriate.  Still, not 100% polyester but it held up.  Maybe I'll have to reconsider some of these shirts.  The medals were also nicely designed.

The course is flat and well supported.  All the important turns were clearly marked or marshalled.  If you haven't run in the West Jordan / Sandy / South Jordan portion of the Jordan River Bike Trail, this will be a treat, but for me it was old hat.  There is something to be said, though, for competing on your home turf. Other than the 10KM being a little short (the other two races appear to have been spot on), this was a very enjoyable race.

If you are looking for an Easter themed race check this one out.

Upcoming Races

04/26: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/04: 2025 Bob Blazier Run for the Arts 5K -- Crystal Lake, IL (Confirmed)

05/10: 2025 Run Farmington 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

06/28: 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Lucky 13 10K Race Recap - West Jordan, UT

Somewhat Happy times at the start

Official Time: 56:12
Placement: 2nd in the 55-59 30th overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 30sF, 10 mph+ breeze from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2021] [2019] [2018] [2014]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:44	Crowded start. Had to do a lot of navigating
2	8:50	Cleared up, but first half of the mile was fairly congested
3	8:57	Definitely not my day. The turnaround can't come soon enough
4	9:12	Can I rebound? A bit of headwind though.  Just trying to finish at this point
5	9:13	Just picking up milestones in the distance and trying to reach them
6	9:23	Felt like I was running a lot faster here
6.19	1:37	Finally, finished.
	Total Miles: 6.20 - 55:58

Packet Pickup at Gardner Village

Introduction

One of the St Patrick's Day race traditions for me is doing OnHillEvents' Lucky 13 Race.  I've done this race several times over the past decade.  The race, however, has changed a bit over time -- different locations throughout the northern Utah area.

Normally where the race is held

Like the past several years, this year's race was held at Gardner Village -- a mere 1.75 miles from my house.  It makes it super convenient and I know the course well; doing many of my long runs on Sundays along the course.

I had gotten a pretty good deal on the race from the race organizer's Black Friday sale and given the familiarity with the race, it made it a no-brainer to attend.

Pre-race mayhem

The Race

Packet pickup was strongly encouraged for Friday and given that Gardner Village is less than 2 miles from my house, I made the jaunt there after my work day was done. There was a bit of a line-up but overall, it was a quick in-and-out experience.  It also saved myself anxiety getting my bib the day of the race.

Normally the race starts and ends at the shopping center.  But given that just days before the race, the underpass that leads from the shopping center to the bike trail was flooded, the race was held about a quarter of a mile down the trail from the shopping center.  The starting area isn't as elegant as the shopping center but it did save us the misfortunate of having to go into ankle deep water at the start of the race.

Coming into the race, I knew it would be a long shot for me to turn in a decent time. I have some posterior tibilias tendonitis and I was coming off a week of no running.  Ever since Vegas (and even before), I haven't been in peek shape and my running has felt labored, and honestly, not coming easy.

Normally, the race starts off with the half marathon, followed by the 10K runners (me) and the 5K.  As the racers started to congregate to line up, I presumed that they were all half marathoners.  From previous experiences I would start about 5 - 10 minutes later.

Long story short -- I was wrong.

Suffice to say I was one of the last ones to start. And given that the race was being run on a standard-issue bike trail with nearly 700 runners -- it meant a very congested start.

So I spent the first mile navigating my way around walkers and slower runners.  They were pretty much occupying the entire lane too; so I was doing a lot of running in the dirt on the side of the trail or gently trying to merge my way through shoulder-to-shoulder runners.

I knew it was going to be a tough day, but this wasn't how I was hoping I'd start the day.  

The first mile came in at 8:44.  I expected to be slow but I was also okay with it given my current level of fitness.

The race crowd begin to thin, but also at this point, I was dealing with the 5K lead pack coming the other way.  Any passing lane I felt like I could take suddenly was blocked off.  Still I was okay with it. 

Once I passed through the mile marker (perfectly placed at 1.55 miles), the crowd thinned out and I could no longer use crowds as any sort of a justification of my pace.

I had no idea who my competition was (although a friend of mine was running the 10K who is in my age group -- who is also MUCH faster than me), so I knew at best I was shooting for 2nd in my age group.  

To be honest, at this point I knew I was already pushing too hard.  The pace should've been easy, but it wasn't coming easily.  Mile 2 came in at 8:50.  Consistent but disappointing.  But I was conserving energy, right?

Despite the freezing (or near freezing temperatures) the running and air temperature were perfect. In the first quarter mile of the race, however, the bridge had a very slippery sheen of ice on it.  Fortunately that was the only complaint I had about the course.  Little did I know, I also had a bit of a tailwind to start the race.

As we sped our way south near the Sandy Golf Course, I couldn't help but hope that the course was short.  News flash it wasn't.  I was just so cooked and I was working hard.  I felt like I was running 8:15 or so, but the effort was closer to 9 minute per mile.  

Finally I saw the 2nd aid station and the 10K turn around.  It was at 3.10 miles and I just wanted the race to end.   My pace was now in the 9 minute per miles and what should've been an easy 2-hour half marathon pace was now a gut buster.

I was frustrated with myself and I should've been able to pick up the pace.  And now, I had a bit of a headwind to contend with.

I saw maybe one person ahead of me who might me in my age division but in a way, I was beyond caring.  My time was rubbish, I hated running, I am going to quit racing -- you know the drill. My head was telling me I was running 8:15's but my body was shuffling along at 9+ minute miles.

Mile 4 saw more degradation to my time.

On the plus side, seeing the outgoing 10K runners spurred me on a bit and once in a while I'd overtake someone.  I had about a 3-minute buffer of when I started and when the race actually began.  So I really didn't have a clue as to where I stood with other people.  My goal at this point was to try and rebound.

My tendon was causing problems, but nothing that would stop me.  I know it does impact my push-off but I'd be using that as a lame excuse to my race time today.

I kept working on biting off chunks of the course.  Get to mile 4. Get to the 5K turn around.  Get to 1 mile left.  Just little milestones to keep my head in the game.  I was using every trick in the book.

Mile 5 came along and it wasn't much better than 4.  Why was this so hard today?  I had been training at 8:15 pace all winter.

Frustration was mounting and I really wanted to just stop and walk.  An occasional runner passed me, but for the most part, I didn't have anything to worry about in regards to my placing except to hold on.

Mile 6 was the slowest yet: 9:22.  Please let's just end this race.

I couldn't even really muster a final push in the final quarter mile. I had nothing. The last quarter mile was dotted with spectators and I used their motivation to push me forward.  I did straighten up my form for the camera people and sped under the OnHillEvents arch and I finally completed the 10K race.

Conclusion

So the writing on my race performance was already predicted before I completed my first 100 yards.  I had a lot of things going against me:

1) I was not in peak shape.  The last 3 - 4 weeks my running has felt flat and uninspired.

2) I wasn't really in the mood to race / run hard

3) I have an injury (that sort of flared up in the race but ultimately effects my push-off)

4) My last 3 - 4 races have resulted in slower times than predicted.

I do feel like something is wrong.  Either I am over-trained, dealing with some sort of physical problem, or struggling with the effects of aging.  

I grabbed my medal and found a seat away from other people and just sat there -- disappointed.  Where was all my hard earned fitness that I had banked over the winter?

Glad to be done!

Eventually I composed myself, and wandered amongst people -- congratulating my fellow competitors and checking in with friends.  I also grabbed my camera and got photos of people.  I've had bad races in the past and I'll have them again in the future but a string of them is hard to swallow.

The weather had been threatening rain, sleet and snow but we caught a break.  For a brief moment during the race it had snowed but it wasn't anything to be concerned about.  I had brought some extra clothes to the finish line and the jacket I had got me through to the awards ceremony.  I had gotten 2nd in  my age group -- my competitor 1st.  I was hoping he'd take the top 3 and I think at one point he was in the top 3 (which would've put me in 1st).

Post race refreshments were bananas (very green), cheese strings, oranges and granola bars.  Pretty much standard fare.  There were 3 aid stations for the 10K (you hit the 5K one twice).  

Other than the start, the race was well organized.  The mile markers were spot on, the course measured up, plenty of marshals and markings on the course to indicate directions to run (which I already knew, having run the course many times).

The medals were nice too.  A pretty nice St Patrick's Day theme medal.  The shirt was also cool, although I am not a fan of the cotton blend shirts.  

So what comes next? I am not sure.  There were times in this race where I seriously wanted to retire from racing -- and even running. I put in a lot of work over the winter and my first serious race went very well -- and subsequently the rest -- not so much.  Just a steady decline into the abyss.

I'll have to sort things out.  The obvious factors are that I am probably burned out and two the tendonitis issue is holding me back.

Fortunately, I have a bit of a break coming up from racing. I may take some time to regroup.

Upcoming Races

03/22: 2025 Vineyard City Gold Rush 5K -- Vineyard, UT (Confirmed)

04/26: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/10: 2025 Run Farmington 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2022 Lucky 13 10K Race Recap - West Jordan, UT

Official Time: 48:43
Placement: 1st in the 50-55 15th overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: 45F, 15mph winds from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021] [2019] [2018] [2014]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:12	Hemmed in a bit but tucked in and biding my time with the headwind
2	8:12
3	8:11	Consistency
4	7:59	Got some nice tailwind here. Can I take advantage of it?
5	8:13	Quarter mile here of into the wind. Sort of sucked the life out of me.
6	7:58	Crushing it to the finish
	Total Miles: 6.00 - 48:46

Introduction

During the Black Friday sales around Thanksgiving time, I wound up signing up for the Lucky 13 race - a St Patrick's Day themed race (of sorts).  I've done it pretty much every year since it's inception (It took a break it would seem after the inaugural 2014 race).   It is a local race that is held at a local shopping area in West Jordan -- just a few miles down the road from where I live.  

The course itself is held on the Jordan River Bike Trail and I'll be honest, I've run along the trail more times than I can count.  It is actually my training ground.  It seems weird to pay for a race that I can run on at any time but as someone who loves to race, it is like competing on my "home" court.  On the plus side, as well, there is no course anxiety -- I know it and where it goes.

The Race

I wound up getting my bib the day before the race. The packet pickup was at the Gardner Village shopping center. Running there was a bit of a shakeout run -- 1.5 miles each way.  It helped me avoid the lines and any stress about getting my bib / shirt.

I showed up about 45 minutes before the race, parked and went to the race start.  Normally, the race starts and finishes at a common area in the mall.  But the city is doing sewer work and the walkway from the center to the bike trail was blocked off.

The race started at a clearing about .15 miles from the normal start of the race.  It was windy and chilly but temperature-wise -- great running weather.  Also, unlike last year, the air was dry and not a downpour.  I missed the clean bathroom that the shopping center provided, and I am also happy the air and ground were dry.  It could've been a quagmire.

There were 3 races: 5K, 10K, and half marathon.  The half started at 9 AM and each other race started 15 minutes later.  My 10K started at 9:15 and I was off and running after a very brief warm-up.

I half figured that today wasn't going to be a personal record day.  It was too windy, but I could make a good effort and see what sort of time I could turn in.  My goal was to go out at a dedicated 10K pace (low 8's) and then give it all I had on the way back with the tailwind.

The wind, while strong, wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  However, I was running with a fellow who was a bit bigger than me and running a little faster.  I wound up tailing him for a the first mile or 2 -- using him as a shield.  The strategy seemed to work -- holding onto a 8:12 pace for the first two miles.  I couldn't ask for a better time as far as what I wanted to accomplish.

The course is run along the Jordan River Parkway and is a paved, multi-use bike trail.  You are surrounded by scrub, shrubs and of course the north-flowing Jordan River.  It isn't the most scenic course, but it does have its charm -- and it is as flat as it can be.

However, all good things must end and eventually the runner started to pull ahead.  I was really hurting as I approached mile 3.  The wind had taken a lot out of me and the pace was now getting harder.  I couldn't wait to turn around.

The turn around was at the 2nd age station.  I was a little dismayed that it was at 3.03 miles.  I think if the course had been run from the shopping center, it would've been close to a legit 3.10 miles.

As soon as I turned around, the wind stopped and I felt a sense of renewed energy. Finally! 

It was empowering to get some cheers and greets from the 10K runners behind me.  I didn't see anyone in my age group (from my best guesses) anywhere close to me.  But still, I've been wrong about age before and while the last few miles I didn't see another person behind me, I still wanted to try and catch the runner ahead of me.

I did hit a stretch of head wind around mile 4.25.  It seemed like the longest half mile as I ran west near the Sandy City Golf Course.  The wind had been blowing form the south and also evidently from the west.  There was absolutely no way to take shelter.  Hence my mile 4 to 5 time is a bit of a dip.

I knew I was getting close to the finish when I got to the 5K turn around.  I was working on navigating my way through the multitude of 5K runners.  It was also encouraging to speed past the 5K participants.  As a racer, I really do enjoy feeling like an "elite" athlete -- although I am anything but of course.

The final mile I was pushing hard.  While I knew the course was short and no one was behind me, I knew I could calculate what a "real" 6.2 mile race would equate to.  I was loving the tailwind and I was still feeling strong, despite some occasional moments when I thought my heart would jump out of my chest.

Finally I jumped over the final bridge and hauled it to the finish line.  It was a bit disheartening to see that the finishing arch had come down  -- presumably from the wind but I crossed in 48:43 for 6 miles.

Looking a little windblown.

Conclusion

It is never really satisfying not to know your time for an official course.  But running calculators estimate my finishing time of 50:30-ish.  You just never know what final push I could muster up to shave a few more seconds off of it.  This is definitely a sold performance -- despite the difficult circumstances.

Either way, I finished first in my age group and 15th overall.  And to be honest, I felt fantastic when I finished.  Sure I was tired, but I still felt like I had run a nice race -- my splits were the most consistent they've been in a long time.

Post race refreshments included drink and ice cream sandwiches and fruit.  It was chilly but I managed to get 2 100 calorie ice creams down.  My car was parked a bit away, but I trekked over to it and grabbed warmer clothes and my phone.  By the time I got back, awards were being doled out.  

I really like the finisher / awards medals.  They are heavy and well designed. I love t-shirts, but I like the 100% polyester ones.  This was a blended one.  It will go into my St Patrick's themed race shirts collection (I have a ton of them).

Overall, I was happy with my experience.  $30 for a supported / timed 10K race isn't a bad deal.  It was also fun and I got to see a bunch of local running friends.  I'll likely run this race again next year.

2019 Lucky 13 10 KM Race Recap - West Jordan, UT

Official Time: 50:31
Placement: 1st in the 45-49
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 30's at start, low 40's at finish. No wind, sunny
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2018] [2014]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:23	Really hemmed in at the start. Surprised at the overall result here
2	8:11	Zooming along here
3	8:22	Come on turn around...
4	8:22	Very consistent
5	8:21	Another surprising mile. Figured I'd be slower
6	8:31	Running out of gas
6.04	0:18
	Total Miles: 6.04 - 50:31

Introduction

Around the start of the year I got sent a blast e-mail which offered some pretty good discounts on various OnHillEvents for the year of 2019.  I had done the race last year and it is just a short 2 mile drive from my house.  So it was a pretty easy decision to do this one.

Last year, though, I had dug myself into a bit of a racing hole.  I had done WAY too many half marathons.  I think in the early spring I did about 6 or 7 half marathons in the span of 7 weeks.  Mid way through I was feeling beat up and this year I didn't want to have a repeat.

So I've dialed it back a bit this year and opted for the 10KM this -- and boy I am glad I did.  I definitely don't feel as run down as I did last year.

The Race

I had picked up my bib the night before, so the whole process of getting ready for the race was as easy as it gets.  I got there just shy of 8:30 for the 9 AM start.  I circled around and took some photos, used the rest room (funny how I have to go even after a 2 minute drive from my house) and then did some drills to warm up.

It was kind of chilly and I opted to run in shorts, 2 shirts, and throw away gloves.  I also ran with sunglasses and a hat.  It was perfect, although I got a little warm mid way through the race despite the upper 30's / lower 40's running weather.

The race started a little late, but no biggie.  Joseph the race director had said he had a big turnout and he wasn't kidding.  Last year, the number of runners were kind of thin.  This year, he had a good contingent of them.  

I inched my way to the front but not too close.  From previous race experiences on this course, the race gets pretty jammed at the start but opens up soon enough.  It all depends upon how many newcomers there are that sort of start up at the front.

I hadn't done much of a warm-up before the race so I sort of eased my way into the first mile.  In some ways I was glad to be hemmed in because it forced me to ease into the race.

The race is held on the Jordan River Bike trail, which is my stomping ground for training.  However, I live about 2 miles north of the starting line and I almost run north when I run on it.  This race goes south and the bike trail is largely flat with no significant hills.  There are plenty of twists and turns but generally speaking -- you run south for 3.1(-ish) miles and then turn around.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the first mile go by fast.  I felt like I was running hard but not that hard.  I was worried I had started too fast and that the last 3 miles would be a crash and burn scenario.  Having just run a half marathon a week before, I knew that I had plenty of endurance.

The 10KM is such a nice distance.  It is a mix of hard running (speed) while still you need endurance to finish.  I was again surprised (and happy) to hit mile 2 even faster than mile 1.  I could feel a little bit of lactic acid building up in me but overall I felt good.  I was wearing my Saucony Fasttwich shoes and I actually felt light on my feet.  And, I was still working with other runners.

Just before the halfway point of any race -- particularly one with an out-and-back profile, I desperately can't wait to hit the turn around point.  It is a mental relief as well as I know how much more I have to go.

I do suspect that the 10KM runners were supposed to run through the 2nd age station and then turn around, but the aid station had their turn around sign there -- at about 3.02 on my Garmin.  I asked if we were supposed to turn around and the volunteers said yes.  Also, I noticed a few other runners turn around, so when in Rome....

I figured I was going to top 10 the race.  I didn't see anyone in my age group and there were only a handful of other runners ahead of me.  The leader of the race was well ahead, but I had a few people to work off of in front of me and a few chasing me from behind.

I was hurting by the time I got to mile 4 but still felt good.  I looked behind me and there were a few runners behind me but not lots.  So I wasn't too worried about losing my age group lock.  At 4.5 I went through the first aid station again and I was still holding a pretty solid pace.

The last mile did eventually catch up with me.  I had two runners trailing me and I was doing my best to hold them off.  One was a woman and the other turned out to be much younger man.  I think they were using me as a pacer and in the last .2 of a mile they both gunned by me and I had nothing left to give.

Also the final mile involves a lot of zig-zagging and tight turns.  There is also a very short but painful hill as you get into the parking lot of Gardner Village -- the boutique shopping area that hosts the race.

I tried catching them but they clearly had another gear in them.

I crossed the line in 50:32 (on my Garmin).  I talked to another runner who said he ran 6.10 miles.  The race was most likely short, so I am guessing on an officially measured course, I'd be just shy of 52 minutes.

Conclusion

I was pretty happy with my time.  I ran well and with the exception of the last mile, my splits were more less very consistent.  Usually I start out WAY too fast and then shuffle through the finish line.  With all my endurance training, it is nice to step down to a shorter distance.

I grabbed my finisher's medal and I wasn't too surprised to see I had won the 45 - 49 age division (last year the half marathon in my age division was super stacked).

I wound up socializing with several runners after the race.  We were all commenting about how nice the weather was.  I kind of wish the weather remained this nice throughout the year.  It was absolutely perfect for a fast run.

The post race refreshments included sports drink, candy, oranges, sandwiches, bananas and of course Fat Boy Ice Creams.  I wound up loading up on those... they taste absolutely heavenly after a race.

I don't remember exactly what I paid for the race, but since I was early it was pretty cheap.  I definitely got my money's worth.  The shirt was nicely designed although it was another cotton / polyester blend.  I am not sure what to make of them as I definitely prefer the 100% polyester shirts for training.  I'll wear it, but probably not for racing.

While the course isn't unique or new, it is a fast one and I enjoy it.  There is something comforting about knowing just about every twist and turn on a course.

I am just pretty happy with the results and I hope this streak continues.