2022 Winter Striders 10K Race Recap - Ogden, UT

Official Time: 54:36
Placement: 3rd in the 50 - 54, 33rd overall
Results: Here
Race Website:Here
Weather: Mid 40's -- no wind.
Garmin Dump:  Here

Previous Years:  [2017] [2016] [2015]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:10	Decent start -- some rolling hills.
2	9:21	Okay already things are getting hard
3	9:21	Not letting up at all
4	7:36	If only the race was like this the entire time. Fast downhill.
5	9:44	Did a flat loop and then have to climb back up a steep hill.
6	9:54	80% of this mile was up hill. I actually did pretty well.
6.07	0:29	Downhill to the finish. Last quarter mile or so was fun.
Total Miles: 6.07 - 54:37

Introduction

It's been a while since I've been to Ogden to run one of their race series.  Half a decade ago, I was a regular at their races.  The past couple of years though, I've had race conflicts, Covid-delays, or just too many races and not enough recovery to make the drive up there and participate.

This past weekend, I didn't have a race on my calendar.  I had some options -- drive down to Southern Utah and participate down there or sit it out.  I wanted to race but didn't want to spend the money and make the drive to Southern Utah -- having just been down there 2 weeks ago.

I had resigned myself to not racing and getting in a training run, which I was fine with.  However, I started hitting up some of my friends for ideas and discovered that the Winter Striders had their 10K.  I figured why not -- an easy drive, get the race done and maybe grab some food up there.  Sounded like a fun morning.  So I fired up the old web browser and signed myself up.

The Race

So the race is part of the Ogden Marathon series.  They have a 5K, 10K, half marathon and 30K designed to train you for the Ogden Marathon.  They also have a short course for those doing the half marathon.  In the past, they were well attended and extremely competitive.

I hadn't been there for a race of theirs (other than the Ogden Marathon) in quite some time.  The 10K course had changed and I noticed a bit less people.  Also there were no age group awards for this race (only for the entire series).  The course, in my opinion, was a lot harder then the predecessor, but still enjoyable and scenic.

I got there at 7 AM for the 8 AM start, grabbed my bib, used the potties a few times and did a quick mile shake out run. It was chilly but not awful -- with no wind.  I wound up wearing shorts, thin gloves and a long-sleeved tech shirt.  I also tossed on my skullcap running hat.  I was pretty happy with my running choices.

The race started on time and I was off running.  I had studied the new course a bit and I definitely remembered the 10 mile race which I had run a few years ago.  This course shared some of the same streets -- so I knew I was going to be in for a challenging race.

Sure enough, the first mile included a lot of rolling hills.  I felt comfortable as I started the race and told myself to be patient.  I had some idea of how the course was laid out, but I had a few surprises coming at me.  I was very happy with an 8:10 first mile. But how much slower was I was going to go?

Mile 2 and 3 hurt -- badly. I knew I wasn't even going to come close to last week's blistering 10K time of 50:34.  The hills were relentless.  Occasionally, I was treated to a downhill section, but primarily we were climbing.  None of the hills were back breakers but they were definitely hills.  I was gassed and sort of saddened to see 9:21 miles pop up.  I was running faster than that for my half marathon!

Finally we got to the highest point of the race and I galloped down Skyline Drive.  A steep downhill section.  I was flying.  Another guy next to me thanked me for pacing him and I said hang on tight, we gotta go up this thing on the way back.  I don't think he believed me.

The views were beautiful and I nailed a 7:36 pace.  Wow!  The problem was that I had some extreme muscle soreness in my left lower lumbar.  It lit up the side of my hip and lower back.  It hurt.  I cursed to myself more than once.  I wanted to take advantage of the downhill more fully, but every downhill section it let me know it was upset with me.  

After making it to the bottom of the hill, we had to do a flat section.  My legs were pretty gassed and the issue with my back turned to a dull roar.  It actually wasn't bad when I was running uphill or the flats.  And I was still holding a decent pace for the flat sections.  My endurance was still good.

However, the final 2 miles were all up the hill I had hit a 7:30 on, on the way down.  The first section around mile 4.25 was the worst and it seemed like everyone was walking or huffing and puffing hunched over.  I just worked on my turnover, kept a good form and worked my way up the hill.

The course was a loop and it was great to receive some cheers from those making their way down the hill.

At this point, I knew the way back to the finish line and I knew what lay ahead.  The hill -- that lasted well over a mile -- got a bit easier the further I ascended.  I could almost smell the finish line from about half a mile away and my turnover quickened.  I still had plenty left despite some fatigue in my legs.

Upon cresting the hill, I had a section of mostly flat / downhill.  Collectively, the runners around me sped up and our 9:45 pace suddenly dipped back into "real" 10K pace. 

There were no age group awards and I hadn't participated in the 5K race for this, so I wasn't eligible for any awards.  But still, my ego was on the line.  I pressed onwards and smashed the last quarter mile.  I flew under the finish line -- not feeling totally dead, but relieved I had gotten through this race.

Conclusion

So I ran a 54:30 -- a full 4 minutes slower than last week's flat race.  Granted, this race -- according to my Garmin had 700+ feet of elevation climb.  And the elevation was a bit higher.  Definitely not conducive for a personal record race.

None the less, harder races build character and everyone else had to run the same course as I did.  I sort of checked around what other people usually ran a 10K in and my time was in line with what others who finished near me were capable of.

The race set me back $33.  I got a t-shirt, a timed race with results, course support, and coffee / Hostess products at the end.  It was also a fun time with great weather.  I had registered the week of the race, so I wasn't expecting any bargains.  Overall, I was happy with my experience.

After the race I socialized and checked in with a variety of people and just enjoyed the crisp morning air. I didn't know anyone there -- I don't usually race much in Ogden, but runners tend to be a social bunch, so it was easy to chat other people up.

I am at a loss to say whether I ran well compared to other times I've done this race.  The 3 other times are easily comparable.  But this route only shared maybe 40% of the original 10K.  In looking at previous races, it would seem that there was less elevation climb than this one.  Still, it's hard to compare definitively.  

I am just happy to finish strong and get in a tough run in.  The hills build character!  Now, I just need to fix my back!

2018 Winter Striders Half Marathon Race Recap - Huntsville, UT

Official Time: 2:01:39
Placement: 11th male in the 45 - 49, 127th overall out of
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid to upper 40's, light drizzle
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2016] [2015]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:19	Fast start because of a downhill
2	8:32
3	8:31
4	8:32	Felt really sore / stiff and wrapping up the downhill
5	8:45	On to the flats. I knew at this point the race was going to be a long one
6	8:44
7	8:59	Kind of a dull stretch here
8	9:10
9	9:17	Start with some rolling hills. At least the finish line is "only" 4 miles away
10	9:41
11	10:28
12	10:21	Rolling hills to the finish. Totally dead legged here
13	10:39
13.12	1:39	Thank goodness
Total Miles: 13.18 - 2:01:41

Introduction

Last year I had paid for a 5 race deal -- basically I got 5 races for $150 or so.  One of the races, the half marathon in the series, was rained out due to torrential rain.  So this year I had the opportunity to get a savings on the entire series again or run this year as a "make-up". I didn't sign up for the series this year on account I've been doing a few different races so I took advantage of a free weekend to do this race.

This race is put on by the fine folks who run the Ogden Marathon.  It is part of their winter racing series that is geared to get you ready to run the Full or Half Marathon in late May.  The theory behind it is that if you can do the race series, you'll be in good shape to do the event in May. 

They discount the race pretty well, especially if you sign up for the package deal.  I've done the series before and love them.

The Race

This year threatened to be another rainy edition.  Luckily the weather gods gave us a brief reprieve from the dire predictions of having to run a soggy half marathon. When I woke up on Saturday morning (I had totally set my alarm wrong -- so I could've slept right through it) I was anticipating the race to be canceled.

I looked outside and it wasn't raining and the weather forecast indicated a light mist up north.  I had gotten up a little past 4 AM, ate and was out the door by 4:45.

I had packed just about anything I needed the night before, so I had a whole arsenal of running stuff, just in case.  It was kind of funny actually.

I was one of the first to show up and managed to get a parking spot and grab my bib.  They were out of shirts my size so one is coming in the mail.

I had about 15 - 20 minutes to kill before the buses loaded at 6:45.  They had ample bathrooms at the finish and I took advantage of those.  Around 6:55 or so, we took a 20 minute (or so) bus ride to the top.

I apologize for a lack of photos.  I was afraid of a downpour up there (it was drizzling / misting) and I didn't want to ruin my camera.  In short, it was comfortable up there and I only had about 40 minutes to kill, which I did easily by cycling through the bathrooms and chatting up other runners.  I had also carpooled with a runner friend of mine, so I was definitely not lonely.

The race started at 8:05 as there was a technical issue with the timing at the finish.

The first 4 miles or so of this road race are downhill.  You are running near a roaring creek and it is just an awesome place to run.  Check the photos from previous editions for pictures. 

Almost immediately, I felt off.  My legs were sore and my stomach clearly wasn't happy.  Like, let's just pull off to the side of the road, throw up and get it over with.  I took advantage of the gentle downhill but I knew I was going to likely be in a world of hurt by the end of the race.  In some ways, I just didn't want to race today.

By mile 5 my stomach wasn't happy and I was almost considering dropping out.  I just felt like s*t.  It wasn't sickness, it was just overall tiredness.  It took a lot for me to keep going but I knew I didn't want to wimp out and I wanted the cool medal at the end.

This year's course was changed a little from previous editions.  It also seems the Eden / Huntsville area has done a lot more with their bike trail system that hugs Pineview Reservoir.  Despite my aching legs and the shuffle I was doing I was trying to enjoy the beautiful views.

There wasn't much wind to speak of and a little mist kept me fairly cool.  I had worn gloves, shorts and double tech shirts.  I could've stuck with one shirt and been fine.

I wasn't doing much passing after the 7 mile point.  In fact, I was getting passed by a lot of people.  Clearly, my legs weren't having it.  I tried a gel at mile 5 and that perked me up some, but it didn't solve my problems.  I carried my own fluids and used the ample aid stations, but I don't think it was a dehydration problem.  I've just done WAY too much racing / running of late.

The last 3 miles or so consist of rolling hills along the bike trail.  You have the lake on your left and a little bit of road traffic to the right.  I really wish I had more pictures -- it was just a beautiful day for a run despite the absence of sun.

I thought about walking at this point but I told myself this wasn't an "A" race for me and just to get through it.  Eventually, each step I took would bring myself closer to the finish line despite the burning sensation in my legs.

I was never so happy to see the finish line and I sort of shambled over it, grabbed my medal and gear while hunkering down to wait for my carpool partner.  At this point, the rain had picked up considerably.  It wasn't a down poor but it was clearly raining (I think the race photographer bailed out at this point too).

Conclusion

Well, this was my 5th half marathon in 6 weeks.  I wasn't expecting much here at all with this race.  All week I've felt flat and just downright sore and exhausted.  There are some life issues going on and I have just worn myself out with running 40+ mile weeks and capping each week off with a half marathon.

My performance was okay.  I was hoping for a 1:55 as this is a fast course, especially the first 5 - 6 miles. However, I knew I'd be lucky to break 2:00 given the fatigue in my legs.  I figured that a great racing performance wasn't in the cards within the first mile or two.

The race had a ton of snacks and good coffee at the end.  I grabbed a coffee and a protein drink and mingled with the runners.  I talked with some of the stud runners there and they gave me some tips (lose weight).

Overall, I loved the course and organization, as usual, was top notch.  Just wish I had been in a more competitive mode to run well here.

2017 Winter Striders Race Circuit 30K Race Recap - Eden UT

Official Time: 2:54:02
Placement: 82nd out of 205, 6th in the 45 - 49 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 30's at start, mid to upper 40's at finish with mild N/NE wind
Garmin Route: Here

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:10	Not sure what I had, so started out fairly easy
2	9:28	Dirt road uphill.
3	9:19	Some more hills here. Nothing major though.
4	8:50	Nice downhill. Very surprised. Paused watch somewhere around here for bathroom break
5	9:01	Solid pace
6	9:08	Feeling in control
7	9:12
8	9:25	Starting to feel a little fatigued
9	9:17
10	9:27	Have to hit the bathroom... searching for one.
11	9:03	Pause the watch to hit the restroom
12	8:48
13	9:06	Crossed the half way point feeling good.
14	9:42	No more downhill, running by myself, and my legs officially are feeling "it"
15	10:23
16	10:25	Grind to the finish
17	9:56	Tail wind and slight downhill on the dirt road back
18	10:55	Rolling hills to the finish. Can't wait to be done
18.09	0:54
Total Miles: 18.09 - 2:51:34*

* paused watch during bathroom breaks.

Introduction

First off, I know it isn't terribly bright of me to schedule a full marathon on one weekend and then a 30K the following weekend.  But I signed up for the Salt Lake City Marathon over a year ago and in December I signed up for the Winter Striders Race Circuit -- a package where you pay about $125 and you get to run in 5 races (5K, 10K, 10M, Half and a 30K).  I had done the 5K and 10K, but missed the 10M on account I was running the March Madness Half Marathon down in Boulder City, NV.

The Half Marathon was rained out so basically I *had* to run the 30K to even come close to getting my money's worth.  Also, they had a deal that if you ran at least 13 miles, sent them a Garmin dump, you would get your 13.1 medal.

So how could I say no?

Also, I love the 30K course.  The Pineview Reservoir / Eden / Huntsville area is so awesome and beautiful at this time of year.

So with tired legs I was just going to mail this one in.  If I ran well, great, if I didn't, well I was going in with dead legs and I doubted very much that today was going to be a magical day as far as running goes.

Clear and beautiful skies in Eden Utah

The Race

I got up at 5:00 AM, grabbed some breakfast, saddled up and headed out the door.  I had been worried all week that the race was going to be rainy.  We've had a little bit of everything weather-wise (even snow) but the weatherman promised clear skies on Saturday.  He didn't disappoint.

It was a little windy though as I made the hour plus drive to Ogden / Eden.  I was hoping it wouldn't be too awful -- you just never know what you are going to get in the canyons.

I rolled in just shy of 7 AM and grabbed my bib.  I made a quick stop to the bathroom and sat in my car for a bit.  I made another trip to the bathroom and got in line for the race.

A lot of people were bundled up.  I went with two tech shirts (one long-sleeved and one short), a hat, sunglasses and shorts.  I also wore some throw away gloves, which I wound up wearing the entire race.  I was completely comfortable and at some point, I was a little upset that I had worn two shirts.

I didn't really know what I was going to do.  I had visions of walking the latter miles of the race.  I had run minimally throughout the week and had some tiredness, fatigue, and some aches and pains for the marathon.  I even wondered if I would run 3 miles and then call it a day and hoof it back.

Spoiler alert:  Luckily, none of those things happened.  I actually maintained a fairly decent pace up until mile 14.

The first couple of miles I went out super conservative.  I always have a hard time holding back.  I wish the first few miles of every race were as easy feeling as the last few.  But they never are.

I felt like I was going a ridiculously easy despite the rolling hills and gentle uphills. It was just a beautiful day and I was enjoying running without the pressure of going for a time.  So I was a little surprised to see myself running low 9 minute miles.

Some of the awesome views

Around mile 4 I realized I had to make a bathroom stop.  I don't know what it is.  I went about 10 minutes before the race's start but it seems like every race now I've got to go.  So I did lose about 20 - 30 seconds in the porta potty.

I recognized most of the route from last year and as the race progressed I was reminiscing about all the previous times I've run the race.  There are a few quaint and quiet streets that have babbling brooks and majestic houses.  I so wanted to stop and take a picture or two, but to be honest, I thought I was making a pretty good pace and didn't want to slow down.

I was so thankful to reach the half way point.  Sure my legs were a little tired but overall I was feeling good.

Around mile 11 I had to make an emergency pit stop.  I think the Korean food I had had for lunch yesterday was deciding to finally trouble me.  I was starting to eyeball some bushes.  However, I knew a bathroom was coming up.

The much needed porta potty was in site when I saw about half the runners continue going straight -- towards the bathroom and a handful make a left and go down a side street.  I certainly didn't remember any turns from the previous year.  Had the wind blown a sign?  The side street looked like it hooked east and the finish line was to the east.  The mile markers had been off consistently throughout the race and had my doubts as to whether to make the turn.

I followed the folks in front of me and kept going straight.  Mostly the bathroom was my #1 target.  I made it to the bathroom with barely time to spare and took care of business.

I heard some of the runners who had followed me questioning one of the volunteers if we were supposed to turn.  He didn't think we were supposed to.  So I felt good about my decision to not turn.

Around mile 14 my legs suddenly went to lead.  I was running solo at this point and occasionally catching the walking half marathon person from the "short" race.  I knew the rest of the race was some uphills.  I had done pretty well up until this point and was pleased but I hated to suddenly run out of gas.

I was greedily gulping my Tailwind and I was knew I was kind of dehydrated.  I was occasionally greeted by a passing runner (I was picking off very few at this point except for the 3 hour half marathon walker / runners).  I would periodically commiserate with my fellow runners and asked if they had taken the "weird" turn.  Some sad they had, others said it wasn't on the map and others say they ran part of it.  Disclosure alert:  I did check the map after the race and we were supposed to make the turn... sigh...

Conclusion

I wound up crossing the finish line around 2:54.  Definitely slower than last year but this year I definitely was at half strength.  I didn't beat myself up too badly for the slower time.  I was more upset about not really completing the official course.  I know I am not the only one but it certainly explains why I came up short in terms of mileage.

I was really "done" by the end.  I had been doing a shuffle the last mile and I was super happy to just stop running.  I grabbed two medals -- one for the 30K and one for the half marathon that I missed.  I kept doing more surveys asking how many people took the weird turn (probably about 50% said no).  So I didn't feel too badly about missing it.  It certainly wasn't on the course last year.

I grabbed some drinks and wound up making a lot of small talk with various runners.  I know the race director and I spent some time chatting with her.  I didn't really recognize anyone, but I wound up having good chats with a variety of people -- most who were astounded I was running a 30K race the week after doing a marathon.

That is the great thing about the running scene.  We have instant friends at every race.

Overall I was happy to do this race.  I love the course and the medals were heavy duty.  This race series is a bargain.... About $125 for 5 fully supported races.

The mile markers were really off.  I forget when they started to be off, but I'd pass by mile 4 and my Garmin would reach mile 3.75.  Also mile 17 was over 2 mile from the finish line.  So the markings were off.

Post race refreshments consisted of a Pepsi vendor supplying some cold drinks, Gatorade, and fruit / donuts.  Typical post race fair.

I recovered okay and then went out to eat.  I did stop by on the way down the canyon to take a picture of a waterfall.  With all the rain and snow we've had, the Ogden River was in full force.  This is just one of the beautiful stops you can run by when you run the Ogden Marathon.

2017 Winter Striders 10K Race Recap - Ogden, Utah

Official Time: 55:18
Placement: 7th in age group, 90th overall
Results: Here
Race Website:Here
Weather: Lower 20's, slight southern wind
Garmin Dump:  Here

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:28	Sluggish start but second half of this mile is downhill
2	7:39	Couldn't jet down the massive downhill.  Slippery conditions
3	8:29	Some climbing here mixed with downhill. Felt flat though. Nice mile
4	8:57	Some climbing here. Mostly flat but conserving energy
5	10:30	This is where things get tough. Nearly 200 feet of climbing
6	10:02	Another 140 feet of climbing. Tiny bit of downhill at the end
6.17	1:13	Mostly downhill here. Not much left in the tank
Total Miles: 6.17

Introduction

Like last year, I signed up for the Ogden Marathon Winter Race Series.  This is a race series designed to get you race ready for the Ogden Marathon or Half Marathon.  For one low price, you get 5 races, a 5K, 10K, 10M, Half marathon and 30K.  So it works out to be a pretty nice deal.

Today's race was the 10K.

I had hopes I'd do well.  I felt like I've turned the corner with my cold and despite a lackluster week of training, I felt like I could make a decent showing.

I was a little worried upon getting there though.  The week had started out fairly warm and spring like, however, as the week wore on, it got colder -- like 21F-ish colder.  Couple that with the fact that it had snowed a bit.

Being that this course is hilly I was worried about slipping.  Even on the way into pick up my bib I slipped a little on the driveway around the Dee Events Center.

About 30 minutes before the race. Looking slick

The Race

The 10K is really not an easy race.  Like the 5K, it has a lot of hills.  The race starts with a gentle ascent that if you aren't ready for, will leave you breathless (also considering you are at 4500 feet).  However, once you get to about the half mile mark the fun starts.  You are greeted with a fantastic downhill.

I was really nervous about taking the downhill fast.  By the time the race had started, the road conditions weren't as bad as the picture above, but it was still slick looking.  While I wasn't feeling any slipperiness underfoot I didn't want to be the first to fall flat on my face.

So I was definitely braking on the downhills.

I ran the first 5K in about 25:19, which for me was about where I wanted to be.  I felt good for the most part, but I think last week's half marathon and the fact that I am still struggling to breath a bit from my cold.  

I dialed it back a bit but I felt like I was making okay progress.  I knew the hardest part of the race was coming up as well.  All the downhills we had would now have to be made up.

Starting at about mile 4.5, the monkey is on your back and it is almost a straight climb back to the starting line.  I knew it was going to be tough, and I felt a little empowered by passing some of the people who were walking (or those who had run the short course).  But I really didn't have a lot here and even at the end, when it is mostly downhill, I couldn't turn on the jets.

Conclusion

After crossing the finish line, I grabbed a cup of coffee and thankfully they had a few donut holes (thanks JS!)  My hands were frozen due to me wearing paper-thin gloves, but the rest of me was fine.  I was definitely chilled though and I was one of the few in shorts.

I was really disappointed with my time.  I do realize the conditions were tough and I was under the weather, but I was really hoping to get very close to last year's time (52 and change).

I lingered around a bit a trying to figure out what to do with myself.  I had visions of going hiking or going to Crystal Springs.  I wound up going out for breakfast at the Cafe Ville Bella.  I had wanted to go there last time I had raced in Ogden but they hadn't opened.  Had a huge breakfast and it was close by to the race.  Always fun trying something new!

2017 Winter Striders 5K Race Recap - Ogden Utah

All smiles after the race

Official Time: 25:31
Placement: 8th in the 45 - 49 age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 30's, no wind
Garmin Dump: Here

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:16	Gentle downhill here. Hemmed in at the start
2	9:10	A bit of climbing
3	8:06	A little bit of a climb here but primarily downhill. Lots left in the tank.
Total Miles: 3.00 -  25:34

Introduction

Over the winter holidays I signed up for the Winter Striders Race Series.  Basically for about $130 you get 5 races: 5K, 10K, 10M, Half marathon and 30K.  The concept of this race is to get you trained and ready to run the Ogden Marathon.

It is a bargain considering you get 5 fully supported races for about $25 a piece.  You do get one shirt and 2 finisher medals (assuming you do the half and 30K).

Packet pickup early on

It is a bit of a drive from Murray to Ogden but I usually try to pair my adventures with other things up there to make it more worthwhile.

I did roll in around 7:10, plenty of time for the 8AM start.  I managed to snag my shirt and bib and use the flush toilets.  It is so nice to have shelter and a place to be fairly warm prior to the race start.

Around 7:22 I started my warm up -- and I felt like crap.  My legs were just dead and not responding.  Couple that with the fact that I had a head cold -- well let's just say I wasn't anticipating any PRs.   In fact, I was still a little hazy from the cough medicine I had taken the night before.  I was sort of regretting even showing up.

But I told myself to tough it out -- 3 miles is 3 miles and I can knock out that any day of the week.

Pre race conditions

The Race 

Last year when I did this race the roads were slick and it was hard to take advantage of any downhills.  We've had a bit of a heat wave (as far as Februaries go) and the roads were definitely not slick.  The weather was actually cooperating with having a fast race.

I went out in shorts, throw away gloves, and two tech shirts.  I was completely fine in this.  I saw a lot of people bundled up, but it wasn't that bad.

The first mile is actually fairly flat.  Looking at it, though there is about 60 feet of elevation climb.  I decided to take the first mile somewhat easy.  I remembered from last year that the course gets a lot more challenging in the second mile.

The crappy warm-up I had taken was forgotten and my legs thankfully remembered how to race a 5K.
The race is run through residential subdivisions (some appear to be very well-to-do).  There isn't a whole lot of visual appeal on this race.

The second mile -- especially the first half of it, is just nothing but up.  Everyone's easy pace suddenly got a lot more difficult.  There is about 175 feet of climbing and most of it is right away.  It felt like my legs were so heavy and it took everything I had not to walk.  People who I had been working off of were walking.  The hills are just that tough.

Once you summit the hills though you are rewarded with some super fast miles.  Here I was able to hammer the downhills without fear of falling.  I made up a lot of ground.  Although it was really hard to change gears once I got done with the delicious downhill and return to flats.

The last mile has some inclines as well, but it is primarily a downhill finish.  Usually I am dying in the latter half of a 5K but I still had plenty in the tank.

Conclusion

I was mildly surprised that I did as well as I did in this race.  I had forgotten how hard this race is.  The hills are killer.  But even considering the hills and not exactly feeling very well, I ran better than last year (okay, not by much, but definitely faster).

The course came up short this year in terms of mileage, but it was the same as last year.  I have a feeling that my Garmin lost contact a bit or I am getting really good at running tangents.

I grabbed some Gatorade and coffee and milled about a bit.  I did NOT recognize or know anyone at all.  I am friends with the race director, but I couldn't find her after the race either.

I grabbed some photos and changed in the bathrooms before heading out to Virgs Restaurant for breakfast.  Originally I had targeted a small cafe down the road, but they weren't open yet.   Virg's was a good choice -- they have a huge breakfast and at first I didn't think I was going to finish it, but I managed to put it all down.  I've had dinner before there but their breakfast is better.

Pancake was as big as my head

I totally expected not to do well in this race.  My warm-up was just awful and I thought for sure my morning was going to be one culminated by frustration.  It was just a bummer that this race fell on two other races -- I normally do the Valentine's Day race in Bountiful.

Either way, I have the 10K in two weeks, which is even more painful than the 5K in terms of hills.

2016 Winter Striders 30K Race Recap - Eden Utah

Me post race enjoying a Gatorade

Official Time: 2:46:36
Placement: 89th out of 288 - 9th in the 45 - 49 age group
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 50's at start, threatening rain, 10 - 20 mph winds from the south, south/west
Garmin Route: Here

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:43	A little fast.  Hundreds of us on a bike trail, so had to jockey for position
2	9:00	Rolling hills, but this is the pace I wanted to hit
3	8:59	Gradual climb
4	8:30	Nice gradual downhill... fastest mile of the day
5	8:59	Pack on pace. Had to stop and get rocks out of my shoes
6	8:51	Small climb but getting in the groove
7	9:00
8	9:05	Mostly flats.  Lots of wind here and it felt like it was getting warm
9	9:44	Bathroom break here easily cost me 30 seconds
10	8:51	Make up some of that time
11	8:53
12	8:53
13	9:12	On the flats with some head wind. Hit about a 1:57 half, about what I was targeting
14	9:20	Really hurting here.
15	9:34
16	9:46
17	9:20	Got a second wind on a dirt road with tail wind
18	9:51	Back to rolling hills.
18.21	1:56	Yes, it is supposed to be 18.6....
Total Miles: 18.21 - 2:46:36

Introduction

The Winter Stiders Circuit 30K race culminates their winter series.  Faithful readers know that around Christmas time I ponied up about a $100 for 5 races: a 5K, 10K, 10M, Half Marathon and the 30K. These races are set up to prepare you for the Ogden Full or Half Marathon.

In years past I've done various segments of the race, but I never did all the races in a year.  So despite some threatening weather I knew I had to complete the series.

I didn't have a whole lot of goals for this race.  Having a marathon in about 8 days I knew it wasn't my brightest idea to race 18 miles.  So while time is always important to me, I knew I wasn't going to be redlining it.  I ran the race last year in 2:40.  So I was sort of hoping that I could come in around that time range.

The course was slightly different from last year's edition.  Last year, the race started in Eden Park but being that they are offering a "short" course (about 12.5 miles) for those training for the half marathon and the long course (for those doing the full).  Unfortunately, I think they didn't adjust the course accordingly to make it a true 30K (more like 29K).

The Race

I rolled in just after 6:30 AM for the 7:30 start.  I grabbed my bib and an awesome parking spot.  I am glad I got there when I did because the school doesn't have a large parking lot but there was plenty of street parking.  I cycled through the bathrooms a time or two and debated on what to wear.  

Just before the race

The weather had predicted storms rolling in around 7 AM.  From the looks of the street it had just rained and the race director told me about an hour before I had gotten there they were talking about canceling the race.

Just before the race

I had brought clothing for just about any weather condition and I wound up going with shorts and a long sleeved tech shirt.  I had a Glad garbage bag in my pocket "just in case" and I had my 28 ounce running belt -- which I am glad I took.  

The race started at 7 AM and I took off running north.  It was crowded at the start.  They had told us all to run on the bike trail which is about 8 feet wide.  I wasn't in any hurry and at times I had to move around people, but within a mile I could run at my own pace.

I remembered a lot of the course from last year and soon the threat of rain was pretty much gone.  The clouds gave way to some sun.  While there was a stiff breeze / wind from the south and southwest, I was pretty warm.  Suddenly, I was praying for the rain.

I didn't feel the hills this week I was definitely soaking up the scenery.  Eden is a really nice place to run but the roads tend to be banked.  So it can lead to some IT-band problems.  Also I kept getting tiny pebbles in my shoes.  I think my shoes are worn down or have holes in them, so despite my best efforts, they let the little buggers in.  I had to stop about twice to empty them, losing precious seconds.

For the most part I was holding on to my low 9-minute per mile pace despite the wind and not a lot of spring in my legs.  

I wound up feeling pretty good at the 13 mile mark, but I was really worried if I was going to crash and burn at the end.  Some of the tail wind that I was enjoying early on in the race was suddenly in my face and I knew the last mile or so was rolling hills.

Mile 14 I started to feel a little hazy as I hit the main road back into Eden.  I noticed a lot of other people struggling here as well.  I would get passed by people and do some passing -- particularly those from the short course who started in a different location.

All sunny after the race

Once I got on the dirt road around mile 16 and saw that I had a gradual downhill, I picked up the pace.  I had been taking gels every 5.5 miles and I think I finally got a jolt from one.  Also, the road was wet so there was less dust and rocks that got in my shoes.

The last 2 miles of the race were a struggle.  I kept looking at my Garmin and realized that if this was going to be (more or less) an out-and-back course that I was only going to run 18.2 miles today, not 18.6 (which is a true 30K).  As the school, where we started, kept coming into view, I began to wonder if they were going to make us run a lap around it or if we were simply finishing there.  Again, I was hurting so I was happy to see that the finish line was going to be an 18.2 mile race.

Conclusion

After the race, I wound up grabbing some donuts and Gatorade and walked around a bit to cool down.  Since I had done the series, I knew a bunch of people and wound up making small talk with a bunch of them.  

This race was the smallest of the bunch but they had a good turnout for it.  Many people were ready to run Ogden next month while others had various races looming on their calendar.

It turned out to be a windy, but beautiful day for a run.  Running in Eden, despite the altitude, is really peaceful and as usual the Winter Striders group did a good job.  The volunteers knew what they were doing and most of the mile markers were spot on.  The course was also easy to follow and had police presence at critical intersections.  The bathrooms at the start were deluged but on the course, I had no problems getting into one.

I am a bit disappointed with my time.  Last year, I had a phenomenal race and I think the weather conditions were more ideal.  Also, I came into this race mostly just to log miles and complete the series.  Despite the shorter distance, I was about 7 miles slower than last year.  Not good.

At about $20 a race, this series is well worth it.  Although the drive is a bit far, I try to couple the trip up there with other activities.  This time I wound up eating at Beebop Korean BBQ in Ogden.  Pretty good stuff and definitely looked authentic.  At least it wasn't the Golden Corral.

Squid with rice

Beebop Korean BBQ - Ogden Utah